Im in the middle of a research paper discussing development of personality, specifically Freud and Erikson. I have googled many sites and been to my library at college. I'm struggling with how their two theories are similiar. I understand how they differ! Any direction you can point me in would be a huge help and greatly appreciated.
You'll find some similarities in this site.
http://psychology.about.com/library/bl/bl-freud-erikson-compared.htm
When comparing the theories of Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson regarding personality development, it may be helpful to focus on the stages of development they proposed and the key concepts they introduced. Here's a step-by-step approach to help you understand the similarities between their theories:
1. Review Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Development:
- Freud proposed five psychosexual stages: oral, , phallic, latency, and genital.
- Each stage is associated with a different erogenous zone and conflicts that need to be resolved.
- Failure to resolve conflicts at any stage can result in fixation and personality issues.
2. Familiarize Yourself with Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development:
- Erikson suggested eight psychosocial stages that span a person's lifespan, focusing on social interactions.
- Each stage presents a developmental task or crisis, which individuals must successfully overcome.
- Failure to resolve a crisis can lead to difficulties in later stages.
3. Identify Similarities between Freud and Erikson:
- Both theories propose that personality development occurs in defined stages.
- Both theories acknowledge the impact of early childhood experiences on later development.
- Both theories suggest that unresolved conflicts can have lasting effects on personality.
4. Examine the Role of Psychosexual and Psychosocial Stages:
- Freud's psychosexual stages and Erikson's psychosocial stages share some common themes.
- For example, during the oral stage (Freud) and the trust vs. mistrust stage (Erikson), the focus is on building trust and developing a sense of security.
- In the phallic stage (Freud) and the initiative vs. guilt stage (Erikson), both theories emphasize the development of a sense of identity.
5. Consider the Influence of Unconscious Processes:
- Freud emphasized that unconscious processes and early experiences shape personality.
- Erikson also recognized unconscious elements but focused more on social and cultural influences during each stage.
6. Explore the Importance of Conflict Resolution:
- Both Freud and Erikson highlighted the significance of resolving conflicts at each developmental stage.
- Successful resolution contributes to healthy personality development and adaptive functioning.
By following these steps, you should be able to identify the similarities between Freud and Erikson's theories. It's essential to compare their stages, key concepts, and the role of conflict resolution in order to gain a deeper understanding of how their theories intersect.