Research Objectives Research Significance

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B. Psychosocial Development Theory

Psychosocial is a term derived from the words ‘psychology’ and ‘social’. Psychosocial is coined by a Germany psychologist Erik Erikson 1902-1994. Just like any other psychologist at his time, Erik Erikson’s theory is greatly influenced by the famous physician Sigmund Freud and also the famous social scientist Karl Marx. But unlike Freud, Erikson mainly focuses on the psychological development of an individual based on hisher interaction with the social environment. One of the important points in psychosocial theory is that this theory deals with the developments of ego identity. Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that people develop through social interaction. The sense of ego identity is the accrued confidence that one’s ability to maintain inner sameness and continuity toward society and other people. Erikson, 1980:94 Ego identity is not stagnant; it is changing from time to time. The ego identity is affected by how a certain individual interacts with each others; his experience will be the cornerstone of how his ego identity will develop. In addition to ego identity, there is also a sense of competence that motivates behaviors and actions. The developments of ego identity are known better as Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Cherry 2008:13 states that psychosocial development theory is centered on what is known as the epigenetic principle, which proposes that people go through a 11 series of eight stages. At each stage, people face a crisis that needs to be successfully resolved in order to develop the psychological quality central to each stage. If by any chance a certain individual fails to completely resolve a certain stage, heshe would likely to develop a conflict or crisis. The eight stages of Erikson’s psychosocial development are: 1. Trust vs. Mistrust Trust vs. Mistrust is the first phase of Erikson’s psychosocial development. This stage occurs during the first or second year of life and the important point in this stage is trust. Erikson 1980:57 states that trust is an attitude toward oneself and the world derived from the experiences of the first year of life. Successfully resolving this stage will give a sense of trust, optimism, security and confidence. While the failure in obtaining the sense of trust will result in insecurity and a sense of mistrust. 2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt The second stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development occurs between 18 month and 3 years. Autonomy is the sense of self-rule while shame is a feeling that one is completely exposed and conscious of being looked at or in a word, self-conscious Erikson, 1980:71. This stage also known as the stage of exploring as the individual will realize that heshe has many abilities and skills such as walking or speaking the first language. This 12 exploring stage will result in the sense of independence and autonomy. If that certain individual able to resolve hisher independence in this stage, heshe will certainly become more confident and develop a sense of pride. If the individual fails to understand his sense of independence, he will become overly dependent upon others and feel a sense of shame. 3. Initiative vs. Guilt Initiative vs. Guilt occurs during age three to five. Around this age, children will begin their activities by playing games and such. In the process, the children will learn the sense of initiative and if they are not given the chance they also might revert in obtaining a sense of guilt. This stage is also the turning point where children come to realize about their gender curiosity. Erikson 1980:82 states that around this age the child develops the prerequisites for masculine and feminine initiative, that is for the selection of social goals and perseverance in approaching them. 4. Industry vs. Inferiority The danger at this stage is the development of a sense of inadequacy and inferiority Erikson, 1980:91. The stage of Industry vs. Inferiority occurs during the school age, between 6 to 11 years old. School is the key pint of this stage where the children will learn that they are now faced with academic demands. The success of this stage will result in the feeling of competence. If