Analysis of Erikson's Stages and Human Services for Almeada's Case

This essay explores Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development, building upon Freud's psychosexual theory. It outlines each stage, from Trust vs. Mistrust in infancy to Integrity vs. Despair in old age. The essay then applies these stages to the case of Almeada, a 17-year-old mother facing challenges in a new environment, and analyzes her situation through the lens of Erikson's Identity vs. Role Confusion stage. It argues for the importance of human service delivery systems in supporting Almeada and her child. The essay also provides a brief overview of the early history of human services, highlighting the influence of the Church and the evolution of poor laws in England, emphasizing the provision of services for the mentally and physically impaired. The essay concludes by referencing key sources on Erikson's theory and the historical context of human services.

Running Head: ESSAY
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Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note:

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Explanation of the developmental stages of Erik Erikson
Influenced by the psychosexual theory of Freud, Erik Erikson developed eight stages
of development from psychosocial perspective (Cherry, 2018). According to the theory the
eight stages of psychosocial development are mentioned as follows –
 Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to 12 months of age) – infants can easily identify the person
to be trusted.
 Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (1 – 3 years) – toddlers develop the ability to explore the
world and learn to control their actions and gain the desired outcome.
 Initiative vs. Guilt (3 – 6 years) – The children develop the capability to take
initiatives for required activities and gain control over their social interaction.
 Industry vs. Inferiority (6 – 12 years) – In this stage children tend to visit elementary
schools and become capable to compare themselves with the peer group.
 Identity vs. Role confusion (12 – 18 years) – this is the period of adolescence where
children develop the sense of self.
 Intimacy vs. Isolation (20 – 40 years) – After developing the self, people tend to share
their lives with others by maintaining successful relation with others.
 Generativity vs. Stagnation (40 – middle of 60 years) – Generativity involves
contributing to develop the lives of others.
 Integrity vs. Despair (60 years onwards) – According to Erikson, people in this stage
feel proud of their accomplishments or regrets about their past lives.
Evaluation of the case of Almeada
Almeada and her baby need help as she has shifted into a new neighborhood and there
is no other member in her family to take care of the one-year old kid. From the personal
opinion, it can be stated that the human service delivery system can help her to manage the

2ESSAY
situation (Google Books. 2020). As it is their job to provide care and support the families
observed with the need of social and moral support. The reasons that can be considered as
Almeada’s inefficiency to manage the situation are –
 The study shows Almeada is 17 years old which determines that she belongs to stage
of Identity vs. Role confusion in Erikson’s developmental theory.
 She also struggles from identifying the right person to seek help for support.
 She was also observed with rehabilitative assistance soon after the birth of the baby.
The effective service of the human service delivery system will help Almeada to take care
the child even after ten years from the present situation. The ways of taking care of a baby
can be easily adopted by Almeada within these 10 years.
Early history of Human services
The Church plays influential role in the flourishing of human services. It was
depended on the practice of healing and retreating humanity with kindness (Guo, 2016). The
administrative unit of the “Old poor law” was the parish and made the single parisher as
responsible for poor law Legislation. The Elizabethan Poor Laws were initiated with the
services dedicated especially for the mental and physical impaired community (Williams,
2018). The increased number of such people in England and U.S was the driving force for the
provision of these services to help those people in need.

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References
Cherry, K. (2018). Erik erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Retrieved Juny, 5,
2018.
Google Books. (2020). An Introduction to Human Services (Book Only). Retrieved 4 April
2020, from https://books.google.com/books?
id=03PzAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=Almeada+and+baby+Anne&source=bl&ots=H
8xxAmFfNb&sig=ACfU3U2tiNPybKYBaORDXQP9a1T_JVkyKw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKE
wizv7a69MvoAhVlMX0KHWAgC1IQ6AEwB3oECA0QKQ#v=onepage&q=Almeada%20and
%20baby%20Anne&f=false
Guo, L. (2016). The History of the English Poor Law System.
Williams, S. (2018). Unmarried motherhood in the metropolis, 1700–1850: pregnancy, the
poor law and provision. Springer.