Exploring Freud, Erickson, and Piaget's Theories on Development

This essay provides a concise overview of the human development theories proposed by Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, and Jean Piaget. It begins by individually describing each theory: Freud's psychosexual stages focusing on the id, ego, and superego; Erikson's psychosocial stages emphasizing social experiences across the lifespan; and Piaget's cognitive development stages highlighting children's evolving understanding of the world. The essay then compares and contrasts these theories, noting similarities such as the emphasis on developmental stages and the impact of early experiences, while also pointing out differences in their focus, such as Freud's emphasis on psychosexual development versus Erikson's focus on psychosocial development and Piaget's emphasis on cognitive development. The analysis also addresses concerns related to diversity and the limitations of these early theories in accounting for factors like race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Desklib offers a wealth of similar solved assignments and study resources for students.

Theories
Theories of human development
Freud theory
It has been observed that there are various theories in relation to human development. Freud
theory of human development emphasizes on the human behavior which is the outcome of the
interaction between the three different parts of the mind which are ID, EGO and Superego. It has
been stated by Freud that personality is developed at the time of childhood and it is also shaped
by different series of five psychosexual stages that is known as the psychosexual theory of
development. It is considered by Freud that individuals can be cured by creating the conscious
and their unconscious thoughts. The main aim of the theory is to focus on the motions and
experiences that create unconscious in a conscious form (Guntrip, 2018).
Erickson theory
This theory was developed by one of the most popular Ego Psychologist Erik Erikson who
focused on the theories of development. In relation to this theory there are different stages that
help to complete the entire theory. The stages in the theory are eight that can be described as
follows: Trust vs. Mistrust, autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, Initiative s. guilt, industry vs.
inferiority, identity vs. confusion, and intimacy vs. confusion, generatively vs. stagnation and at
last integrity vs. despair (Greene, 2017).
Paiget’s theory
Paiget’s theory of development emphasizes on nature and development of the human
intelligence. This was the first theory that was created by the Swiss development psychologist
Jean Piaget. The theory emphasizes mainly on the nature of the knowledge and how the people
1

Theories
are related with acquiring and using it. It has been analyzed that theory is considered as the
developmental stage theory and also in the facts that are made by the children of the different
ages are considered at the time of solving the problems. He believed that children are not
considered as the adult who know less but children just think and elaborate in a different manner.
It has been defined by the Piaget that children focus on the cognitive abilities that can help the
children. This theory is related with progressive reorganization of the overall process related with
mental from biological maturation and environmental experience. He has the belief that the
children can create their own understanding of the world that is around them and can experience
the discrepancies in relation to what they actually know and what they discovered in context to
the environment (Bjorklund, 2018).
Similarities and differences between Freud, Erickson and Piaget theories
Freud and Erikson psychological theory are considered as theories of development. Freud and
Erikson believe that the personality is developed in the different stages. Freud’s theory of
psychosexual stages and Erikson’s stage elaborate the affect of social experience in the overall
lifespan. In the age of 1 year it has been seen that these two theories of development emphasize
on the importance of early experiences but there are major differences that takes place between
the ideas of Freud and Erikson. It is analyzed that Freud focused on the importance of feeding
and on the other hand Erikson emphasized on the responsiveness of the caretakers in relation to
the needs of the children (Kerpelman & Pittman, 2018).
If Freud and Piaget are taken into consideration then it is examined that similarities lies between
the children and the adults. Freud suggested that the infants are also sexual being and the Piaget
showcased that the connection of the young children. Both the theorist pointed on the changes in
2

Theories
relation to age groups of the people. One of the major similarities is that Freud and Piaget have
the same interest in relation to the overall development. Both these theorist emphasizes on
having in-depth understanding of the child and the adult. Freud and Piaget have considered the
similarities in relation to children and the adults (Lichtenberg, Lachmann & Fosshage,
2016). The Freud suggested that the infants are also sexual beings and Piaget suggested that the
only reason is reacted with the young children. It has been also said that Freud and Piaget are
related with the universal process of moral development. The Freud emphasizes on the functions
of Super ego and Piaget emphasizes on the changes in relation to the moral judgments. The
major difference that can be seen is that Freud was interested in the overall expression of the
aggression and Piaget was not. Freud believed to make the concept of “ID” but on the other hand
Piaget was not and he considered that it is important to create the concept of egocentrism (Carey,
Zaitchik & Bascandziev, 2015).
3

Theories
References
Bjorklund, D. F. (2018). A metatheory for cognitive development (or “Piaget is dead”
revisited). Child development, 89(6), 2288-2302.
Carey, S., Zaitchik, D., & Bascandziev, I. (2015). Theories of development: In dialog with Jean
Piaget. Developmental Review, 38, 36-54.
Greene, R. R. (2017). Eriksonian theory: A developmental approach to ego mastery. In Human
behavior theory and social work practice (pp. 107-136). Routledge.
Guntrip, H. (2018). Psychoanalytic theory, therapy and the self. Routledge.
Kerpelman, J. L., & Pittman, J. F. (2018). Erikson and the relational context of identity:
Strengthening connections with attachment theory. Identity, 18(4), 306-314.
Lichtenberg, J. D., Lachmann, F. M., & Fosshage, J. L. (2016). Self and motivational systems:
Towards a theory of psychoanalytic technique. Routledge
4