Freud vs. Erikson: A Critical Analysis of Development Perspectives

This essay provides a comparative analysis of Sigmund Freud's and Erik Erikson's theories of development. Freud's theory focuses on psychosexual stages and the impact of early childhood experiences on adult personality, emphasizing erogenous zones and the resolution of conflicts at each stage. While influential, Freud's theory is criticized for its lack of empirical support. Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines eight stages from infancy to old age, each characterized by a psychosocial crisis that shapes personality. Erikson's approach offers a more comprehensive view of development across the lifespan but is sometimes considered vague regarding the mechanisms of development. The essay concludes by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of both theories in understanding human development. Desklib provides access to similar essays and study tools for students.

Running head: DIFFERENCES IN THE VIEWS OF DEVELOPMENT
DIFFERENCES IN THE VIEWS OF DEVELOPMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1DIFFERENCES IN THE VIEWS OF DEVELOPMENT
Freud Views’ of Development
Sigmund Freud, a Viennese doctor, developed a theory which comprises with the
dealing of the parents about the basic sexual and aggressive desires which would help to
determine the development of their personalities as adults or not. In each of the five
psychosexual stages described by him, each stages of Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency and genital
aimed on the sexual activities and the pleasure received from a specified portion of the body.
He also believed that pleasure-seeking energies are aimed on certain erogenous zone, which
are distinguished a part of the body which is particularly sensitive to stimulation. His another
part of the theory aimed in identification of the consciousness parts. Each stage of the
development is notes by conflicts which can help in building the growth. But, his theory is
not considered as an accurate one, though it is an important as well as influential as it is the
first stage development theory that acquired real attention, and may theorists uses it as a
starting place till date (Goldberg, Muir & Kerr, 2013).
Erikson Views’ of Development
In the theory of psychosocial development by Erik Erikson, the psychosocial
development of a person is stated, which included from infant to elderly stage, totally
depending on how fast the psychosocial crises are resolved. He stated that personality
improves in a predetermined order through eight stages of psychosocial development, in
between infancy and adulthood. It included Trust vs Mistrust, Autonomy vs Shame, Initiative
vs Guilt, Industry vs Inferiority, Identity vs Role Confusion, Intimacy vs Isolation,
Generativity vs Stagnation and Ego Integrity vs Despair. Erikson outlined a more realistic
point of view of personality development. His theory possesses a good face validity.
Psychology conceptualized repeatedly the processes through which the later periods pf life of
the people is viewed based on his ideas. But, his ideas are sometimes considered as vague

2DIFFERENCES IN THE VIEWS OF DEVELOPMENT
regarding the causes of the development. The theory di not possess a universal mechanism in
the context of crisis solution. His theory is rather a descriptive one, which overviews the
human social as well as emotional development which do not explain properly the way
through which the development occurs. It has also been noticed that there is a lack of
individual stages of personality development (Sacco, 2013).

3DIFFERENCES IN THE VIEWS OF DEVELOPMENT
References
Goldberg, S., Muir, R., & Kerr, J. (2013). Attachment, the reflective self, and borderline
states: The predictive specificity of the Adult Attachment Interview and pathological
emotional development. In Attachment theory (pp. 245-290). Routledge.
Sacco, R. G. (2013). Re-envisaging the eight developmental stages of Erik Erikson: the
Fibonacci life-chart method (FLCM). Journal of Educational and Developmental
Psychology, 3(1), 140-146.