Psychosocial Theory

Psychosocial Theory

Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

            Twenty year old Lola Stevens is an impatient obsessive, moody, person; which is exactly what makes her human. We humans are complex, ever changing beings. According to Erik Erikson, we develop in eight universal psychosocial stages. So most of Lola’s strengths and weaknesses can be explained by the fact that she had unsuccessful resolutions to the conflicts she has already gone through. Using Erikson’ eight stages of development I’m going to show you how Lola became the person she is today.

            Psychologist Erik Erikson believed that people develop in eight stages that are influenced by both maturational forces and social demands. During each stage the person must navigate a psychosocial crisis. Erikson theorized that a healthy balance between the terms of each conflict must be struck and if this happens then the person gains a “virtue” or psychosocial strength. [1] However if a healthy balance is not found then the person will come away with maladaptive or malignant qualities. After both observing and interviewing Lola I determined that she fit well with Erikson’s theory. Lola has already successfully traversed through six of his eight stages with only minor problems. Although Lola isn’t perfect, she has her strengths and weaknesses like everybody else.

            I met Lola on a Tuesday afternoon at a local Starbucks. She arrived a few minutes after me and ordered a hot chocolate. The first thing that you notice about Lola is how tall she is and that she has a tendency to hunch over (almost certainly inherited from her father). Her blonde hair is wavy and short and her hazel eyes are focused on her cell phone screen. She has been out in the sun recently and her much hated freckles are even more prominent than usual. We get right down to business and I ask Lola about where she grew up. Lola contributes growing up in a small town, China Spring, Texas, with keeping her out of trouble...