Sabangan, Jearmane F.

11-HUMSS A (LOVE)

Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory and Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory are two well-
known theories of development. While he was influenced by Freud's ideas, Erikson's theory
differed in a number of important ways.

Like Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of predetermined stages.
Unlike Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson’s theory describes the impact of social
experience across the whole lifespan.

Let's compare and contrast these two theories by looking at some of the key similarities and
differences at each stage.

The two theories of development both focus on the importance of early experiences, but there are
notable differences between Freud's and Erikson's ideas. Freud centered on the importance of
feeding, while Erikson was more concerned with how responsive caretakers are to a child's
needs.

Age: Birth to 1 Year

Freud's Stages of Psychosexual Development

 Freud's called this the oral stage.

 At this point in development, a child's primary source of pleasure is through the mouth
via sucking, eating, and tasting.

 Problems with this stage can result in what Freud referred to as an oral fixation.

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

 Erikson called this the trust versus mistrust stage.

 Children learn to either trust or mistrust their caregivers.

 The care that adults provide determines whether children develop this sense of trust in the
world around them.

 Children who do not receive adequate and dependable care may develop a sense of
mistrust of others and the world
Age: 1 to 3 Years

While there are a number of differences between Erikson's and Freud's ideas, their theories both
focus on how children develop a sense of independence and mastery.

Psychosexual Development:

 Freud called this the anal stage of development.

 Children gain a sense of mastery and competence by controlling bladder and bowel
movements.

 Children who succeed at this stage develop a sense of capability and productivity.

 Those who have problems at this stage may develop an anal fixation. As adults, they
might be excessively orderly or messy.

Psychosocial Development:

 Erikson called this the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage.

 Children develop self-sufficiency by controlling activities such as eating, toilet training,

and talking.

 Those who succeed at this stage develop a sense of independence while those who
struggle will be left doubting themselves.

Ages: 3 to 6 Years

During the preschool and early elementary years, Freud's theory was much more concerned with
the role of the libido while Erikson's theory was more focused on how children interact with
parents and peers.

Freud's Theory:

 Freud referred to this as the phallic stage.

  The libido's energy is focused on the genitals. Children begin to identify with their same-
sex parent.

 Boys experience the Oedipus complex while girls experience the Electra complex.

Erikson's Theory:

 Erikson's called this the initiative versus guilt stage.

 Children begin to take more control over their environment.

 Those who are successful at this stage develop a sense of purpose while those who
struggle are left with feelings of guilt.

Ages: 7 to 11 Years

Freud believed that this age served as more of a transitional period between childhood and
adolescence. Erikson, on the other hand, believed that kids continue to forge a sense of
independence and competence.

Psychosexual Development:

 Freud referred to this as the latent period.

 The libido's energy is suppressed and children are focused on other activities such as
school, friends, and hobbies.

 Freud believed this stage was important for developing social skills and self-confidence.

Psychosocial Development:

 Erikson called this the industry versus inferiority stage.

 Children develop a sense of competence by mastering new skills.

 Kids who succeed at this stage develop pride in their accomplishments while those who
struggle may be left feeling incompetent.

Age: Adolescence

Adolescence played a critical role in both Freud's and Erikson's theories of development. In both
theories, teens begin to forge their own sense of identity.

Freud's Theory:

 Freud referred to this point in psychosexual development as the genital stage.

  Children begin to explore romantic relationships.

 The goal of this stage is to develop a sense of balance between all the areas of life. Those
who have successfully completed the earlier stages are now warm, caring and well-
adjusted.

Erikson's Theory:

 Erikson's called this point in psychosocial development the identity versus role
confusion stage.

 Children develop a personal identity and sense of self.

 Teens explore different roles, attitudes, and identities as they develop a sense of self.

 Those who receive support and encouragement will emerge with a strong sense of who
they are and what they want to accomplish.

 Those who struggle to forge a strong identity will remain confused about who they are
and what they want to do with their life.

Age: Adulthood

Freud's theory focused exclusively on development between birth and the teen years, implying
that personality is largely set in stone by early childhood. Erikson, on the other hand, took a
lifespan approach and believed that development continues even in to old age.

Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Development:

 Freud's theory largely focuses on the period between birth and adolescence.

 According to Freud, the genital stage lasts throughout adulthood. He believed the goal is
to develop a balance between all areas of life.

Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development:

 Eriksons' theory includes three more stages that span adulthood. These three stages are:

 Intimacy vs Isolation: Young adults seek out romantic love and companionship.

 Generativity vs Stagnation: Middle-aged adults nurture others and contribute to society.

 Integrity vs Despair: Older adults reflect on their lives, looking back with a sense of
fulfillment or bitterness.

A Word From Verywell

Freud's and Erikson's theories of development share a number of important similarities. Both
stressed the importance of social experiences and recognized the role that childhood plays in
shaping adult personality. Unlike Freud's psychosexual approach, Erikson's psychosocial stage
theory took a more expansive view of development, encompassing childhood, adolescence, and
adulthood. While Freud believed that development was largely complete fairly early on, Erikson
felt that it was a process that continued throughout the entire course of a person's life.