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EDSA700
Assignment 2
Life Orientation : SP and FET
Name : Peter Deneke
Student Number: 21205281
Date: 1 Sep 2021

Introduction
The psychosocial developmental theory is an important component to consider when it
comes to teaching. I will unpack this further to explain how a crisis in a child’s life can set
them up for failure at school. Furthermore, I will explain the eight stages of development in
relation to the South African context. Many Children don’t succeed in passing all these
stages successfully due to negative social and cultural influences. Finally I will critically
discuss the life of Hitler through the lens of Eric Erkisons theory. And analysis what crises did
he endure to make him turn into the psychotic Jew hater.

Erikson theory is based on The epigentic principle, which says we develop our personality
through predetermined stages. And that our surroundings and culture influence how we
progress through these stages.” Erikson was convinced of the need to have social and
cultural influences into the original psychoanalytic theory of development.” Thus it is an
integrated developmental theory and with people been active participants of their own
development. (Peedicayil, 2012) The epigentic principle unfolds or happens when an infant
is born and is totally dependent on their caregiver for food , drink and nurture. Trust or
mistrust unfolds in an infants life , depending on the caring, consistent and predictable
relationship with the primary caregiver. Mistrust is caused by changing , non-accepting ,
unpredictable experiences. All infants for have some negative and some positive
experiences during this infant stage. Some infants will however experience more negative
caregiving. Such as less attention as in the case of an orphaned infant. When an infant is not
touched or held during times of distress the infant will shut down and develop brain
damage, according to research findings of infants in an overcrowded Romanian Orphanage.
(Boyce & Boyce, 2015). Also when the mother is absent and the child is not fed or cared for.
The infant will develop a sense of mistrust for women or the mother figure. The trust versus
the mistrust is the first psychosocial development stage that infant will experience. (Anon., )
A crisis can occur during each of the eight stages of psychosocial development. These stages
entail a person’s emerging emotional needs in interaction with expanding social
relationships. (Donald, 2014) For example when a child’s emotional and physical needs are
not met ,a crisis will unfold and the infant will develop a sense of mistrust. This is also a
critical point in a child’s development. Then the child moves into the next stage autonomy

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vs shame / doubt with capacities that will shape how the new developmental challenge will
be resolved. Challenges experienced in the early stages will carry on to the next stage unless
the child confront the issues through counselling, if not the child will have psychosocial
challenges throughout life. Eriskon believes that “there is little that cannot be remedied
later, there is much that can be prevented from happening at all “ (Anon., )This captures his
belief in the adaptability of humans. Successful resolution of one crises puts the child in a
particularly good position to address the next crisis. Erikson’s theory is important because of
its emphasis on social and cultural influences and on development beyond adolescence. He
is widely known for his concept of identity crisis which has generated considerable research.
The chief task of adolescence, said Erikson(1968) , is to confront the crises of identity versus
identity confusion. The concept of the identity crises was based on his own experience. He
grew up in Germany and was born out of wedlock and never knew his biological father. He
was later adopted and felt confused about who he was. He also said that if a person does
not have an occupational identity, they may engage in negative behaviour such as criminal
activity. (Diane e Papalia, 2011)

The eight stages of psych-social development in relation to the South African context.
Development takes place in a social environment and because of this the African child will
have a unique set of circumstances that with have an effect on the child development. A
study was done on the Bolobedu community in the Limpopo province to explore the
relationship between Erikson’s stages of development and those of African. The findings
showed that the children also went through various stages of development, like many other
cultural groups., however these stages are accompanied by various problems and
expectations. These people also use different methods to address problems. There are some
differences such as readiness and the ability to perform certain tasks rather than age of the
child. African children do experience psychological problems, but they are dealt with in a
different way.
And interesting distinction when it comes to the various stages is that they are mostly based
on cultural values. Africans also put emphasis on cooperation, inter-dependence and
altruism. Lastly, among Africans each stage of development involves rituals and ceremonies.
Erikson has ignored the importance of ritual in the various stages of development.
When studying the developmental stages of an African child, one must consider that most
rural people are living in abject poverty. The first writers who studied development of
African Children were Brown(1926), Seligman(1930), Whiting and Kuper (1965).
A Survey from writers such as Stayt (1931) suggests developmental stages of an African child
can be broken down into: birth, infancy, early childhood, pre-puberty, and puberty. The
author considers these stages as corresponding to the Erikson six stages of development.
1.1 In the African village the birth of a baby is celebrated. African consider the infancy stage
as a period between birth and weaning. Weaning is used as the measurement to
determine a child readiness for the next stage, whereas Erikson uses age as a measure of
readiness for the next stage. The African Child is separated from the mother, but still

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remains in the hut. From a psychological point of view this can cause attachment issues.
And this is perhaps a reason for Africans slow development or aggressive stance.
(Authors view) . Also, the father is not allowed to see the child but is merely told of the
child’s birth. Again, this can cause attachment problems and longing in the infant. The
child is secured and pampered according to (Van der Vliet, 1974), and this helps the child
develop trust, which is line with Erikson’s first stage of development. I have not done
enough research to confirm if all African Children experience this level of care. Many
African Children in South African don’t have fathers, this is event by the poverty and
single parents’ homes. The African also undergoes certain rituals such as shaving of the
head and ceremonies among the Pedi people. This would not really have an effect a
child’s psychosocial development, as the child will be too young to understand these
rituals.
1.2 Autonomy versus shame and doubt: the African toddler starts learning to walk and talk
and doing small things on its own and experience a sense of autonomy. If he/she is
reprimanded or prevented from trying, she/her will experience shame and doubt. Most
toddlers will experience a bit of both. In the African village. The toddler would be
allowed to walk around unaided and go about exploring the village with the watchful
eye of the mother or granny.
1.3 Initiative versus guilt: In this stage Children are given certain duties according to gender
depending on if the child is ready. In Erikson’s stage this can be regarded as being
industrious. This early childhood prepares the child to be socialised, this is done by the
mother or caregiver introducing the child to the community. In the African culture,
human relations are more important than mental or physical development. Whereas in
the white community, the parents ensure that the child is ready to read and write.
1.4 Industry versus inferiority (middle to late childhood). This period is usually marked by
the beginning of school and learning basic produce skills expected in the social context.
The African boy child are allocated duties such as goat and lamb herding or helping to
plough the fields. They also learn different games and play with children their own age
and sex. Girls are expected to look after the smaller children and help collect water and
wood. By doing these small jobs the girl may feel that they are doing an important job
and contributing to the domestic economy. These children might to be able to afford
school or the school might be to far away. Hence the child will not have the same
cognitive development as the child in the city. A peer group becomes very important as
a basis of comparison for the child’s tasks and skills. A sense of industry results from
success at these tasks, and a sense of inferiority results from failure. The African child
can also experience industry or inferiority, all depending on the parent and
teacher/mentor support. (Brittian, 2012) (Eccles, 1999)
1.5 Identity versus role confusion(adolescence) “The central challenge during this stage is
for the adolescent to come to terms with who he is and where he is going” (Anon., ).
Physical maturation is experienced, and the teen tried to gain independence from family
constraints and to associate with peers. They also discover special interests and
competencies, work interest, sexual identity and self-image and develop romantic
relationships. They also search for an individual identity and a social identity. The African
boy will graduate to looking after cattle and girls learn more advanced cooking skills and

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more housework. They will also develop an interest in the opposite sex. Psychologically
they develop a sense of achievement. The adolescent will emerge with a relative sense
of fidelity and belief in himself, which he will take forward to the next stage. Puberty is
also marked with rituals [slaughtering a cow]and African customs to celebrate this
important milestone. A youth will not be considered an adult until he is circumcised.
Initiation is a rebirth and reflects a move from childhood to adulthood. Ubuntu is a
important African concept that helps to form an African identity. (French, et al., 2006)
1.6 Intimacy versus isolation (young adulthood): The African child will try to establish close
committed relationship with others. Usually, they will develop relationships with people
in their own clan. If they can’t experience intimacy, then loneliness and isolation will
occur. In the rural area this can be a difficult time for young adults, and they would
prefer to go too the city in the search of work. In the African community they follow the
concept of Ubuntu, where they will feel a part of their community even though they
might be far away from home. (French, et al., 2006)
1.7 Generativity versus stagnation (Middle Adulthood) It means establishing, nurturing, and
guiding the next generation. But it also means being productive in work and community.
And society as a whole. (Erikson.1968) The African adult in the rural area, would also be
supporting their parents or sending them money. Most likely the elderly mother would
be staying with the married daughter or son.
1.8 Integrity versus despair (late adulthood). The African adult will experience satisfaction
and acceptance of the way life has been for them. Or they will have doubts and despair,
regret. The granny could also be looking after grandchildren in poverty due to death of
parents by aids or an absent father. (Anon., ) The cycle of poverty and social problems is
hard to overcome in the African community. Mostly due to mind set and bad values.
"Effects of Poverty on Child Development” (Engle & Black, 2008)

The past and current political and economic environment has a definite effect on the
development of all children , not just the African child. A child that goes hungry or has not
resources for education will be affected cognitively and psychologically. Poverty can be
blamed for a lot of issues in the South African population. Research finding by Glen Elder on
children that grew up during the great depression showed how a major sociohistorical event
can affect children’s current and future development. Likewise, apartheid had a devesting
affect on children’s development who are now adults. (Mutolo & Jl, 2011).

A look at the story of Adolf Hitler through the lens Erik Erikson theory.
Psychoanalyzing political leaders is important to as it was during the time of Hilter. There
should be a concern about the safety and mental health of malignant world leaders.
Currently Joe Biden is showing mental decline, Which limits him from making proper
decisions. Likewise American psychoanalysts were troubled by the rise of a democratically
elected leader in Germany during the 1930s.

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A psychologist by the name of Walter Langer, who witnessed a Nazi rally, later provided a
psychiatric assessment of Hitler to the office of strategic services. Langer studied many
public records of Hitler and also interviewed people who knew him. He came to the
conclusion that Hitler suffered from many childhood traumas at the hands of his father and
his mother who was a cleaning perfectionist. . His early trauma years were made up of
witnessing his parents’ Intercourse. This resulted in Hitler been preoccupied with themes of
dominance and submission. This can be seen in the way he treated the Jews. According to
Langer , he developed a fixation with the anal zone and also sexual perversion in adulthood.
(Langer, 1943)
Erik H Erikson , a psychoanalyst who understood Hitlers intentions decided to immigrate to
the USA in 1993 after his training in Vienna. This was before the large wave of Jewish
refugees including Sigmund and Anna Freud. Erikson wrote an essay on Hitler and his appeal
to the German youth. And sought to understand Hitter’s appeal and his pathology.
Hitler told his story in the book “ Mein Kampf”, about his childhood which resonated with
the German Culture. The elements of his childhood tell of his adoration of his mother and
his opposition to his aged bully of a father. Erikson believed that there was social
breakdown lead to the rise of tyranny. Hitler celebrated the motherland and expressed
hatred for old men who lead traditional order. ( Childhood and society ) 1950.
Analysis:
The most important developmental stages when talking about Adolf’s Hitlers life are stage
3-6. If Hitler had a better upbringing, he might not have been the world terror.
There is not much I can infer about stage one of Hitlers life. I can assume that his mother
was a good caregiver and there were no attachment issues, as he spoke of his mother in a
loving way. So, I would conclude that he had a positive experience and built a sense of trust
versus mistrust. The second stage of autonomy versus shame, where the child learns to be
more independent (Diver, ) . In Adolfs Biography , the young Hitler was a resentful,
discontented child. With a moody , lazy, with an unstable temperament. (Anon., )
From Hitlers adult life I can conclude that he had no challenges in this stage as he had a
sense of will and belief in himself.
The third stage of initiative versus gilt could have been the start of Hitlers problems. The
Biography says he was deeply hostile towards his strict, authoritarian father and strongly
attached to his indulgent , hard-working, mother, whose death from cancer in December
1908 was a shattering blow to him. From the ages of six and eight , Adolf attended two
different schools. He did well at school and was praised by his teacher for his high marks. He
also showed initiative and was a leader when it came to school games. He learnt a lot of
social lessons during this time. I would conclude that he had a sense of purpose in taking on
life. It was during this stage that his siblings died and his mother allowed him to be abused
by his father. This is when he felt alone and betrayed by his mother. This had a deep
psychological impact on the young Hitler.

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In stage 4 industry versus inferiority ( middle to late childhood) . Once Hitler finished
primary school his father enrolled him in a school that had its focus on science and
technology. His marks where average to poor and even had to repeat a semester. Perhaps
this is where Hitler’s problems started to manifest, and he started feeling inferior to other
students. If a child experiences continual failure, he could be shamed by adults and peers.
This can have a devastating effect on a child’s sense of competence and further
development. Adolf’s childhood losses could have played a role in his later personality and
style. Where he become heartless to the death of others. At the age of 14 his father also
passed away. Mixed with a life a poverty and abuse, these things had a defiant effect on
him.
Stage 5 identity versus role confusion ( adolescence). The central challenge during this stage
is for the adolescent to come to terms with who is and where he is going. Hitler left school
after four years at the age of sixteen with the dreams of becoming a painter in Vienna. He
led a vagabond existence after been rejected by the Academy of fine arts. He adopted a
negative view of life and had a pathological hatred of Jews and Marxists, liberalism and the
Habsburg monarchy. (Anon., ) Hitler was starting to become like is father, which caused a lot
of ID conflict. He was also searching for his identity and self-image.

Stage 6 Intimacy versus Isolation ( young adult) this is when Adolf isolated himself from the
rest of society in a figurative manner. He used his pent-up anger and hatred to get revenge
for such issues as World War 1. In Vienna he got his first degree in politics picked obsessive
anti-Semitism with its brutal violent sexual connotations and concern with purity of blood.
That fact that he did not develop close relationship to keep him balanced. The previous
death and abuse set him off for developmental failure. Perhaps his life started well. But with
the father abuse and death of his mother, this left him angry at the world and broken.
Cognitively he was developed and had strong leadership skills. But emotionally and
psychologically he was most likely a pathological narcissist. (Dreijmanis, 2005) (Glad, 2002)
Final thought and conclusion, Even though it seemed like Hitler went through the
developmental stages quite well , but the fact that he was a malignant narcissist proves that
he had some attachment problems with both parents. And his parents were both likely
narcissistic as well. A good analysis requires more than just looking through the lens of Eric
Eriskon developmental stages. I would have to read his book about Hitler’s childhood to get
a full perspective on psychological issues.

Bibliography

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