MIATTA STEVENS

REFLECTIVE WRITING
The notion behind lifespan and human perspective leads to a new
understanding of human development as multidirectional, , multicontextual,
multicultural, multidisciplinary and plasticity. It is important to view human
development from this perceptive in order to understand the various pattern
or changes that contributes to human development from conception and
throughout ones lifespan. Two theories of interest to me this semester are
the Sigmund Freuds Psychosexual Theory and Erik Erikson's Psychosocial
Theory.
The psychosexual theory developed by Sigmund Freud emphasizes on the
sexual drives of humans. Freud believed that development occurred in
stages and that the first six years of development occurs in three stages
characterized by sexual interest and pleasure focusing on specific parts of
the body. The oral stage occurs from birth to one year of age and in this
stage the particular part of the body of focus is areas of the mouth, such as
the tongue, lips, and gums. The anal stage occurs between the ages of one
and three and the particular part of the body of focus is the anus. The phallic
stage occurs between the ages of three and six and the particular part of the
body of focus is the penis. In this stage genital stimulation is how pleasure
derives. Latency occurs after the phallic stage. After latency the genital
stage occurs at puberty and lasts throughout adulthood.

This concept has enable me to understand the importance early childhood

development have on adult habits and personalities which develops as
individuals move through series of psychosexual developments.
The psychosocial theory developed by Erik Erikson describes eight
developmental stages characterized by a certain challenge or developmental
crisis; however, he named two polarities at each crisis, and he acknowledged
a broad range of outcomes between these opposites. The interaction
between the social environment and the individual is beneficial to resolving
all crises. For each crisis Erikson named two polarities and identified a wide
range of outcomes between these opposites. The developmental stages of
this psychosocial theory center on social needs. The eight stages are trust
vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. Shame and doubt, initiative vs. Guilt, industry
vs. Inferiority, identity vs. Role confusion, intimacy vs. Isolation,
generativity vs. stagnation, and integrity vs. despair. These eight stages
differ from Freuds psychosexual theory stages because they do not
emphasize sexual urges; however, what is of emphasis is every individuals
relationships is centered on culture and family
This concepts have been a valuable addition to my knowledge by allowing
me to understand the stages involved in peoples ability to develop a sense
of who they are and where they belong. And also why people feel confident
and secure in life while others feel depressed and question their life
outcome.

Understanding these two concepts stated above would benefit others by

allowing them to understand the effect series of developmental stages has
on individuals ability to create and maintain a healthy personality through
their lifespan.