Psychoanalytic theories

Overview of Psychodynamic Theories of Development

• Psychodynamic theories base their understanding of human development on the influence of internal drives and emotions on behavior (Gross, 2020).

Freud’s 5 Stages of Psychosexual Development

• Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis in the early 20th century, proposed a theory of human development involving five psychosexual stages (Boyd & Bee, 2019).

Stages Summary

• Stage 1: Oral

  • Age: First year of life

  • Description: Focus on the mouth and the need to suck.

• Stage 2: Anal

  • Age: Toddler age

  • Description: Focus on self-control of bowel movements.

• Stage 3: Phallic

  • Age: Preschool age

  • Description: Self-centered attention; masturbation may occur; child identifies with the opposite-sex parent; development of the superego.

• Stage 4: Latency

  • Age: School age

  • Description: Suppression of sexual urges; focus on industry, achievement, and skills.

• Stage 5: Genital

  • Age: Puberty

  • Description: Deals with sexual urges in a mature way, seeks mutual pleasure in relationships (Liefer & Fleck, 2022).

The Id, Ego, and Superego

• Freud identified three components of personality:

Components Overview

• Id

  • Principle: Pleasure principle

  • Purpose: Drives instinctive urges primarily sexual and aggressive; present at infancy seeking immediate gratification.

  • Statement: "I WANT"

• Ego

  • Principle: Reality principle

  • Purpose: Rational part of the mind that mediates between id and superego, employs defense mechanisms.

  • Statement: "I THINK/EVALUATE"

• Superego

  • Principle: Moral principle

  • Purpose: Represents internalized ideals and morals, aims for perfection.

  • Statement: "I SHOULD/OUGHT" (Boyd & Bee, 2019).

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory

• Erik Erikson’s theory extends from infancy to old age, focusing on social interactions and crises that shape personality (Boyd & Bee, 2019; Kiefer & Fleck, 2022).

Erikson's 8 Stages of Development

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infant)

   • Develops trust of caretakers and oneself.

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddler)

   • Ability to act independently leads to self-trust.

3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool)

   • Imitation of role models; experiences self-control.

4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age)

   • Ability to make friends and achieve school tasks independently.

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)

   • Learns self-identity and develops career goals.

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

   • Shares life aspects with others.

7. Generativity vs. Self-Absorption (Middle Adulthood)

   • Contributes meaningfully to society.

8. Integrity vs. Despair (Older Adult)

   • Maintains dignity from life achievements without regrets (Liefer & Fleck, 2022).

Further Psychosocial Theories

• Subsequent theories of development stem from Freud and Erikson, including work from theorists like Jung and Levinson. Recommended reading is available in Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (see reference list).

References

• Boyd, D.G. & Bee, H.L. (2014). The Developing Child. 13th ed. Harlow: Pearson.

• Boyd, D.R. & Bee, H.L. (2019). Lifespan development. Harlow, England: Pearson.

• Gross, R. (2020). Psychology. 1st ed. London: Hodder Education Group.

• Leifer, G. & Fleck, E. (2022). Growth and Development Across the Lifespan. 3rd ed. Elsevier.

• Sprouts (2017). 8 Stages of Development by Erik Erikson. Available from YouTube.

• Sprouts (2020). Freud’s 5 Stages of Psychosexual Development. Available from YouTube.