Eric Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial of Development - Essay Example

The first aid givers are so much aware of the fact that before administering any aid they must inform the patients of their intention to help them. The patient would then decide on their own whether they wish to be helped or not. For this writing, I will focus on personal autonomy.

Shame is an emotional attachment that makes somebody identify him or herself as imperfect, improper, or hurt. Shame is often accompanied by a self-defeatist attitude, which leaves one emotionally injured. People who have been through an embarrassing situation are prone to shame especially if they take it upon themselves to have caused the embarrassment. It is most often confused with guilt and yet they are two different things. It leads one to have a wish to stay in hiding, live in disappear, and at times wish to die in place of facing the problem. The problem is the major course of borderline and defective personalities. Such personalities are associated with shame and guilt.

As little and helpless as toddlers may look, the majority of them develop a feeling of a need for autonomy. The majority of them tend to defy orders given by their caregivers as a way of showing what they like and dislike. A parent or a caregiver may think that they are giving the child the best but children may prove them otherwise. For example, some children will insist on playing in the rain. They may do so innocently, but with a sense of autonomy even with or without the knowledge of the danger involved in such ventures. However, this is the opposite of a shameful child. A shameful person will avoid at all costs being exposed to shameful situations like dropping in the mud. For toddlers, the cognitive part of the brain though small is innocent of any shame that may happen after.

Teenagers are the most affected by both autonomy and shame. Many teenagers seek to be autonomous through actions. They try to prove the “older generation” wrong by going against the norms. For instance, it is obvious to a teenager that when they engage in unprotected sex a girl may get pregnant or even worse contract venereal diseases. When either of the two happens, the person is vulnerable to shame and at times discord from the community. Any shameful behavior from a rebellious teen in search of autonomy leaves many affected. This includes family members and friends who share in the emotional humility and psychological torture.

Adults are equally concerned and affected by the same problem of autonomy. For example, when a married man, no doubt in control and fully autonomous of his life, when disregards advice from his seniors on how to handle marriage life may stray and break his marriage. He may do this and invite shame upon himself when society condemns him.

  In conclusion, it is worth noting that any level of autonomy or independence must be treated with caution and due carefulness. Any mishandling of

Intimacy versus isolation                                                                              

Freedom may lead to embarrassment and injury to self-esteem. Therefore there exists an empirical relationship between shame and autonomy to the extent discussed herein.

Intimacy refers to an interpersonal and close relationship between two or more people who have similar goals and interests. Intimacy pertains to affections shared between people who are familiar with one another; this can vary between light pecks and hugs for family and friends to passionate kisses, embraces, and tokens of affection for sexual partners. Isolation means any form of separation from either the rest of the universe, finances family members, or society as may be the case in confinements. Long spells of isolation may lead to loneliness which may in turn lead to other social defections associated with the same.

A person may also choose to avoid any form of contact with society, especially after a traumatizing event or occurrence in life. A once socially intimate family may be divided when the breadwinner for instance loses status and face in society.

Forgetfulness, anxiety, delirium, and aggressiveness are the known results of isolation in human beings.  These symptoms have been observed in prisoners kept in solitary confinement units. Hospitalized patients who were in the isolated units had these symptoms. Isolation as the opposite of intimacy also reduces the life expectancy and productivity of the members of society.

Isolation versus intimacy                                                                              

Social isolation is linked to a higher risk of alcoholism and suicide (Anderson,1998 ) numerous studies conducted by him found that suicide is more common among the socially isolated regardless of age. Teenagers are the most affected by this due to hormonal changes in their bodies and/or peer pressure.

            In summary, for any society to enjoy social, political, and economic freedoms and gains, it is important to avoid any actions which may lead to isolation and rather focus on improving intimacy or integrations. And it is evidently clear that there are more side effects of isolation as opposed to intimacy.