Psychosocial Theory Application - Term Paper Example

Theory Application Affiliation Introduction Erik Erikson theorizedeight stages of human development through a systematic focus on life events and what happens if these events are not attended. In his psychosocial theory, he identifies that the eight stages involves navigation through ego, integrity and despair. This is because he believes that at old age, above 65 years human beings attempt to seek refuge in protecting personal value of wellbeing through marinating ego and integrity as expected from the society. In addition, at old age personal pursuits of happiness are the leading personal goals, different from any other stages. Moreover, this Erickson model exemplifies systematic display of the biological and socio-cultural forces that human beings navigate throughout their development. Theory Description Notably, psychosocial theory reflects eight stages that portray negotiation of one stage to the other in a systematic version. For instance, from birth to the age of two, a child development surrounds the establishment of basic trust and mistrust through activities such as feeding. He recognizes that abandonment of a child will result in development of mistrust. Between 2-4 years, a child navigate through a search for autonomy, if not oriented within basic activities such as toilet training and self-clothing, a child will develop shame and doubt consequently (Hughes & Peake 2002). In the next stage of 4-5 years, it involves search for purpose. Forming a significant relationship with the family is integral in nurturing good purpose mastery. During this stage, Erickson establishes psychosocial crisis of initiative, failure to establish encouraging environment in the use of basic tools and making art will create a sense of guilt throughout the child’s development. Besides, the next stage involves pre-schools aged 5-12 years. In his theory, Erickson admits that creativity and innovation is an important aspect of human development. Activities encouraging this development include sports and school activities. If the environment becomes unfavorable, a child becomes inferior and develops a sense of poor personal view (Hughes & Peake 2002). Sneed et al., (2006) state that the fifth stage is the adolescent group, arguably this is the most difficult group to deal with because of its curiosity and interrogation of issues. In his theory, he noted that identity and role are two critical questions that are answered during this stage of development. In addition, adolescent group present with the most demanding psychological issues varying from identity search to rebellion. He emphasized that social relationship development is essential. However, he warned that failure to establish identity and role leads to acrimonious confusion, which in essence is psychological pathology. Moreover, the nest group age 20-39 presents young adults whose development stage reflects romantic relationships. The life question is “can I love?” this is a crucial question that is nurtured at this stage (Dwairy 2002). One critical development at this stage is establishing romantic relationships and meaningful friendship. Failure to successfully negotiate trough this stage leads to isolation. One of the leading psychological disorders arises from difficulty to establish friendships. Today, isolation is leading cause of psychological disorder that faces many young adults. The middle adulthood stage occurs at 40-64 of age reflect a stage that people seek care through working and exercising established parenthood. Good virtue developed at this stage is generativity, most significant relationships includes workmates and household (Sneed et al., 2006). Besides, the impending thoughts of retirement and isolation from children who make now young adults make their hearts grow fonder, failure to navigate smoothly leads to stagnation. Lastly, those above 65 have recently retired and are undergoing a serious adult crisis (Sneed et al., 2006). Integration of Theory to Practice In the movie “Silver Lining,” the character of Tiffany Maxwell portrays a woman who is the eighth stage of the Erickson psychosocial development. Throughout the film, she is held up in reflection of life, having lost her husband and recently retired, she is held up in isolation and her attraction to Solatano Pat portrays a woman who is in conflict of identifying herself in the midst of loneliness. Some of striking clips in the movie that portrays a typical example of the eighth stage of seeking ego, integrity and signs of despair are reflected in a number of scenes. Firstly, after meeting with Pat, who has recently separated with his wife after he suffered severe bipolar, Tiffany is held in a unique relationship that shows a person trying to reinvent herself through remodeling relationship. As identified by the theory, her case represents a person fixated in earlier stages of establishing a relationship. Besides, it can be argued that she suffers from despair because at the age of probably 65 or above, she feels isolated and has nobody to turn to. This reflects a psychosocial disturbance that is captured in isolation and aggressive pursuit of establishing a relationship. This is seen after one episode of socializing, she is attached to Pat. Notably, she gives conditions to Pat that before she delivers a letter to his wife Nikki, he must promise her to participate as a dancing partner in the upcoming dancing competition. She ensures that Pat attend her rigorous dance exercise, not because she really want to, but feel safe and luck while hanging with Pat. Notably, two things are clear; firstly, she fears being left alone. Her conviction to remain within a helping relationship gets complicated when pat pursues his wife back. Secondly, Tiffany is engrossed in serious reflection of the past, the memories of her late husband seems to be driving her towards persons of male friends. In her pursuit for attachment, she feels jealous and storm out of the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys game that she went to search for Pat. At the end of this episode, she is convinced that the Eagles were having luck when she was with Pat, a psychological condition that reflects conviction and delusion. In essence, her behavior is that of a desperate woman who would do anything to maintain or initiate friendships. In my view, she is stagnating at the stage of young adulthood because of her pursuit for Pat love. At the end of the film, she shares a kiss with Pat, married but later they have no wedding rings. While analyzing this character within the meaning of the Erickson theory of psychoanalysis, two things are certain. Firstly, Tiffany is an elderly category. Her ego drives her to share a drink with a stranger when she feels valuable that she cannot be mistreated. Her ego drives her to storm out of the football match; she has exaggerated sense of worthy despite her elderly age. Because of her probably long period of isolation and despair caused baby the loss of job through retirement, Tiffany case is an exemplary example of the woman at the eight stages. Throughout the movie, I find her lost within the identity and personal worth. The reason for her continued pursuit of love is a sign of despair. Ideally, after retiring, she should be engaged in personal and extended family. I argue that she is outrageous, her love for Pat is not genuine her love for the path. It is a compensatory pattern of behavior that drives her to recklessly engage in sharing feelings recklessly. Besides, Erickson argues that as we grow older the normal thing is to slow down our productivity and explore life within the retirement meaning (Hearn 1993). However, Tiffany seems dissatisfied with life; her energy to establish romantic ties comes at the age of retirement. This would be viewed by Freud theory as fixation to past stage. In Erickson theory, she is stagnated within despair. In my analysis, she is not contented with life, her retirement seem to have come as a surprise. She continues to seek relevance at a time that she should be grateful for her achievements. She experiences behavioral pattern that resembles middle life crisis. Lastly, the eighth stage reflects a personal view of life. Her satisfaction is not met, but initial life experiences or probably has been eroded by the pains of losing her husband and subsequent retirement. This stage reflects personal examination of the life lived; she is convinced that through seeking relationships, she will find meaning in life. Hence, I argue that she represents pathological stagnation of the eighth stage of the Erickson model of development. Conclusion Erik Erickson model of psychoanalysis reflects human development through a number of stages. Watching Silver Lining Playbook film portrays Tiffany as a character lost in defining her ego and integrity. She represents a desperate woman who seeks solace through pursuing a partnership, friendship and romantic relationship. She has been subject to significant loss and recently she lost her job due to retirement, development that is seen among elderly group. These events seem to have destabilized her sunset developmental growth, hence the growing pursuit for love. References Dwairy, M. (2002). Foundations of psychosocial dynamic personality theory of collective people. Clinical Psychology Review. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(01)00100-3 Hearn, S. (1993). INTEGRITY, DESPAIR AND IN BETWEEN: TOWARD CONSTRUCT VALIDATION OF ERIKSONS EIGHTH STAGE. Hughes, D. E., & Peake, T. H. (2002). Investigating the Value of Spiritual Well-Being and Psychosocial Development in Mitigating Senior Adulthood Depression. Activities, Adaptation & Aging. doi:10.1300/J016v26n03_02 Sneed, J. R., Whitbourne, S. K., & Culang, M. E. (2006). Trust, Identity, and Ego Integrity: Modeling Erikson?s Core Stages Over 34 Years. Journal of Adult Development. doi:10.1007/s10804-007-9026-3 Read More