Comparative Analysis of Two Personality Theories - Report Example

Comparative Analysis of Two Personality Theories: Erikson’s Psychosocial Development and Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs In this study, I would like to compare and contrast the Theories of Personality of Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development and Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Both theorists talk about the social environment as an important factor in a person’s personality development, they also proposed steps in understanding trait development, however this writer would like to focus on the respective highlights of each theory understanding how they are one and the same in logic and how they vary in methods and processes. Erikson contends that every human person, belonging to a certain society is highly influenced with its culture and social institutions in which patterns on how he was reared came from. Such influences shape the individual and later on forms his conflict and problem solving mechanisms. Erickson talks about culture as the main factor which becomes the basis of his personality. While in Abraham Maslow’s theory, he strongly relied on the person’s satisfaction of his needs as source of his personality. But the fulfillment of these needs however, do not necessarily come from within. Such needs have risen from infancy and from the host society. Erikson understands development on the basis of epigenetic principles which states that “anything that grows has a ground plan, and that out of this ground plan the parts arise, each part having its time of special ascendancy, until all parts have risen to form a functioning whole”(p.52). Erickson’ study was highly influenced by Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual cases, however in his case, he opted to highlight the social dimension of each of the stages. His approach was more holistic in nature thus extending the stage concept throughout a certain life span, otherwise known as the life span approach. The theory developed by Erickson, the stages he provided must be viewed by two perspectives; social and individual. Maslow on the other hand like Erikson, accepts the social dimension where an individual moves and grows as the factor that really identifies and meets the needs of a certain individual. Now I would like to compare and contrast the different stages proposed by Erikson and Maslow on Personality Development: Stage One or Trust and Mistrust of Erikson and Maslow’s Physiological Needs According to Erikson, stage one is developed within the early stages of life or during infancy. At this point when as an infant, one feels helpless and powerless the need for ultimate dependence arises and the urgency to find someone to depend on and somebody who can provide comes up. Parenting, according to his theory is the main source of stage one’s development. In this case the infant comes into the world with an “incorporative” stage, depending solely on his senses taking in milk, food, experiencing sensory stimulation for the first time etc. The infant begins to look for the care of the mother and would like to explore his environment, and in which if there is no response as before affects his development and subconsciously develops mistrust. Physiological Needs Maslow put physiological needs as the lowest stage in his hierarchy pyramid. There are things necessary for survival such as water, sex and sleep. Failure to meet these needs lead to motivation domination. In this case you become overpowered with meeting such basic need for mere survival. Meeting of those needs, not necessarily complete satisfaction, provides a stable base for an individual He concludes that those individuals whom certain needs have always been met are best adjusted to tolerate deprivation of that need in the future, those who have been deprived before will react differently to current satisfactions. The development of trust and mistrust, in my opinion arise from whether the needs on the early stage of life is met (as proposed by Maslow) . Erikson talks about the role of the parents. While Maslow is strong in reiterating the different means of survival, which at this stage is often provided for by the parents. Both theories talk about early needs and satisfaction of it and how it affects the long term development of one’s personality. Erikson on the other hand highlights the response of the environment, (how the parents behave, how the society reacts), on Maslow’s case, he focused on how, at such early stage, the individual responds to his environment, and how he fends for himself whenever the need arises. Stage Two or Autonomy Versus Shame and Doubt, Stage Three or Initiative Versus Guilt of Erikson and Maslow’s Safety Needs Autonomy for Erikson develops in the second year of the toddler’s life, this is actually the first few stages of formal cognitive development wherein a child is taught basic functioning skills such as walking or even using the toilet. The sense of autonomy is experienced when toddler begins to understand the need to “let go”. However, such letting go is of course very mild, and the child would always seek for support around him, or even a cheer, on his first few steps of independence and absence of it develops shame. Stage Three or Initiative Versus Guilt- At this stage the child begins to make choices on what kind of person he wants to become, and becomes curious with his sex and his orientation. The development of superego also begins at this stage. The child assumes an intrusive mode. If the stage is resolved well then the child develops initiative more than guilt. Maslow’s Safety Needs on the other hand are needs that ensure a safe situation. Familiarity is deemed as safe, (especially in the eyes of a child). Physical violence of course is an imminent threat for all ages. Safety can be brought about by an ordered society, and threatened by emergencies such as war, sickness, disorganization. The support or “cheer” on Erikson’s Stage one, is comparative to Maslow’s definition of safe situation of familiarity. Erikson believes that if a child is able to let go well, meaning exercise his autonomy without really succumbing to shame due to lack of assurance, then this stage becomes well developed. Just like Maslow’s definition of safety, toddlers need some kind of assurance to continue on experimenting in their early life. Erikson’s stage 3 as well, can be compared to the need for non threatening experiences in early life. In contrast, The stages 2 and 3 of Erikson still rely on how a certain society will feed an individual’s personality development. Maslow on the other hand, explains safety needs as a continuing aspect of a certain life span. The need for safety does not only arise in childhood but a recurring need that must be addressed, or else the hierarchy might regress in certain cases. Erikson’s Industry Versus Inferiority, Identity Versus Confusion, Intimacy Versus Isolation and Maslow’s Belongingness and Love Needs Stage 4- Industry Versus Inferiority This talks about a child’s early puberty stage wherein taking in responsibility or creating things such as projects in school teach him to have sense of industry. At this point the child subconsciously and consciously seeks for recognition. His secondary environment, which is the school ushers him to a new cognizance of himself. If he fails to receive a recognition then sense of inferiority develops. Stage 5- Identity Versus Confusion The sense of identity struggles when the adolescent begins to adjust into new adult roles. If a person has strong Stage 1 to 4 background then it is easier for an individual to shape his identity. Identity confusion however, occurs when a coherent identity cannot be achieved. He also talked about negative identity in which unwanted perceptions and labeling of roles come into picture and are carried on until age of pre adulthood. Racial and Ethnic Identity Sense of membership is important in developing sense of belonging. Whether such group is religious, or racial in nature, it doesn’t matter, but what matters is whether such group is being viewed positively on a bigger picture or being ostracized. Stage 6- Intimacy Versus Isolation According to Erikson, intimacy with another person cannot occur if the individual identity has not yet been established. An adult who has not resolved his personal issues and still unable to define his own identity becomes self-absorbed and self-centered. Belongingness and Love Needs If physiological needs and safety needs are met, the next level to mature is the need for love and belongingness. This is the level wherein an individual seeks for love and friendship. Maslow included the need to give and receive love. Erikson’s stages 4 to 6 talk about how an individual, from early youth begins to develop the need to be loved and the need to belong. At stage four, assurance by receiving recognition is important so that a child will not develop inferiority complex. On stage 5 carries us to a journey of how individuals begin to shape their identity, they seek to belong by means of groups and other organizations, and stage six talks about the need for a person to be intimate with others and how failure on early stages of development will lead him to become self-absorbed and self-centered. Maslow’s Belongingness and Love needs support Erikson’s definition of how a certain individual seeks sense of belonging and love. The two theorists talked about not only receiving love, but giving it as well. The main difference is that, in Erikson’s theory, he delved into the deeper issues on how individuals at an early age become conditioned on what they will become on the later stages in life. Generativity Versus Stagnation of Erikson and Maslow’s Esteem Needs Stage 7- Generativity Versus Stagnation Generativity is the interest in establishing and guiding the next generation. This does not necessarily falls under the role of parenting, but can be done in some other means such as being a teacher, mentor etc. The failure to do so ushers him to a sense of stagnation. Esteem Needs The next stage for Maslow is the need for self-respect and the need for the esteem of others. Esteem, according to Maslow must be “stable and firmly based”. Both stages occur in the later stage of life. In Stage 7 of Erikson’s. he reiterates the need to give back and the idea of mentorship. This is comparable with Maslow’s need for self-respect and esteem of others. At this stage in life, individuals become concern about how the society perceives their importance, relevance and contribution. In contrast, Erikson’s Stage 7 mentions the continuous giving aspect to avoid stagnation, whereas in Maslow’s case, he believes that esteem of others is earned through a life long process that is stable and firmly based. Erikson’s Integrity Versus Despair and Maslow’s Need for Actualization Stage 8- Integrity Versus Despair Integrity during old age happens when a person is able to look back on his life and decide whether he lived it meaningfully or not. The absence of which results to despair and fear of death. Need for Self-Actualization The highest level according to Maslow is that the person is no longer motivated by deficiencies but rather, by the need to “actualize” or fulfill his or her potential. Erikson’s stage 8 is comparable to Maslow’s need for actualization. In the Stage of Integrity Versus Despair, an individual seems to become wary whether he has actually “actualized” his potentials in order for him to avoid despair as he faces the later stage of his life. In contrast, Maslow’s idea of actualization is not really limited to old age. This can be done earlier in life, if possibilities arise. In conclusion, both theorists attempted to provide a step by step understanding on how an individual’s personality is shaped. In Erikson’s however, his steps are very dependent on age and maturity of individuals whereas Maslow’s hierarchy can be applied regardless of age and maturity because the needs he proposed can arise over and over again, depending on the developments within his society. Read More