Psychological Theories of

Human Development
Chapter 2

Human Development Psychology

A

sub-study of psychology which focuses

on how human beings grow and develop
from conception to death.

The Psychosexual Stages of

Development
Sigmund Freud

Freuds Theory of Psychosexual

Development

The central element of

psychoanalysis.

The development of the libido (sexual

drive) in five developmental stages,
and are each characterized by an
erogenous zone, the focus of the
instinctive sexual drive.

Failure to attain essential experiences

in each stage results to fixation.

Sigmund Freuds Theory of Psychosexual

Development

Oral
Stage

Anal
Stage

Phallic
Stage

Latency
Stage

Genital
Stage

The Oral Stage

Period: Birth 1 year

Erogenous Zone: Mouth

Stage Experience: Weaning

Consequences of Fixation:
Orally

aggressive: chewing gum and the ends of pencils, etc.

Orally

Passive: smoking, eating, kissing, oral sexual practices

Passive,

gullible, immature, manipulative personality.

The Anal Stage

Period:

1 3 years

Erogenous

Zone: Anus and Bladder

Stage Experience: Toilet Training
Consequences

of Fixation:

If

Anal retentive: Obsessively organized, or excessively neat

If

Anal expulsive: reckless, careless, defiant, disorganized

The Phallic Stage

Period: 3 6 years

Erogenous Zone: Genitalia

Stage Experience: Undressing and exploring physical

sexual differences

Consequences of Fixation:
Oedipus
Electra

Complex for Males, Castration Anxiety

Complex for Females, Penis-envy

Defense Mechanisms
Repression

Denial
Projection
Displacement
Regression

Sublimation

Latency Stage

Period: 6 years Puberty

Erogenous Zone: Dormant sexual feelings

Stage Experience: Consolidation of habits from the

three earlier stages

Consequences of Fixation:
None,

stages

but should there be any, it would be from earlier

Genital Stages
Period:

Puberty onwards

Erogenous

Zone: Genitalia but with Maturity of

Sexual Interests

Stage

Experience: Consolidation of habits from

the three earlier stages
Consequences of Fixation:
Frigidity,

impotence, unsatisfactory relationships

The Psychosocial Stages of

Development
Erik Erikson

Psychosocial Theory of Development

Developed by Erik Erikson (1902-1994)

Considered as a revision to the

Freudian theory and emphasizes
sociocultural (rather than sexual)
determinants of development.

Proposed eight stages with eight

psychosocial conflicts that must be
successfully resolved in order to
attain healthy psychological
adjustment.

Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to

1 Year)
Children begin to learn the ability to trust.
Inability to feel trust leads to mistrust.
The mother or the caregiver is the key
social agent.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (13 yrs.)

Children

start to learn to become autonomous

to feed and dress themselves, look after their
own hygiene.
Failure to achieve autonomy will result to doubt
of ones own abilities.
Parents are key social agents.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 yrs.)

At

this stage, children will attempt to act like a

grown-up and initiate themselves in
responsibilities that are beyond their
capabilities.

Conflict

with parents and family members

because of this may lead to guilt.
The family becomes the key social agent.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12

yrs.)
This

is the time children master essential social

and academic skills.
If children are sufficiently industrious, they will
develop social and academic skills and will feel
self-assured.
Failure will result to feelings of inferiority.
Key

social agents include teachers and peers.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (1319 yrs.)

Starts

during adolescence a crossroad

between childhood and maturity.
Who am I?
Establishment

of basic social and occupational

identities or will remain confused about the
roles that they should play as adults.

Key

social agents include society and peers.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (20-40

yrs., young adulthood)
The

need for string friendships, sense of love

and companionship a shared identity. Inability
of addressing these needs leads to feelings of
loneliness and isolation.

Key

social agents include lovers, spouses, close

friends.

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (4065 yrs., middle adulthood)

Adults face the tasks of being productive in various

areas (family, career, looking after the needs of young
people).

Generativity the concern in establishing and guiding

the next generation... the concept is meant to
include... productivity and creativity.

Those who are unable or unwilling to assume such will

face stagnation or may become self-centered.

Key social agents include spouse, children, and

cultural norms.

Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair (65

yrs. Onwards, Old Age)
The

old adult looks back at life. Retrospective

happy and fulfilled recollection at life leads

to ego integrity

life full of disappointment, unfulfilled

promises, and unrealized goals leads to despair.