Theories of Personality Development

Personality Personality comes from the Greek word "persona", meaning "mask".It is the totality of qualities and traits that are associated to a specific

person.

Personality is the particular combination of emotional, attitudinal, and

behavioral response patterns of an individual.

Personality is made up of the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings

and behaviors that make a person unique.

Theories of Personality Development

1) Psychosocial Development Theory

By: Erikson

2) Psycho-Analysis Theory By: Sigmund Freud

Psychosocial Development TheoryErikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory of personality has 8 stages:

1) Trust vs. Mistrust2) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt3) Initiative vs. Guilt4) Industry vs. Inferiority5) Identity vs. Confusion6) Intimacy vs. Isolation7) Generativity vs. Stagnation8) Integrity vs. Despair

Stage-1Trust vs. Mistrust

Birth -to- year 1The first stage of Erikson's theory of psycho-social development occurs from birth. The development of trust is based on the dependability and quality of the child‘s care person. If a child successfully develops trust, he or she will feel safe and secure in the world. If family members, specially mother, is unresponsive, then the child will learn to mistrust people. Moreover, feeding is the most critical event for learning trust or mistrust and mother is the most important social agent.

Stage-2Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

1 year --- 3 years The second stage takes place during early childhood and is focused on children developing a greater sense of personal control. Erikson believe that learning to control one's bodily functions leads to a feeling of control and a sense of independence. Children going through this stage generally insist on doing things on their own. Other important events include gaining more control over food choices, toy preferences, and clothing selection. Toilet training is the most critical event for learning shame or doubt. Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and confident, while those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt.

Stage-3Initiative vs. Guilt

3 years --- 6 years Age of pre-school During the preschool years, children begin to assert their power and control over the world through directing play and other social interactions. The family, and later the teacher, can help the child to take initiative . Teacher should arrange activities so that children are less likely to interfere with one another. Children who are successful at this stage feel capable and able to lead others. Those who fail to acquire these skills are left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative.

Stage-4Industry vs. Inferiority

6 years --- 12 years This is the age of primary and elementary grades. In this stage, children start comparing their academic performance and social action with their peers. Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities. Children who are encouraged parents and teachers develop a feeling of competence and belief in their skills. Those who receive little or no encouragement from parents, teachers, or peers will doubt their abilities to be successful.

Stage-5Identity vs. Confusion

12 years --- 20 years This is a stage of teenagers. Children want to establish their own identity in the society. During adult stage, children explore their independence and develop a sense of self. Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will feel insecure and confused about themselves and the future.

Stage-6Intimacy vs. Isolation

20 years --- 40 years This stage covers the period of early adulthood when people are exploring personal relationships. People face the crisis of trying to share their identity with others in the form of close friendships and with a life partner. Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships with other people. Those who are successful at this step will form relationships that are committed and secure. Failure to establish close relationships leads to a sense of isolation.

Stage-7Generativity vs. Stagnation

40 years --- 65 years This is an age of maturity. During adulthood, we continue to build our lives, focusing on our career and family. Those who are successful during this phase will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and community. Those who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive and uninvolved in the world.

65 years and above This phase occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life. Those who are unsuccessful during this stage will feel that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair. Those who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. Successfully completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a general feeling of satisfaction.

Stage-8Integrity vs. Despair

Psycho-analysis TheoryFreud proposed 3 Categories of Psycho-Analysis Theory:-

1) Structure of the personality2) Psycho-Development3) Psycho-Dynamics

Structure of the personalityId.This category is also called as “pleasure principle”. It is the selfish part of the personality. In this phase, there are irrational demands of person and he/she do not think of any ethical value.

Ego.This is named as “Reality Principle”. It is a balance between Id and super ego. It is totally related to ethics.

Super ego.Super ego is known as “Morality Principle”. It is concerned with the moral and ethical issues of world.

Psycho-Development

It has 5 stages;i. Oral stageii. Anal stageiii. Phallic stageiv. Latency stagev. Genital stage

Oral stage Birth to 2 years According to Freud, mouth is the first organ for providing pleasure to child. It is manifested by chewing and biting. The objective is to establish a comfortable expression and gratification of oral needs without excessive conflict. Succession of oral stage provides a basis in character for a capacity to trust others as well as have a sense of self–reliance and self–trust.

Anal stage

  from 18 – 36 months of age This is essentially a period of striving for independence and separation from control by the parent. Successful resolution leads to development of a capacity for independence and personal initiative without guilt A capacity for self determining behavior without a sense of shame or self doubt also came to personality of person.

Phallic stage from 3rd year of life and goes on till the 5th year. This stage is characterized by primary focus of sexual interests, and excitement in the genital area. This focusing lays the foundation of gender identity. The patterns of identification that emerge from the phallic phase are the primary determinants of the development of human character, according to Freud. This stage gives rise to powerful internal resources for regulation of drive impulses and their direction to constructive ends known as the superego.

Latency stage

 starting at the age of 5 or 6 and going on to age of 11 – 13 years. There is a further integration of sex – role identity. The quietness allows for development of ego and mastery of important skills. This is the phase when there is broadening of contacts with other significant figures outside the family, such as teachers, coaches, and other adults.

Genital stage

 It starts from 11 to 13 years till young adulthood. The primary objective of this phase is the ultimate separation from dependence on and attachment to the parents. The establishment of adult, mature relationships. The person reaches a satisfying capacity for self realization Meaningful participation in the areas of work and love; fulfilling one’s roles and duties.

Psycho-Dynamics Psychodynamic theories place emphasis on unconscious desires and motivations. It especially influences ones past experiences on their health. In Freud’s Psychodynamic theory there are only two drives,

--- Eros --- Thantos

Eros, the drive for love and life. Thantos, the Greek word for death, explained as the

“death instinct”.

In a broader sense, this is a drive for life and for death.

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