Respond to two colleagues who identified different theories than you did. Explain whether you agree with the application to Ray’s case and whether you would apply the theory to your social work practice. Provide support for your position.
. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.
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Post your application of a theory of human development to Ray’s life.
I chose Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development to apply to Ray’s life. Erikson’s theory is based on the notion that we develop through an unfolding of our personalities in predetermined stages and that our environment and surrounding culture influence how we progress through the stages. Ray’s personality continued to develop throughout his lifespan and was influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors (Orenstein, 2022). Each stage in Erikson’s model can have a positive or negative impact on development and can be healed at a later stage. Stages do not have to unfold linearly.
Stage One (birth to 18 months): Trust versus Mistrust or Hope.
Ray was born full-term but suffered some health issues due to secondhand smoke.
Stage Two (18 months to 3 years): Autonomy versus Shame, Doubt, or Will.
Ray develops a close bond with his mother.
Stage Three (3 to 6 years): Initiative versus Guilt or Purpose.
Ray’s mother works two jobs and is not home a lot. His father is stern and loses patience with him. Ray develops breathing issues and needs an inhaler.
Stage Four (6 to 12 years): Industry versus Inferiority or Competency.
Ray moved around a lot and transferred schools several times. He began going to church with his mother and practicing the Catholic faith. Ray developed an unhealthy diet because his family ate out a lot. Ray’s mother develops diabetes and heart issues from being overweight and smoking.
Stage Five (adolescence): Identity versus Role Confusion or Fidelity.
Ray loses his mother to a heart attack when he is only 14 years old and becomes devastated. Ray begins using alcohol to cope and starts smoking. Ray and his father moved into subsidized housing. Ray begins taking care of his dad.
Stage Six (young adulthood): Intimacy versus Isolation or Love.
Ray begins woodworking and finds a mentor. He gets a part-time job and makes friends at work. Ray is working out and has graduated high school. Ray’s father gets sick with lung cancer, and he misses out on the opportunity to attend college. Ray’s father dies. Ray lives alone with his dog and begins to drink again. He is not coping well with his father’s death and begins to neglect himself and his job.
Stage Seven (mature adulthood): Generativity versus Stagnation or Care.
Ray sees a social worker and begins to process his father’s death. He gets a job at a factory, meets his future wife, and gets married. Ray has a son and notices that he loses his temper with him, which is the same abuse he experienced from his father. He has a second child, a daughter. After years of working in the factory, Ray develops back and leg pain.
Stage Eight (old age): Ego Integrity versus Despair or Wisdom.
Ray’s eyesight is diminishing, his hair is graying, and he has physical pain. He begins to better care of himself because he fears leaving his children without a father. Ray applies for disability at age 60, enjoys his grandchildren, and begins woodworking as a hobby. Ray begins to return to his Catholic faith, volunteers and socializes with friends. He needs a wheelchair at age 70 for mobility, is diagnosed with early onset dementia, and gets depressed again. Ray finds peace and fulfillment in the family he has created. At 80, Ray has full-on dementia and passes away surrounded by his family at age 87.
How does the theory deepen your understanding of Ray’s experience?
Using this theory deepened my understanding of Ray’s experience by using it as a model to comprehend his personal growth and identity development through the various stages of his life. Applying the stages helped me understand the challenges Ray experienced and reflect on their positive and negative impacts on his development.
How might this application of theory assist you as a social worker engaging with Ray?
Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development can be utilized by mental health providers when treating patients who are facing periods of adjustment or turning points in life (Orenstein, 2022). Engaging with Ray and using Erikson’s theory can help to create an awareness and understanding of himself. The stages also cover later life instead of focusing on early development, which helps me expand my understanding of aging adults.
Finally, what does Ray’s example tell you about the human spirit, resiliency, and the capacity to evolve?
Ray’s example proves that humans are resilient and can evolve. We may not accomplish everything we want to, but feeling fulfilled at the end of our lives is a positive attribute. Ray faced several difficult challenges throughout his lifespan, and he overcame them all to develop a fulfilling life before his death. Ray’s reconnecting with his Catholic faith was a positive step towards facing his old age and offered him spiritual insight.
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Erickson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development is a theory introduced in the 1950s by Erik Erickson. It built upon Freud’s theory of psychosexual development while expanding it to include the influence of social dynamics as well as psychosocial development into adulthood. It suggests eight sequential stages of development influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors throughout the lifespan. Each stage is defined by two opposing tendencies, one positive and one negative (Orenstein & Lewis, 2022) At each stage, we face a crisis. By resolving it, we can develop psychological strengths that contribute to overall well-being.
Ray’s experiences can be analyzed using Erikson’s stages of development for example, in his early life, using the concepts of trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, and in his childhood, examining industry vs. inferiority.
Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy): Ray’s early experiences, particularly in his family and social environment, shaped his ability to trust others and the world around him. For example, he had a strong bond with his mother, Mary but she was often absent from the home due to working multiple jobs to support the family.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddlerhood): As Ray grew older, he began asserting his independence and exploring his environment. Positive encouragement and support for his autonomy would have fostered a healthy sense of self-confidence but Ray faced criticism during this stage for example, Ray’s father, George was stern and often lost patience with Ray, which resulted in yelling this may have resulted in developing feelings of shame and doubt about his abilities.
Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age): As Ray entered school and began comparing himself to his peers, he would have encountered challenges that tested his sense of industry and competence. Positive experiences in school and other activities would have reinforced his sense of accomplishment and mastery. Conversely, if Ray struggled academically or socially without adequate support, he might develop feelings of inferiority. Due to financial constraints, Ray and his family moved around, spending time in hotels, campsites, and low rent housing. This impacted Ray’s schooling and social development. He often stayed in one location for a short period of time, making it difficult to build relationships and obtain a sense of continuity.
His early life, marked by the absence of his mother, financial instability, illness, and issues with his father, likely impacted his ability to trust others and develop a strong sense of self-esteem. Ray’s struggles in his early adulthood with alcohol misuse, self-care, and tardiness at work following his father’s death may reflect unresolved conflicts from his past, including feelings of guilt and obligation. His decision to sacrifice college to care for his father demonstrates the impact of the challenge of achieving a sense of purpose. As a social worker, applying Erikson’s theory can assist in understanding Ray’s developmental struggles and identifying areas where he may need support. For example, interventions aimed at rebuilding trust, fostering autonomy, and promoting a sense of self-esteem and competence can help Ray navigate his past challenges.
Ray’s example underscores the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and adaptation in the face of adversity and challenges. Despite significant hardships throughout his early life, Ray has demonstrated resilience, determination, and a willingness to seek support in times of need. His story highlights the importance of recognizing individual strengths, as well as fostering supportive relationships.
