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Theory Paper: Child Development Theories
Numerous theories explain early childhood development. Most of these have been tested leading to significant findings both on their use and shortcoming in explaining early development (Allen, 2016). Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual theory and Eric Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development are perfect examples of such theories. In this study, the two theories are analyzed to understand the concepts and use in parenting. The reason for choosing these two being that besides being most popular, they address the needs of early development realistically, and consider the innate, environmental and social factors of development. Although similar in some ways, Eric Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development is the best compared to Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual theory it considers sociocultural factors of development.
Psychosexual Stages of Development
Freud’ theory argues that individual’s personality is shaped up by their childhood experiences. And as individuals grow, they pass through five stages of development namely oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital (May, 2013). These are parts of the body that Freud explains as pleasure points (Allen, 2016). Children focus on full filing the urges of these pleasure points as they grow up, and if proper parenting is lacking at any stage, one may end up stuck in or fixated at that particular stage.
The oral stage (0-1 years) is the first with the child’s pleasure point as the mouth.

Therefore, children desires include those of full filling oral needs with sucking reflexes. The second stage is Anal (1-3 years) in which the child not only experiments with urine and feces but also learns to control their bodily functions when well guided (Allen, 2016). Phallic is the third stage (3-6) in which they grow their sexual senses. Boys desire to replace their fathers while girls desire to replace their mothers in what is Freud refers to as Oedipus complex and Electra complex respectively.
The fourth stage is Latency (6-12 years) that children begin to develop conscience leading to the adoption of values from their parents and other adults (Allen, 2016). Finally, children enter a genital stage that occurred after attaining 12 years of age. Here, they reinvent their sexual impulses leading to instances of active sexual behaviors.
Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development
Erickson theory focuses on sociocultural factors of development which he puts in eight stages. Every individual must overcome these factors to well adjust in the environment and grow up. The first stage begins from infant to 18 months, and involves children learning to trust others. The reason for this is that babies see the world as a threat (Studer, 2006). The sense of threat is usually replaced by trust depending on how the people around treat them. The second stage (18 months- 3 years in which children develop the concepts of shame, autonomy and doubt. They learn to self-care especially changing clothes and feeding themselves. Stage three (3- 5 years) involves developing the sense of exploring things. This is the stage they learn to do tasks on their own and seek help when facing challenges (Studer, 2006). The other stage is Industry vs. Inferiority (5-13 years) and involve developing self-awareness, logical reasoning, and other lessons taught in class. Stage five (13-21 years) involves developing identity, self-discovery, and personhood. The person one becomes at this stage may be influenced by the society’s expectations (Allen, 2016). The sixth stage involves finding intimacy; finding the right partner, and occurs between 21-39 years. Stage seven occurs between 40-65 years, and involves developing the meaning and commitment at their work and society. Finally, the age after 65 years occur involving developing a sense of fulfillment contentment and happiness depending on how they spent their youth.
Similarities
Both theorists focus on early experiences of a child at different stages and impacts on personality development. They agree that childhood is vital in personality development, and any negative experience such as trauma can distort personality (Allen, 2016). They also acknowledge conflict in childhood that when not well addressed, can lead to negative behaviors. For example, Freud stage one involves child’s full filling oral desires and requiring proper feeding, failure to which may result in the nail-biting (May, 2013). Similarly, Erikson’s stage one involves child building trust if well cared for by the parents. Parents’ failure in this role results in a child developing mistrust. Finally, both theorists agree that unconscious mind is important in personality development.
Differences
Freud theory revolves around sex while Erickson centers his concepts of social and cultural factors. Also, Erickson theory reveals this conflict is solved when one learns to care and love others. On the contrary, Freud’s theory reveals that conflict is solved when one receives enough gratification in their early developmental stages. Also, Freud emphasized that personality developed during adolescent while Erickson believes that one’s personality development is continuous. Moreover, Freud seems to identify only one stage of adulthood, Genital Stage. On the other hand, Erickson has divided adulthood into three stages named Intimacy vs. Isolation, generatively vs. Stagnation and Integrity vs. Despair. Consequently, Freud came up with five stages while Erickson came up with eight.
Rationale for the Best
Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development is the best in explaining childhood development. It not only brings up an adequate division of development but also categorizes adulthood in a more realistic way than Freud’s. For example, adulthood is not about sex but also other needs such as work, service to the society, and respectable personality guided by integrity and achievement as Erickson’s theory explains. More importantly, Ericson’s theory considers the influence the social factors such as expectations, reception, and learning to personality development.
Conclusion
In brief, both Freud’s and Erickson’s theories of development are important since they help understand the needs of a child at each stage for proper development. Therefore, they can help one achieve the best personality when used in parenting and at school. However, Erickson’s is the best due to its consideration of social, cultural and innate factors. This can be by providing the child with the best counseling and guidance to ensure they achieve the best behavior. For example, caring and providing the baby with all its needs at the first stage will result in its healthy behavior and trusting the parents. There is, however, the need to research ways in which parents can integrate these theories for improved parenting.
References
Allen, B. P. (2016). Personality Theories: Development, Growth, and Diversity. Abingdon, Oxon: Psychology Press.
May, U. (2013). Freud’s “Beyond the pleasure principle”: The end of psychoanalysis or its new beginning? International Forum of Psychoanalysis, 22(4), 208-216. doi:10.1080/0803706X.2012.743681
Studer, J. R. (2006). Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages Applied to Supervision. Guidance & Counseling, 21(3), 168-173.