“The strength acquired at any stage is tested by the necessity to transcend it i
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Question
“The strength acquired at any stage is tested by the necessity to transcend it in such a way that the individual can take chances in the next stage with what was most vulnerably precious in the previous one. Thus the young adult, emerging from the search for identity, is eager and willing to fuse his identity with that of others. He is ready for intimacy…” (Erikson, Eight Stages of Man, pg 8) Erikson believed that people cannot achieve true Intimacy without first having formed a solid identity as an individual. First, do you agree with Erikson’s position on identity formation and intimacy? Do you see intimacy leading to identity formation in well-functioning individuals, or identity formation leading to intimacy? Can they be separated? Your post should be at least 250 words, include at least one in-text citation,
Explanation / Answer
Erickson talked about the development of an individual in terms of the fact that it follows a pattern. He said that the whole life-span of an individual may be divided into eight stages. Developments and successful completion of one stage will lead the individual to move on to the next stage. The first stage he talked about was the building of trust or mistrust by an infant. An infant is vulnerable and if there is a doting significant other who takes care of the infant, the infant will have a feeling of trust. He/s he may start trusting people and have faith and confidence on them, that in times of need there is someone who will take care of them. Second stage is of autonomy versus shame and doubt which acts as a precursor for the next stage of initiative versus guilt. If the growing child takes the initiative well supported by the significant others, the child will move on to the next stage of industry versus inferiority.
The next stage is of identity versus role confusion. This is the stage of adolescence. Here the developing individual contemplates and tries to figure out what his abilities, capabilities, capacities, values, beliefs etc. are. They develop their schemas about themselves. Knowing ‘who one actually is’ sets the pace for establishing an intimate relationship with other persons.
A healthy relationship entails that the partners know about themselves in detail. Then only they will be in a position to tell the partner about their selves. This is known as self-disclosure. Self-disclosure is pertinent to having an intimate relationship. After completing the process of identifying ones skills, attitudes, beliefs and values, individuals will be in a position to establish, maintain and understand their relationships.
In a way, it may be concluded that only after knowing about oneself, intimate and fruitful relationships may be established with others. Therefore, I would like to conclude that Erikson’s positioning of identity before having intimate relationships is suitable and apt for the stages of development.
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