Psychosocial Stages of Development - Essay Example

November 7, Assignment Erikson's psychosocial stages of development provide an understanding of environmental challenges each individual face dependent upon their chronological age. Erikson believes that during adolescents' teenagers progress through identity versus confusion. During this stage adolescents learn to develop themselves and form an identity. "According to Erikson's psychosocial model of development, identity must be perceived by the individual, but also recognized and confirmed by others" (The University of New Mexico, n.d.).

Upon the successful conclusion of this phase, the adolescent will learn to accept and understand themselves. However, if this stage is not successfully resolved the adolescent will continue to feel lost and unguided during adulthood. In contrast, Marcia expanded on Erikson's theory of psychosocial development adding new stages that he believed adolescents chronologically progress through. Erikson believed that adolescents are heavily influenced by their peers and role models. These influences may hinder the development of the self.

Marcia expanded Erikson's theory on psychosocial development. Marcia believed that adolescents experienced four identity statuses. Moreover, Marcia believed that adolescents can be divided into categories of egos and identity statuses based on their experiences. In contrast to Erikson Marcia believed that adolescents face another stage of identity development based upon their chronological development. This stage can be determined if the adolescent has experienced a crisis and formed a commitment.

Adolescents that have achieved a crisis and formed a commitment are considered to have achieved an identity. Adolescents that do not perceive social norms and rules established by parents, teachers, or other authority figures are deemed in the foreclosure stage. Adolescents that have successfully reached the foreclosure stage no longer feel the inner conflicts associated with dual roles and expectations in regard to societal norms. In comparison, some adolescents seek to stray from societal norms.

Individuals in this category as referred to as moratorium. These adolescents exhibit more focus on conflicting roles in comparison to accepting their roles. Similar to Erikson's resolve of the identity versus confusion stage, Marcia believed that adolescents that do not complete the moratorium have a delayed sense of identity. According to Dewey (2006), "Sometimes teenagers deliberately postpone making any lasting commitment. This is called a "moratorium" phase, with identity put on hold." Moreover, adolescents that do not experience a crisis or develop a commitment are termed as lacking an identity.

"This has been called "a commitment to not making a commitment." Marcia placed a stronger emphasis on individual commitment than Erikson did in describing the process of identity formation. According to the University of New Mexico (n.d.), "In Marcia's model, identity involves the adoption of 1) a sexual orientation, 2) a set of values and ideals, and 3) a vocational direction." Marcia's theory branches off of Erikson's psychosocial development in explaining how identity is formed and the conflicts that arise during adolescents.

Moreover, "Erikson felt that adolescents were engaged in a struggle between identity and feelings of confusion" (Dewey, 2006). Upon successful resolution of the stage, Erikson would argue that the adolescent learns fidelity and loyalty in their developed self (Boeree, 2006).