Assignment No 1

Developmental Psychology

Submitted by: Amna Manzoor, Sobia Ehsan, Amna Ahmad

Submitted to: Ma’am Aisha Obaid

Topic: Comparison of Freud’s Psychoanalytic and Erik Erikson

Theory
 Comparison of Freud’s Psychoanalytic and Erik Erikson Theory

Differences Between Freud's Psychosexual Theory and Erikson's Psychosocial

Theory

Differences On the basis Freud's Psychosexual Erikson's Psychosocial

of Theory Theory

Focus of Development Focuses on sexual drives and Emphasizes social interactions

how they influence behavior. and how they shape
personality across the lifespan.

Stages of Development Five stages (Oral, Anal, Eight stages covering the
Phallic, Latency, Genital) entire lifespan (from infancy to
old age).

Lifespan Coverage Development ends in Development continues

adolescence. throughout life, including
adulthood and old age.

Primary Motivation Behavior is driven by Behavior is driven by the need

unconscious sexual and for identity, social
aggressive urges. relationships, and societal
roles.

Role of Parents Parents' role in managing Parents help shape a child’s

sexual impulses is crucial. trust, autonomy, and sense of
initiative.
Key Conflicts Internal conflicts based on id, External conflicts between the
ego, and superego struggles. individual and society.

Similarities between Freud's psychoanalytic theory and Erikson's

psychosocial stages of development

Similarities on the basis Freud's psychoanalytic Erikson's Psychosocial

of theory Theory

Stage-Based Framework Freud’s theory is divided into Erikson proposed eight

five psychosexual stages (oral, psychosocial stages, each
anal, phallic, latency, genital). focusing on a psychosocial
Each stage focuses on an conflict that must be resolved
erogenous zone and for healthy development.
developmental tasks related to
it.
Conflict Resolution Each stage involves a conflict Conflicts are psychosocial,
between biological drives and involving social relationships
social expectations, such as the and cultural expectations.
Oedipus complex during the
phallic stage. Resolving these
conflicts shapes personality.
Early Childhood Importance Freud emphasized the first five Erikson also placed importance
years of life as critical for on early childhood, especially
personality development, as in the first three psychosocial
unresolved conflicts during stages (trust, autonomy,
these stages could lead to initiative).
fixation.
Unconscious Influence The unconscious mind plays a While Erikson focuses more on
 central role, influencing social factors, he also
thoughts and behaviors without acknowledges unconscious
conscious awareness. processes influencing decision-
making and identity formation.
Sequential Nature Development progresses in a Similarly, Erikson’s stages
fixed sequence, with each stage occur sequentially, with
building upon the previous unresolved crises affecting
one. future stages.
Impact of Relationships Freud emphasized the Erikson highlighted broader
influence of early relationships, social and cultural
especially with parents, on relationships, extending
personality development. beyond parents.

Points in Favour of Both Theories

Freud's psychoanalytic theory Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

Highlights early childhood's role in Covers the entire lifespan, including
personality development. adulthood and old age.
Emphasizes unconscious drives and internal Emphasizes social and cultural factors in
conflicts. identity formation.
Introduced structured stages (oral, anal, etc.) Provides clear, socially relevant psychosocial
for development. conflicts.
Lays the foundation for psychotherapy and Widely applicable in education, counseling,
clinical psychology. and healthcare.

Addresses internal conflicts like id vs. Resolving psychosocial conflicts leads to a

superego. stronger sense of identity.
 Points of Criticism of Both Theories

Freud's psychoanalytic theory Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

Stops at adolescence, ignoring adult Focuses on broad stages, neglecting
development. individual differences.

Overemphasizes sexual instincts and Underestimates biological and genetic

psychosexual stages. influences.
Lacks empirical evidence for psychosexual Sequential stages may not apply universally
stages. to all individuals.
Theories are difficult to scientifically validate. Some stages are vague and lack empirical
support.

Neglects social and cultural factors in conflict Simplifies personality traits into single-stage
resolution. conflicts.