Applying Erikson’s Theory Of Psychosocial Development On Neil Hughes’ Life Experience

Life Experience and Development

Erik Erikson was a famous German psychoanalyst, vigorously affected by Sigmund Freud, explored three sections of character: the sense of self character (self), individual personality (the individual characteristics that distinguish one man from another), social/cultural character (the congregation of social responsibilities a man may carry out) (Habermas and Reese 2015). Erikson’s psychosocial concept of development studies the influence of external elements, guardians and society on identity advancement from childhood to adulthood (Erikson 2014). In the year 1950, he first published his book Childhood and Society where he included his concept of development, dividing it into eight stages (Knight 2017). Erikson trusted that his psychosocial guideline is hereditarily inescapable in forming human improvement. It happens in all individuals. In this essay the life of Neil Hughes, a participant of the documentary films called Up series has been analysed. The different ups and downs as experienced and accounted by him in his interview have been discussed, and then Erikson’s psychosocial theory of development has been applied to judge its relevance in his life. Based on the happenings in Neil’s life, in the end, a timeline has been drawn up for better understanding.

In the documentary series 56Ups, a group of British-born adults are interviewed to share the changes that have taken place in their lives. From 7Up in 1964, every 7 years this series has returned with the same group of people. Neil Hughes is one of them. Neil experienced the most extraordinary difficulties in his life. Neil’s life resembled an up and down roller coaster ride. Nobody could have anticipated what would transpire in the years that took after. At first, it appeared he would have been fruitful in life. He was born in the year 1956 and then dreamt of going to Oxford one day. At 7 Neil was a splendid, cheerful and pure-hearted tyke. He was presumably the cutest and most affable youngster on the arrangement. However, from the age of 16, he started having a nervous complaint, wanting to be out all the times, doing something or changing things. He was raised in a Liverpool Suburb. Neil went to Aberdeen University just for one semester before dropping out (Telegraph.co.uk 2012).

The inconveniences still proceeded in the wake of dropping out of school. At the point when Neil achieved masculinity at 21 years old, he was destitute with no pay. His living circumstance wasn’t perfect for somebody at his age, who might graduate school and land a position. Neil was resting in a haven amid the time when he was in his mid-twenties. The occupations he could discover would be physical work or nothing by any means. What’s to come wasn’t searching so brilliant for Neil. At the point when talked with, it was found he had lost his drive and enthusiasm. His life spiralled as he gradually abandoned everything he could ever want. At 28 Neil has been unemployed for a long time (Christiansen 2012). He invests his energy going around as he thinks that it’s difficult to settle down and focus on one place. He has indications of discouragement as he is unmotivated and he has a significant negative touch on life. Any piece of cash he can discover he uses to purchase liquor to nourish his habit. It’s so dismal to see a 28-year-old so forlorn and dull. In the interviews, Neil would discuss his youth and how he was so honoured. He likewise says how he wishes he adhered to his energy and escaped college. Rather than utilising this to propel him, he just deteriorates and more awful. It’s practically similar to he is fleeing from his issue as opposed to confronting it (Waterlow 2012).

Application

The life Neil was driving, as a vagrant did not change until he was 35 years of age. Neil moved to Scotland and was living in full daylight lodging. It appeared life was improving for him now that he changed areas. He was resting in better living conditions and had even gotten an occupation as an author and a mime (Christiansen 2012). After everything Neil Hughes has experienced in his life, it appears as though everything is going his way for once. Now it demonstrates that regardless of how honoured you are as a tyke it doesn’t mean you will consequently have a fruitful life. It can be of help, yet even the most honoured can lose the faith. Neil didn’t snatch the open doors he had with two hands, and he looked as they snuck past his hands. We see at 42 up, that not all was lost, in truth, he finally had some security in his life. He seems a great deal more joyful be that as it may, now he just appeared to be so forlorn (Waterlow 2012). It must be hard being 42, and not having an accomplice to love and to be adored. Neil’s life changed significantly when he partook in nearby gathering governmental issues in the group. He turned into a Liberal Democrat in Hackney, England. His life made a turn for the best when he turned into a District Counsellor in Cumbria, England. During his early days in London, he was working as a lay reader (Dowell 2012). With more training, he received a relicensing from the Bishop of Carlisle. Neil experienced such a large number of high points and low points yet now is making a course for satisfaction and achievement. At times, he admitted, he has felt suicidal even, behaving erratically at times, and getting frustrated or angry for no reason. However, eventually, he understood he could help himself better. The inability to get support and help from the different psychiatric establishments can be counted as a safeguarding issue that Neil had to face in his life. Different therapeutic techniques did nothing other than leading him to this exact conclusion.

Neil Hughes is a fantastic case of somebody who settled on terrible choices, which have harmed him later on. He experienced hardships and groundbreaking occasions amid his life. Neil got to be distinctly dynamic in the group and turned his life around. Amid all the good and bad times, Neil has pulled through and ultimately is upbeat and fruitful.

Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development

Coming to the application of Erikson’s psychosocial theory of development in Hughes life, a brief would be required about the eight developmental stages and how they relate to the Hughes. Erikson, reminiscent of Freud, was to a great degree concerned with how identity and conduct are impacted after birth – not before birth – and mainly at the time of adolescence (Baltes and Schaie 2013). Like other fundamental ideas, Erikson’s model is straightforward and rich, yet exceptionally refined. The theory is a reason for extensive or complex examination and investigation of identity and conduct, and furthermore to understand and for encouraging self-improvement – of self as well as other people (Schultz and Schultz 2016). Erikson believed that humans grow from infancy to adulthood, and in stages of their lives they experience a new challenge – something that is similar to what Neil has experienced. The eight stages of development have been discussed further on, with relation to the life experiences of Neil Hughes.

The first period of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial change occurs among birth and one year of age and is the most fundamental stage in life. In the midst of the first or second year of life, the critical emphasis is on the mother and father’s supporting limit and tend to youth, exclusively to the extent of visual contact and touch. The tyke will make great confidence, trust, conviction, and safety if fittingly tended to and managed (Newman and Newman 2014). Very little has been known about Neil’s early life before seven years of age, apart from just the knowledge that he wished to get enrolled at Oxford University and then become an astronaut (Waterlow 2012).

The second stage occurs amongst eighteen months and three years. Presently, the child has an opportunity to develop self-view and self-control as he or she increases new capacities and perfect from misguided. The especially tended to a child is sure of himself, holding himself or herself with pride rather than disrespect. In the midst of this time defiance, temper tantrums, and tirelessness can in like manner appear (Kroger 2014). From the interviews and what has been commented by people who knew him, he was described as being affable and naughty at the same time.

The third period of psychosocial change occurs in the midst of the preschool years from 3 to 5 years. Presently in psychosocial progression, youths begin to express their vitality and control over the world through organizing play and other social participations. Kids who are successful at this stage feel capable and prepared to lead others. The people who disregard to get these aptitudes are left with a sentiment censure, self-instability, and nonattendance of movement. Exactly when a flawless modify of individual action and energy to work with others is refined, the mental self-viewing quality known as reason rises (Kail and Cavanaugh 2015).Might be during this time of his life, Hughes decided what he wants to become and where he wanted to study.

The fourth psychosocial organize occurs in the midst of the early school years from around age 6 to 12. Through social affiliations, adolescents begin to develop a sentiment pride in their accomplishments and limits. Youths who are engaged and lauded by gatekeepers and instructors develop a slant wellness and confidence in their capacities. The people who get no support from guards, teachers, or partners will scrutinize their abilities to be viable (Arnett, Žukauskien? and Sugimura 2014).Hughes grew up in the Liverpool suburbs, becoming a friendly and cheerful urchin. He had his dreams that we wanted to pursue and be successful.

Coming to the fifth stage, change depends on upon what a man has to face. Presently, change now depends basically on what a man does. A juvenile ought to fight to discover and find their specific character whilst masterminding and doing combating with social affiliations and “fitting in”, and developing a sentiment moral quality and suitable from off course. Some attempt to concede admission to adulthood and draw once more from commitments (moratorium). Those who are unproductive in this stage tend to face confusion and change (Dezutter et al. 2014).Hughes had to face the same. Not being able to join Oxford, he enrolled in Aberdeen but left that also after the first semester. He lost his way, became a destitute and lived in horrible conditions.

At the young adult stage, from 18 to 35 years of age, people tend to search for cooperation and affection. Some also begin to “settle down” and start families, regardless of the way that seems to have been pushed back more remotely, starting late. Young adults search for significant closeness and satisfying associations, however, if unsuccessful, isolation may happen. Basic associations at this stage are with bridal accessories and colleagues (Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields 2014). However, Hughes never attempted to build any relationship like that. He lived in poor conditions, worked different jobs and then finally became interested in contributing something to local communities and the politics.

Employment and work are the most key elements of this seventh stage, close by family. Focus adulthood is in like manner the time when people can go up against more important obligations and commands. For this stage, endeavouring to set up soundness and Erikson’s idea of generativity – attempting to make something that has any impact on society (Côté 2014).At this point, Hughes full-fledged joined politics and became a district counsellor in Cumbria. He knew where he needs to head and find stability.

The last psychosocial organize occurs in the midst of position and is based on pondering back life. As more settled adults, some can recall with an assessment respectability — that is, fulfilment and accomplishment, having had a vital presence and productive responsibility to society. Others may have a sentiment dejection in the midst of this stage, reflecting upon their experiences and disillusionments (Zalenski and Raspa 2016).Hughes has no regret of the life he has chosen. He is happy to have made way for himself, even though he seems forlorn. He says he wishes to live a short life, not more than 70 years and if he ever gets married he would not like to have children of his own.

Conclusion

From the TV series 56Ups, in this essay, the life course of Neil Hughes was analysed and compared with the eight stages of development in Erik Erikson psychosocial theory of development. The life course approach can be applied to health care while interacting with patients of all ages and stages of life. The approach would help in understanding the intergenerational context of patients and build a relationship with them accordingly. While interacting with the patients, as a practitioner, the life course approach would help recognize the temporal dimensions of patients and present the chance to concentrate entirely on health.

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