Psychobiography is group within the realms of psychology and biography that analyzes the lives of historically significant individuals through the use of psychological theory and research. Sigmund Freud invented psychobiography, while he was analyzing the psychological elements of Leonardo da Vinci’s creative mind (Kovary, 2011). The goal is to understand individuals and to uncover the private motives behind public acts (Schultz, 2016). A lot of important figures have been subjects for psychobiographical books such as Gandhi, Marilyn Monroe, Abraham Lincoln, and many more. One of the important psychobiography theories is Erik Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, which includes eight different stages. Erikson’s theory was influenced
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Erikson also believed that the adolescent period is a crucial stage to develop an individual’s identity, which needs a great amount of emphasis. The theory follows the epigenic principle, which is the principle for psychosocial development, based on a biological model, in which parts emerge in order of increasing differentiation (Cloninger, 2012). According to Erikson, completion of each stage results in a healthy personality (McLeod, 2013). Erikson assumes that a crisis can occur at each stage of development. However, if an individual fails to complete a stage it can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and develop an unhealthy personality (McLeod, …show more content…
shame and doubt (18 months to 3 years of age). Children discover that they can acquire many abilities (e.g. putting on shoes), demonstrating independence and autonomy. To master this stage, a parent must be patient with their child and let them explore the limits of their abilities while also being encouraging (McLeod, 2013). Failure to complete this stage will develop a sense of shame and feel insufficient in their ability to survive since they are not given the opportunity to become independent. Relating this stage to my own life, I have discovered that I have not fully mastered this stage. I did live in dormitory during my time at Pace University, which demonstrates me being independent. However, I noticed that I do experience shame and feeling
Erikson also believed that the adolescent period is a crucial stage to develop an individual’s identity, which needs a great amount of emphasis. The theory follows the epigenic principle, which is the principle for psychosocial development, based on a biological model, in which parts emerge in order of increasing differentiation (Cloninger, 2012). According to Erikson, completion of each stage results in a healthy personality (McLeod, 2013). Erikson assumes that a crisis can occur at each stage of development. However, if an individual fails to complete a stage it can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and develop an unhealthy personality (McLeod, …show more content…
shame and doubt (18 months to 3 years of age). Children discover that they can acquire many abilities (e.g. putting on shoes), demonstrating independence and autonomy. To master this stage, a parent must be patient with their child and let them explore the limits of their abilities while also being encouraging (McLeod, 2013). Failure to complete this stage will develop a sense of shame and feel insufficient in their ability to survive since they are not given the opportunity to become independent. Relating this stage to my own life, I have discovered that I have not fully mastered this stage. I did live in dormitory during my time at Pace University, which demonstrates me being independent. However, I noticed that I do experience shame and feeling