Cooley, Mead, Freud, Erikson and Levinson

Behind the Theories on Development

Charles Cooley (1864-1929)

Cooley

He said that the self develops through process of social

interaction

Cooley Influenced by family primarily, then later peer-

groups.

Cooley

Used the analogy of a Looking-Glass (mirror) to describe the 3 stage process of self

Cooley

1. We imagine how our actions appear to others

2. We imagine how others judge our actions

3. We make some sort of self-judgment based on 1& 2

George Herbert Mead (1863-1931)

Mead

He traced people’s awareness of self to primary caregiver

Mead

He said the self is composed of 2 parts-“I” and “Me”

Mead

The “I” portion wishes to have self expression, to be active and spontaneous

I like Mead! Very

Much!!!

Mead

• The “Me” portion is made up of the things learned through the socialization process.  The “Me” makes normal social interaction possible

Mead

He said the self develops in 3 stages

Mead

• Preparatory stage-child imitates others

Mead

• Play stage-child has acquired language and not only imitates, but form role expectations: playing house, cops and robbers.

Mead

oGame stage-child learns there are rules that specify the correct and proper relationship among the players. 

o We learn the expectations of various positions which we interact as well as the expectations of the general audience

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

Freud

• He said the self has 3 separately functioning parts, in which the individual is constantly at struggle.

Freud

Id-the drives and instincts that every human inherits, mostly remain unconscious

Freud

•Superego-society’s norms and expectations, primarily learned from parents

Freud

• Ego-mediates the eternal conflict of the id and superego, also finds socially acceptable ways to express id’s drives.

Erik Erikson (1902-1994)

Erikson

  Human development is

accomplished in 8 stages

Erikson1. Trust vs. Mistrust (up to 1 year) 2. Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt (1-4) 3. Initiative vs. guilt (4-5) 4. Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12) 5. Identity vs. role confusion

(adolescence) 6. Intimacy vs. isolation (young adulthood) 7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (30’s to

50’s) 8. Integrity vs. Despair (old age)

Daniel Levinson (1920-1994)

No Pictures!!

!!

Levinson

• He focused on adult development-said there were 6 stages

Levinson

Early adult period 18-22 Leave adolescence, make preliminary choices for

life Leave the family of origin

Levinson

Getting into adult world 22-28- “form a dream” Make initial choices in love, occupation, friendship,

love and values

Levinson

• Age 30 transitional period-seeks to correct flaws

• Changes in life occur

However, I have no flaws!

Levinson

•Settling down-has reworked flaws

and seeks order and stability

Levinson

Age 40 transitional period-mid-life crisis

Levinson

• Beginning of middle adulthood-mid 40’s

• Reflect on life’s accomplishments

Pavlovian Theory

That’s All Folks!!