To start the course project, you will select ONE of the following theories related to psychosocial development in emerging adulthood. This is the theory you will focus on for the course project and once the theory has been selected, you cannot change it. First, go to chapter 14 in your text and read the few paragraphs there regarding the theories below. Then pick the one you are most interested in. The options are:
· Erikson’s Intimacy versus Isolation
· While the goal is for everyone in your discussion group to be able to select the theory they are most interested in, as a group, you must make sure that each theory is selected by at least two group members.
· Once you have selected the theory you will focus on, read the original writing related to that theory that is provided here. You will then provide some feedback and critique the original writing.
· Erikson: The original writing you will review includes excerts from two books written by Erikson in 1950 and 1978. The excerts all focus on the stage of develment related to emerging adulthood as described by Erikson. Citation: Erikson, E. H. (Erik H. (1950).
Childhood and society. Norton. & Erikson, E. H. (Erik H. (1968).
Identity : youth and crisis (First edition.). W.W. Norton.
Your Initial Response
For this discussion assignment, you will explain which theory you are examining and why that theory was of interest to you. After reading how the chapter explains the theory AND the original writing from the theorist, answer the following questions:
· Why did you select this theory? What is your initial opinion about the theory before reading anything about it for this class?
· Does the theory highlight a main focus of emerging adulthood? Why or why not?
· Is the theory missing something?
· Is it adding aspects, tasks, details, etc that aren’t especially relevant to or the focus of development during emerging adulthood?
· Consider when the theory was initially formulated. How do you think society, culture, etc of that time may have influenced the author when they developed their theory? Explain how the social context surrounding the theory development influenced the original theory.
· Could the theory be used to explain development from diverse perspectives? Why or why not?
· How do these theories in the original writing compare to the text discussion?
· How do they compare to your own experiences and self-perceived development in this phase so far?
· What is your overall opinion on the initial writing of the theory author? Were you surprised by any of the writing or was it what you expected? In your opinion, what role should this theory play today in developmental psychology? Are there any changes to the theory that are needed in order for it to fit into how development is viewed today? Anything else you’d like to add?
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If you are not currently in the emerging adulthood phase of development, consider these questions while either thinking ahead to or looking back on emerging adulthood.
