QUESTION 1

EPIGENITIC MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION ON CASE STUDY OF R

Erik Erikson’s Epigenetic Model is applied to psychology, where the main feature is that Success
of later stage of a human life depends on how successful and well managed previous stage of a
person was. The 8 stages of human life explained in this model along with the Case Study on R
are as follows: -

1. TRUST v. MISTRUST
Time Duration – 12 months to 18 months (Infant)
Virtue - Hope
During this time, how a child interacts with others is influenced by trust or mistrust. If a child
receives good care, with needs met promptly, comfort provided, and positive interaction, they
develop a sense of the world as safe and hope comes within. On the other hand, inconsistent,
insufficient, or rejecting care can lead to mistrust and fear in the child, affecting their attitude
towards the world and people as they grow.
Case Study
R seems to have developed a basic sense of trust, as she describes her mother, grandmother and
Mrs. Cook (babysitter) as caring for her during infancy by even taking care of her at night,
making sure of immediate response to any of her needs. Her father also did regular chores for her
like changing her diaper, making food for her even though he never did any such thing for
himself. This all denotes how caring environment R was raised in, because of this Hope would
be higher side in her which leads to strong Trust sense in her.
 2. AUTONOMY v. SHAME/DOUBT
Time Duration – 18 months to 3 Years
Virtue – Will Power
At this point of age starts learning no and develop a sense of saying no to things that they don’t
derive pleasure form. The child feels proud of his/her achievements and desires to do things
independently. When parents acknowledge and support the child's desire to do things at their
own speed, the child develops a strong will power which results in a sense of autonomy. But if
the child is pressured a lot and not given any autonomy, it will have self-doubt or shame on
himself, which will result in lack of confidence.
Case Study
In this period of her life, R's father encouraged her to have an independent personality and break
gender stereotypes. She was given freedom to explore activities, although her family had certain
expectations regarding her future achievements. R was once given a Barbie doll to play with but
she threw that because she wanted to play with the Stuffed Tiger toy. This showcases her will
power is strong and because of this Autonomy is there.

3. INITIATIVE v. GUILT
Time Duration – 3 Years to 6/7 Years
Virtue – Purpose
Child's social development at this time is characterized by both initiative and guilt. The way
parents react to their child's self-initiated actions greatly influences whether the child emerges
from this time feeling very responsible or filled with guilt. Children's sense of initiative is
enhanced when they are allowed the flexibility to participate in activities. Conversely, if the
child's play and questions are ignored they grow up with a persistent sense of guilt about starting
things, which will have an impact on them later in life.
Case Study
R describes being able to walk, speak, and read by the age of five, suggesting that she had a
strong sense of initiative. However, she also mentions that she would sometimes feel bored or
disappointed with her activities and want to quit, which could indicate some guilt about not
following through. All of this denoted there was sometimes purpose in her life and sometimes
not.

4. INDUSTRIES v. INFERIORITY
Time Duration – 6/7 Years to 13/14 Years
Virtue – Competence
During this period, the child's rivalry with the same-sex parent and sentiments of affection for
the opposite-sex parent also referred to as the familial romance are calm. Those children who in
this period are appreciated by the people around them and receive adequate attention develop the
spirit of competence in them which later results in transforming them into Industries. They work
hard for their goals and have strong motivation and commitment in their minds. Opposite of this
leads to the child being develop sense and feeling of Inferiority. Because of this the child loses
all motivation and has a feeling of being submissive and low all the time.
Case Study
R achieved great attention from the individuals in her family. She embraced this attention with a
sense of pride in fulfilling her expectation. Some version of Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza
Rice, or combination of both was seen in R. The emphasis by her family was laid on becoming
whatever she founded interest in, be it a lawyer, doctor or financial broker. This whole episode
demonstrates the competency mindset of R rightfully being filled with.
 5. IDENTITY v. ROLE CONFUSION
Time Duration – 13/14 Years to 19/20 Years
Virtue – Fidelity / Loyalty
According to Erikson, developing a good ego identity or overcoming negative role confusion is a
new facet of interpersonal development in adolescence. When this project is successful, the
young person develops a strong sense of psychosocial identity, which gives them a clear idea of
who they are, where they've come from, and where they're going. If they lack somewhere with
the Loyalty this leads to Role Confusion in child and which results questioning his identity.
Individuality and Peer Group have a unique impact on the child at this stage.
Case Study
In this stage of teenage years of R, she faced a cultural shock transitioning to a public high
school (where the real world is) but she strongly resisted against all pressures, maintaining focus
on her academic and career goals. This denotes that she didn’t lacked on fidelity and was able to
identify her role easily.
 6. INTIMACY v. PERSONAL ISOLATION
Time Duration – 21 Years to 28 Years
Virtue – Love
At this stage people are either in close personal relation or would be in isolation. Love is the
major factor which plays up in here. Those who are having it at this stage, share a strong bond
with their partners. But those who lack it at this stage go in isolation which results in mental
breakdown of them. Intimacy, is the capacity to care for and share with another individual
without worrying about losing one's identity.
Case Study
R entered college, pursued her passion for finance, and maintained a long-term relationship. She
chose a school close to her family but far enough for independence, balancing her personal and
professional life. However, the loss of her father may have been a challenge to her sense of
intimacy.

7. GENERATIVITY v. STAGNATION
Time duration – 28 Years to 60 Years
Virtue – Care
According to Erikson, generosity entails a person's developing empathy for people other than
their close relatives. It goes beyond thinking about how the next generation will live and how
society and the earth will be left for them to inherit. Care and Generosity isn't just shown in
parents; it can also be seen in anyone who actively cares about the well-being of youth and
works to improve the environment in which they live and work. Those who lack this care feel
stagnant to one place as if nothing around them in the world is moving.
Case Study
R is working in a demanding career and seems to be making a positive contribution to society.
However, she is still young and this stage is just beginning for her. R's father's unexpected death
became a significant turning point. She faced challenges in her personal and professional life,
including a layoff and pressure to delay marriage. Despite setbacks, she demonstrated resilience
and adaptability.

8. INTEGRITY v. DISPARITY
Time Duration - 60 Years till Death
Virtue – Wisdom
When someone can look back on their life with satisfaction, they feel like they have Wisdom and
integrity. On the other extreme is the one who believes that life is a series of lost chances and
incorrect detours. They come to the realization that it's too late to start over later in life. For
someone like them, dejection about what may have been is a natural result.
Case Study
R is still young and it is too early to say how she will resolve this crisis. However, she seems to
be on a positive path and is likely to find meaning and fulfillment in her life. Therefore, as of
now there can’t be much said about her Wisdom virtue, no one knows where it will go as she has
not reached that phase of life yet but since all her previous stages have been fabulous integrity is
likely to prevail in her.
Overall, Erikson's model provides a helpful framework for understanding R's development.
However, it is important to remember that this is just one model and there are many other factors
that can influence a person's life.

QUESTION 2

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ERIKSON’S THEORY

This Epigenetic Model, proposed by Erik Erikson, offers a comprehensive framework for
understanding human development across the lifespan. The model emphasizes the interaction
between biological maturation and social influences, particularly the psychosocial challenges
individuals face at different stages of life.
The advantage of the Epigenetic Model is its holistic approach, which considers both individual
and environmental factors in shaping personality and identity formation. It highlights the
importance of social relationships, cultural context, and historical influences on development,
promoting a deeper understanding of human diversity.
However, one notable disadvantage of the Epigenetic Model is its limited applicability to
marginalized groups, such as the LGBT community. This model is of 1900’s (the era of this
American-German psychologist) but we living in 21 st Century may face different environmental,
social and cultural things which might have not been in Erikson’s mind. The model's focus on
normative developmental stages and identities may overlook the unique experiences and
challenges faced by LGBT individuals. It fails to address the complexities of sexual orientation,
gender identity, and societal discrimination, which can significantly impact psychosocial
development.
Critics have pointed out that Erikson's theory places excessive emphasis on sequential stages and
implies that the fulfilment of each stage is necessary for the subsequent developmental challenge.
Additionally, his theory highlights social norms present in specific cultures, which may not
universally apply. Robert Peck, a distinguished psychologist, opines that Erikson's theory lacks
thoroughness. He critiques Erikson's framework for its failure to offer a comprehensive and
intricate account of individual psychological and egoistic behaviours.
However, despite its limitations, the Epigenetic Model remains a valuable tool for understanding
human development in general contexts. Its emphasis on the interplay between biology and
environment underscores the dynamic nature of development and the potential for growth and
adaptation throughout the lifespan. By integrating insights from diverse perspectives, researchers
and practitioners can enrich the model to better address the needs of all individuals, including
those from underrepresented communities like the LGBT population.

LESSON’S LEARNED FROM THE CASE STUDY

The case of R provides several lessons on upbringing, resilience, and adaptation to life's
challenges. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Parental Influence and Expectations: R's upbringing was marked by high parental
expectations and a strong emphasis on academic and extracurricular achievements. Her
parents played a significant role in shaping her ambitions and instilling values of
independence and success.
2. Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Despite facing significant challenges such as the
unexpected loss of her father and career setbacks, R demonstrated resilience and
determination. She navigated through difficult times, retook exams, and adapted to
changes in her personal and professional life.
3. Flexibility in Career Path: R initially aimed for careers in law or medicine but
eventually shifted her focus to finance and business due to personal preferences and
considerations of time commitment. Her ability to reassess her goals and make pragmatic
career choices highlights the importance of flexibility and self-awareness.
4. Family Support and Relationships: Throughout her journey, R relied on the support of
her family and close relationships. Her family provided emotional and practical support
during challenging times, highlighting the importance of strong familial bonds in
overcoming obstacles.
5. Balancing Personal and Professional Life: R managed to balance her personal life,
education, and career aspirations effectively. Despite facing pressures from various
sources, she maintained a sense of balance and prioritized her goals while nurturing her
relationships and personal growth.
In summary, R's journey reflects the significance of resilience, adaptability, family support, and
personal growth in navigating life's complexities and achieving success despite setbacks and
challenges.