Essay About Theories Of Erikson And Different Stages Of Development

Development and Punishment
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DEVELOPMENT AND PUNISHMENT.
At the beginning of this class, we discussed the different stages of development in middle
and high schoolers. So in this paper, I will use the theories of Erikson, Elkind and Milner’s
stages of development and I will compare them with “Not Much just chilling” and “Nobody Left
To Hate”.I will then discuss whether or not I agree with Erikson, Elkind and Milner’s theories. I
will also apply Elkinds theory of Vanishing Makers and his discussion on what the problem with
pre-teens and teens are. Finally, I will use Milners theory of social status and how this is critical
in forming a group and or self identity in Junior High and High School.The second question was
to conduct a research on punishment styles and effect. I will discussed the research I conduct and
talk about how parent disciplined their children these days.Then I will use my own observation
and experience to agree or not on todays form of punishment.
In Eriksons Stage Four, he states that this stage pertains to children that are in Grade
School (K-5) at which means the children are the ages of six to eleven. He states that the basic
conflict in this stage that children strive to get good grades, and that things such as school,
hobbies, and to have structure. Erikson also states that the outcome of this strive is that “success
leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority.” What Erikson is
stating is that to a middle schooler, it is very important to get good grades and to have a very
structured life where the child parent , teacher and after school helpers in one’s life.
Eriksons Stage Five states that this stage consists of Junior High and High School students,
who are of the ages between twelve and eighteen. Erikson states that the basic conflict is ones
identity and the most important thing is to the ability to get accepted into high schoolers peer
group. He mentions that “teens need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success
leads to an ability to stay true to yourself, while failure results in feelings of inferiority.” I believe
what Erikson is trying to say is that it is better to fit in with his peer group to get good grades;
and that if a student dose not fit in with his or her pear group he or she will develop a low self
esteem and become depressed.
By comparing Eriksons Stage Four and Five in regards to Perlsteins “Not Much
Just Chill `in” and Aronsons “Nobody Left to Hate”; I will give one example of a student from
each book and describe how their life was different from Grade School to the way they view
school and structure now in Junior High School. One illustration where we can see this stage in
effect in regards to school work and grades, is with Eric. Eric was a good student before he
entered Junior High School and always did his homework and even had a strait B average in the
beginning of the sixth grade; and he also states that he could get all As if he tried; but by the end
of the eight grade Eric “sometimes do his work and sometimes he doesnt” (16) The reason
for this as Perlstein states is because a “thirteen year old cant get interested in anything that
bores them, no matter how many times they are persuaded to do it, This is important, youll see
why in ten years.” (16) The reason for the change in his mind is because before Eric cared what
his teachers and parents thought of him and to be a good student meant that he would receive
rewards such as a pizza party; but now Perlstein later goes on to say that the threat of being made
fun of and called a “teachers pet” or an “egghead” are too mush for him and that he would rather
fail then to be made a laughing stock of the school.
Furthermore, in regards to Eriksons Stage Five in comparison to “Nobody Left to Hate” by
Aronson. Aronson states that the social status of a High School student is very important to the
make up of a hierarchy in school. He believes that it is this status that made the two psychos
Harris and Kelbold become evil. Aronson mentions that Harris was described as a “creepy”
person would have surprised students in his old school in Plattsburgh, New York. Aronson”
states that “when teenagers move to a new town they have difficulty adjusting to their new
situations” (35) as one of the justifications for Harris being an outcast in Columbine. He also
states that Harriss need to not conform to