Question

Tom, a high school senior, is very clear that he wants to study medicine. he spends his summer volunteering at hospitals and studies very hard for all his tests. he subscribes to medical journals so that he does not miss out on developments in the medical field. tom is determined to study at harvard medical school. according to erickson's theory of psychosocial development, tom is demonstrating _____.

Answer 1

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

According to Erickson's theory of psychosocial development, Tom is demonstrating identity versus role confusion.

Erick Erickson established a predetermined order of 8 stages of psychological development. These start in childhood and ends in adulthood.

In the case of Tim, he is passing through stage 5, a psychological crisis of "identity vs. role confusion." The basic virtue of this stage is fidelity, and the years when people live in this stage according to Erickson is from 12 to 18.

The other Psychological states are Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Ego Integrity vs. Dispair.

Answer 2

According to Erickson's theory of psycho-social development, and going by the description above, Tom is demonstrating FIDELITY.

The stage of Fidelity occurs during adolescence (Age 12-19) which should be the range of Tom's age, being an high school senior. His goal and dedication to become a Medical Doctor characterizes the existential question of the Fidelity Stage: Who am I? Who can I be?.