Jean Piaget

Jean Piaget

Jean Piaget viewed personality from cognitive perspective. He opined that human being inherit two basic organizational and adaptation tendencies, which are processed and kept in a state of balance necessary for intellectual processing. He calls this equilibration.

Another eminent psychologist that discussed the development of personality extensively was Erickson. He based personality development on epigenetic principle, which postulates personality of an individual to be ego driven. He point that" personality form as ego progresses through series of interrelated stages". The stages, according to Erickson are eight as follows:

Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to 1 year): The experience here is in terms of childcare, maternal relationship and genuine affection, etc. The child at this stage needs to be gratified these basic needs consistently and continually. He needs to have some kinds of experience to think of the world as a dependable and safe place for existence. If on the other way found, inadequate and inconsistent care is shown to the child, there would be a growing mistrust, fear and suspicion in the perception of the world by the child. Thus, parents, especially mothers with whom the child first identifies, should develop close intimacy with their children. They must provide the protection, affection and gratuity those basic needs of the child so that the child perceives the world as a dependable and safe placer for existence.

2 to 3 years (years of autonomy versus shame and doubt): Coming next in experience after trust or mistrust is autonomy versus shame and doubt. This stage coincides with the pre-school age. According to Erickson, children should "be encouraged and allowed to do what they are capable of doing at their own pace and in their own way but with judicious supervision by parents and teachers", pointing that this will aid their sense of autonomy. Shame and doubt would inadvertently erode the child's life if there is a failure in the gratification of these needs.