Psych Series #9

Psych Series #9: Stages of Personality Development

This week's 'Psych Series' is taking us back to the good ole college days of Psych 101. There are several theoretical models of personality development that we could review. Today I have chosen to bring you Sullivan's Interpersonal Theory.

Sullivan initially followed Freud and his intrapersonal view. He later developed his own theoretical framework based on interpersonal relationships. Sullivan's model spans from infancy through late adolescence and describes the major developmental tasks humans must accomplish during each stage. Happy reading and keep an eye out for more developmental theories and Psych 101 refreshers coming soon!

Sullivan's Stages of Personality Development

Infancy: Birth to 18 Months
Major Developmental Task:

• Gratification of needs - this is accomplished through such activities as crying, nursing, and thumb sucking.

Childhood: 18 Months to 6 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Learning to experience a delay in personal gratification without undue anxiety - this is accomplished using tools including the mouth, the anus, language, experimentation, manipulation, and identification
  

Juvenile: 6 To 9 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Forming satisfactory relationships within peer groups - this is accomplished using competition, cooperation, and compromise.

Preadolescence: 9 To 12 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Developing relationships with persons of the same sex - this stage is where we learn to initiate feelings of affection for another person and show love.

Early Adolescence: 12 To 14 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Developing a sense of identity that is separate and independent from parents
  
• Forming satisfactory relationships with members of the opposite sex - biological changes and the emergence of lust occur during this stage
  

Late Adolescence: 14 To 21 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Establishing self-identity or interdependence within society
• Experiencing satisfying relationships
• Working to develop a lasting, intimate relationship with a member of the opposite sex

Sullivan based his theory on the belief that all behavior is aimed at relieving or preventing anxiety. He believed that fulfilling all requirements in a person's physicochemical environment (oxygen, food, warmth, tenderness, rest, activity, water, sexual expression, etc) led to the satisfaction of needs. When a person has all needs met, Sullivan believed there was an overall sense of total well-being and interpersonal security. Sullivan identified what he called the 'self-system', a collection of experiences individuals use to protect against anxiety. Within this system, Sullivan identified three components:

• "Good Me" - personality that develops in response to positive feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of pleasure, contentment, and gratification.
• "Bad Me" - personality that develops in response to negative feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of anxiety leading to discomfort, displeasure, and distress.
• "Not Me" - personality that develops in response to situations that produce intense anxiety. Individuals experience feelings of horror, awe, dread, and loathing. These feelings in turn lead to the child denying the feelings in order to relieve anxiety, thus becoming "not me." This type of withdrawal from emotions may lead to mental disorders in adult life.

By using the concepts of Sullivan's theory, we can assist individuals to achieve a higher degree of independent and interpersonal functioning.

As always, wishing you all peace, love and happiness! Look for more Psych 101 refreshers and theoretical models coming soon!