Erik Erikson’s theory lays stress on conscious ego processes and his concept of _____ has drawn considerable attention.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Identity Crisis
Option (1) Archetypes — Incorrect. Archetypes belong to Carl Jung: the collective unconscious consists of archetypes or primordial images, inherited and found in the myths, dreams and arts of all mankind, such as the God or the Mother Earth.
Option (2) Identity Crisis — Correct. Erikson’s theory stresses rational, conscious ego processes and gives ego identity a central place in lifelong development. His concept of the identity crisis of adolescent age has drawn considerable attention: young people must generate for themselves a central perspective and a direction that gives them a meaningful sense of who they are.
Option (3) Basic Anxiety — Incorrect. Basic anxiety is Karen Horney’s concept. When parents are indifferent, discouraging or erratic, the child feels insecure, and this feeling is called basic anxiety.
Option (4) Desire for Freedom — Incorrect. This idea comes from Erich Fromm, who viewed human beings as basically social and argued that growth and realisation of potentials result from a desire for freedom and striving for justice and truth.
NCERT (2025-26): “Erik Erikson : Search for Identity … Erikson’s theory lays stress on rational, conscious ego processes in personality development. In his theory, development is viewed as a lifelong process, and ego identity is granted a central place in this process. His concept of identity crisis of adolescent age has drawn considerable attention. Erikson argues that young people must generate for themselves a central perspective and a direction that can give them a meaningful…” |