Psychosocial theory of development was proposed by?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Explanation

Erik Erikson is the theorist credited with developing the psychosocial theory of human development.
His theory is unique in that it covers the entire lifespan, from birth to old age, not just childhood.
It is structured around eight distinct stages, each characterized by a specific psychosocial conflict or crisis that must be resolved.
Erikson's stages emphasize the individual's relationship with family and culture as primary drivers of personality development, a key difference from Freud's focus on psychosexual urges.

Option A: Sigmund Freud developed the theory of psychosexual development, not psychosocial development.
Option C: Clark is not a recognized major theorist in the field of psychosocial development.
Option D: Miller is not associated with the psychosocial theory of development.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Theories of Human Development as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use Erikson's theory to provide age-appropriate care that addresses the specific psychosocial needs of patients at different life stages.
For example, when caring for a toddler (Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt), a nurse should encourage independence by offering simple, safe choices, such as which arm to use for a blood pressure reading.
Understanding these stages helps in patient education, setting realistic goals, and supporting family members in coping with a patient's developmental challenges during illness or hospitalization.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Psychosocial theory'.
This is a direct recall question that tests your knowledge of major developmental theorists.
Mentally review the main theories associated with each option. Associate Freud with 'psychosexual', which is a common distractor for 'psychosocial'.
Recognize that Erik Erikson is the theorist most famously linked to the 'psychosocial' stages of development.
Eliminate the other options (Clark, Miller) as they are not prominent names in this specific area of developmental psychology.
Confirm your choice by recalling that Erikson's theory spans the entire life and involves conflicts like 'Trust vs. Mistrust'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 164-166

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 3364-3366

Practise the full IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.