Introduction
It is worth noting that personality theories are thoroughly verified inferences or hypotheses about what people are, how they conduct themselves, and why they act this or that way. A critical element in any personality approach is the concept of personality development and how the motivational factors of personality functioning change from babyhood to adulthood to the old period. In addition, the identification of genetic or environmental factors that influence personality. Thus, it is essential to establish how the development of a 47-year-old woman of the Caucasian race, who now works as a nurse, correlates with the basic theory of development.
Eric Erikson’s Theory
In the first stage of development, children should establish a trusting attitude toward the environment and people. It is necessary to emphasize that in the first year of life, this attitude is not formed forever but emerges again at each subsequent stage of life (Maree, 2021). This brings both hope and danger because children who come to school with a sense of wariness may gradually develop trust in some teacher who does not allow unfairness to kids. It could be argued that the 47-year-old woman experienced trust in her environment. This is evidenced by the fact that she chose a profession whose purpose is to help people and which requires constant communication. Simultaneously, the woman is of Caucasian race and was sheltered in the traditions of this culture, but from childhood, she was open to other cultures. Thus, this influenced the nurse to care for and identically help all patients.
Meanwhile, in the transition to the fifth stage, which is 12-18 years old, an essential place in the new features of the psyche of adolescents is their interest in the thoughts of others. Adolescents may create the mental ideal of family, religion, and society (Maree, 2021). Therefore, it was at this stage that the 47-year-old woman became closer to her mother than to her father. Therefore, her upbringing was more influenced by the feminine, accordingly, the woman adopted the basic concepts of her mother.
This also affected the 47-year-old woman’s worldview and her choice of profession, which is in line with the fundamental ideals of a woman, which is to care and help. Moreover, Erikson argues that if adolescents have already developed trust, autonomy, entrepreneurship, and skill because of their parents, their chances of identification are significantly increased (Maree, 2021). It is essential to mention that the female parents were also of the Caucasian race, who emigrated to the United States and worked hard and honestly to gain a decent life. They constantly tried to support people of their ethnicity and race and encouraged the child. Accordingly, from her teenage years, the woman realized that it was in helping the weaker that her meaning of life lay. Moreover, the female made the product of her profession at the age of 15, demonstrating her parents’ influence and their way of life on it.
Jung’s Analytic Psychology
It is significant to remark that Jung introduced the concept of two types of personality orientations or attitudes in life: extraversion and introversion. Extroverts are usually agile, quickly forming bonds and attachments (Fordham, 2018). Introverts tend to be contemplative, solitary, and self-centered. Thus, extroverts are sociable, proactive, flexible in their behavior, and able to find their place in society and adapt to its demands. This description concerns a 47-year-old female who could establish communication with her peers without regard to different racial backgrounds. Moreover, she was able to adapt to the demands of society and create a successful healthcare system.
Vygotsky’s Theory of Development
The first individual to assert the significance of the environment for expansion was Vygotsky, who recognized the distinctive means of this power of the environment, which actually modifies the child’s mentality. Vygotsky believed such a mechanism to be internalization, firstly, internalization of characters artificially constructed by humanity stimuli-means intended for managing one’s and other individuals’ conduct. Accordingly, children and adolescents are influenced at all stages of development (Newman & Latifi, 2021). Thus, the influence of the environment and parents, friends, teachers, and society affects females. Due to the fact that her parents were proud of their race and explained the cultural moments to her at an early age, the woman had healthy self-esteem. Therefore, now she identifies herself as a Caucasian woman and is not ashamed of it. This also affected the fact that at school, the woman successfully passed socialization and, due to logical and abstract thinking development, had friendly relations with children of different races. The same occurred in adult life; the woman continued to study and went through the stage of reflection. This finally contributed to determining her future profession and perception of herself.
Conclusion
Therefore, a 47-year-old woman working as a nurse represents the Caucasian race and has successfully passed the development of personality. This was affected by external factors such as respect for her own nationality in the family, constant socialization, and the formation of trust in the environment. The understanding of her own race and active participation in society enabled the woman to determine her career and actively work to support other people.
References
Fordham, M. (2018). Jungian psychotherapy: A study in analytical psychology. Routledge.
Maree, J. G. (2021). The psychosocial development theory of Erik Erikson: Critical overview. Early Child Development and Care, 191(7-8), 1107-1121. Web.
Newman, S., & Latifi, A. (2021). Vygotsky, education, and teacher education. Journal of Education for Teaching, 47(1), 4-17. Web.