Theorist: Adler and Erik Erikson
Focus:These theories focus on development. Adley believed there is an exact moment that motivates a person to strive to reach their potential. His golden term is striving for superiority. Adler discussed how birth order and parenting styles, of either support or neglect, play a role in a person's personality development.
Erikson believed that people develop over time. There are eight stages in Erikson's theory (see image below taken from 115erik-erikson-stages-of-development.png)
At each stage of developmet there is a crisis that we experience and how we resolve that crisis plays a role in our development.
Strengths of theory: Strengths of this theory is that takes into account some of both nature and nurture which I find to be an interersting debate.
Weakness of theory: A weakness of this theory is that it states all people go through stages (whatever stages they may be) in the same order and within the same time period. Although Freud had a similar outline, with personality development these stages may not all be reached by one person. Does that become a personality, development, or nature issue?
Personal example: A personal example of this theory in my life is with my wife. She is the youngest child but her cousin was raised with her and so she also in some ways is a middle child. It is interesting to see different "birth order" traits in her as she plays two roles. I am the oldest of my siblings although biologically I am an only child. I think I have some birth order trait conflicts that occured from experiencing both "orders."
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