What does Erikson's epigenetic principle describe?

What does Erikson's epigenetic principle describe?

• A. The orderly appearance and combining of fetal organs to form a child
• B. The management of defense mechanisms
• C. The stages of moral development
• D. The development of self-concept through parenting

Answer: (A)

Erikson’s epigenetic principle describes development as unfolding in a fixed sequence of psychosocial stages, with each stage presenting a specific task or crisis that must be resolved for healthy personality growth. Progression through these stages builds on earlier ones, and experiences shape how later challenges are met. The option about the orderly appearance and joining of fetal organs belongs to embryology, not psychosocial development, so it doesn’t reflect Erikson’s idea. The other choices point to Freudian defense mechanisms, Kohlberg’s moral development, or general influence of parenting on self-concept, which are not Erikson’s psychosocial stage theory.

Erikson’s epigenetic principle describes development as unfolding in a fixed sequence of psychosocial stages, with each stage presenting a specific task or crisis that must be resolved for healthy personality growth. Progression through these stages builds on earlier ones, and experiences shape how later challenges are met. The option about the orderly appearance and joining of fetal organs belongs to embryology, not psychosocial development, so it doesn’t reflect Erikson’s idea. The other choices point to Freudian defense mechanisms, Kohlberg’s moral development, or general influence of parenting on self-concept, which are not Erikson’s psychosocial stage theory.