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Essay: How would developmental, personality and abnormal psychology explain Geraldine’s behaviour whilst also considering the role of the South African context? $5.83
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Essay: How would developmental, personality and abnormal psychology explain Geraldine’s behaviour whilst also considering the role of the South African context?
Psychology 144 essay answering the following question: How would developmental, personality, and abnormal psychology explain Geraldine’s behaviour whilst also considering the role of the South African context?
, Geraldine has been brought up solely by her mother, in a community outside of Stellenbosch
that is made up of multiple social problems that affect the individuals within the community.
Each one of the following aspects identifies and explains Geraldine’s current behaviour.
According to Erik Erikson, Geraldine is in the stage of identity versus confusion in which she
is trying to develop a sense of self and her own individuality. Furthermore, using Sigmund
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, it can be noted that Geraldine is in a state of conflict in which
a part of her is trying to mediate between the needs of her primitive brain and her morality.
Additionally, Geraldine’s abnormal psychology implies a possible diagnosis of major
depressive disorder due to her dysfunctional behaviour and deviation from her norm. Lastly,
South Africa’s political, economic, and social context also impacts her behaviour and
reinforces her developmental, personality and abnormal psychology.
Geraldine is currently eighteen years of age and is struggling with issues of self which
classifies her, according to Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, in stage five,
which indicates that she is going through a psychological crisis of identity versus confusion
(Weiten, 2018). Her personality is determined by the way she manages the crisis she is dealt
with and the resolution between the two opposing tendencies of identity and confusion.
Geraldine’s challenge is to develop an integrated, lasting sense of self and find a balance
between parental expectations and independence (Weiten, 2018). It is clear that she is in the
midst of this challenge as she feels torn between her mother’s rules and expectations versus
her need to be independent and to spend time with her friends (Harrison, Loxton &
Somhlaba, (2021). This stage of psychosocial development results in Geraldine’s change and
switch between her moods and behaviour as a result of her ego (Weiten, 2018).
By looking at Freud’s concepts of personality we can identify the relationship
between Geraldine’s id, ego and superego and how these three structures affect her. Looking
at the id, the way in which Geraldine uses substances and constantly smells of alcohol
indicates her need for instant pleasure (Weiten, 2018), as well as the fact that she hangs out
with the wrong crowd of friends according to her mom, that abuse substances, specifically
alcohol (Morojele & Ramsoomar, 2016). This shows that she is in constant conflict with her
mom and further indicates the primitive side of her brain is taking control and acting out of
an instinctual need for instant gratification (Weiten, 2018). The effects of the superego can be
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