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"A Comparison of Piaget, Freud, and Erikson" by Randy Hartenstine Psychology 1513-51 Extra Credit Paper April 8,

1999 Hartenstine 1 The field of psychology has grown to be respected as a science. Objectivity and the scientific

method are both part of the psychologist's mode of operation. However, even the greatest of psychologists can only

theorize about what makes human beings act the way they do. Absolutes are not part of psychology. Everything is

relative and open to speculation. Theorists give us their views or ideas about life. In the field of psychology, there have

been many different areas of interest. Human development is one of the most popular areas of interest for those who

study psychology. Freud, Erikson, and Piaget are all great theorists with different ideas concerning human development.

Each theorist developed ideas and stages for human development. Their theories on human development had human

beings passing through different stages. Each theory differed on what these stages were. These theories also differed

with their respect towards paradigmatic assumptions, learning and development, and relationship towards educational

practice. Freud is known as the father of psychology. Although some of his work has been dismissed, most of it still

holds weight in the world of psychology today. Freud believed that inner forces fueled human development. He believed

the most powerful of all inner forces was our sexual being. Freud linked everything with sex. This includes any bodily

pleasure whatsoever. Thus, when Freud discusses the sexual needs of children, they are not the Hartenstine 2 same

kind of sexual needs that an adult would experience. Children experienced sexual...