View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Erikson, how long does it take for identity to develop?

2. According to the discussion in Chapter 2, the process of the ego helps individuals maintain their personalities and what type of fashion?

3. Since there were few empirical studies, how did Erikson's study individuals?

4. What does it mean when the author states, "to review the concept of identity"?

5. In the beginning of the 20th century, what demonstrated the possibility to destroy human kind?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Erikson, why might it be petty to attempt to define "identity" or "identity crisis"?

2. How does introjection help the ego grow in Erikson's theory of identity development?

3. How does Erikson think acute identity confusion manifests?

4. What does Erikson suggest is immune to the failure of ego synthesis?

5. What are some unique characteristics discussed at the beginning of Chapter 4 concerning George Bernard Shaw?

6. What is Erikson suggest it is a good thing that the term crisis no longer means solely a bad event?

7. According to Erikson, what is our earliest undifferentiated sense of identity?

8. What is Erikson suggest that the development of trust or mistrust in the first age and identity development is the cornerstone of an individual's personality?

9. Considering group identity developing, in light of Erikson's stages of development, how do individuals make group decisions in order to ease the pressures of making difficult decisions?

10. What is Erikson state that he cannot accept Freud's notion that neurotic conflict is not different from normative conflict?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the prologue, Erikson discusses the story about an old man who vomits daily. What is the significance of this story in terms of this man's identity? How can the story be used to further define or explain identity of an individual or culture?

Essay Topic 2

Erikson suggests that wholeness generates basic trust; however, the notion of a totalitarian state suggests indoctrination and control. Discuss how these two concepts wholeness and a totalitarian state coexist as means for the ultimate identity development. Use information from the book to support human characteristics that serve to allow a totalitarian as well as Erickson's notion that the totalitarian state is the state to end all states.

Essay Topic 3

Define the term "sense of basic trust" and discuss what this means to an infant in the beginning stages of identity development. How is stressed formed and what happens if trust is not formed? How are later stages affected by the successful or unsuccessful initiation of positive identity development? Use the book to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 954 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample