Appendix 2R; Grow in Maturity​ - Walk in Love

 

Erik Erickson was a German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on the 

psychological development of human beings. His work made the term “identity crisis” popular. (The depth of his studies brought him to realize that a person's psychological needs don't stand alone. In Erickson’s theory of step development, he sites eight key virtues (goodness, as opposed to a vice) that are necessary for healthy, balanced, psychosocial maturity in life. See picture below and/or revisit Appendix 1C for details on Erickson’s theory, centered on the epigenetic principle. In his theory as summarized by McLeod, S. A. (2018, May 03), Erickson theorized that if any unhealthy event (labeled as a "crisis") halts the development of one of these basic virtues, the person will not incorporate the true expression of that virtue into their behavior, resulting in their own stagnation and frustration due to the inability to develop healthy relationships in a social world.    

 

In stage six, he points to love being a virtue. A healthy definition of love comes from the foundational virtue of trust (step #1). This is where you see Erickson transitioning into social needs that will need to develop to balance out your personality (the next three virtues in this step process to maturity). Notice that learning to trust is the foundational virtue that you need to incorporate in your life so the rest of the traits can develop unscathed. The

teaching of "trust" has its root formed in you at a very early age by a mother/father figure that meets your need for security (physically and emotionally). Be it good/right or bad/wrong, that example will lay the groundwork for your mental picture of trust and whether you will consider it as a good trait to practice or not. You create a belief about the virtue of trust and this belief affects all areas of your life. 

• Appendix 1D for more on truth.

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Love is a fundamental virtue that motivates behavior, a topic in which Bible and academic scholars agree. 

Learning to love yourself happens in the first five steps of this theory but then the steps shift focus on to loving others, wisely, so you will apply love rightly (discernment) and do it habitually so you grow into a functional, altruistic, personality (1 Corinthians 14:20, 1 Peter 2:2). The ability to see past yourself forms as you grow in confidence and can leave behind a me first attitude because you are secure in yourself. A healthy but accurate love and acceptance of yourself (because of a new identity in Christ) gives you the foundational security to love God while authentically loving your neighbor as yourself (James 2:8, Ephesians 3:17-19, 1 John 3:18). It is this security from a trustworthy relationship with the Triune God that boosts your confidence and reduces the anxiety associated with the vulnerability needed to express authentic actions of love. ​​

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​​By taking a closer look at the "crisis" associated with each step, you'll see a connection between the virtues, the quality of life you experience, and your view of reality (perception):