Understand the role of identity and free will in the development of self,…

The idea

Erikson (1959) proposed that identity develops through eight psychosocial stages across the lifespan, each presenting a crisis to resolve. For example, adolescents face 'identity versus role confusion', where success leads to a strong sense of self. A strength is its lifespan approach; a weakness is its lack of empirical evidence. Baumeister (2008) explored the consequences of believing in free will, suggesting it promotes prosocial behaviour and personal accountability. When people believe they control their actions, they are more likely to help others and less likely to cheat. A strength is its application to improving societal behaviour, but a weakness is the difficulty in objectively measuring free will.

What earns the marks

• Identify Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development and the concept of a psychosocial crisis.
• Explain how resolving crises at different stages contributes to identity formation.
• Describe Baumeister's (2008) findings on how belief in free will affects prosocial and antisocial behaviours.
• Evaluate Erikson's theory by discussing its strengths (e.g., lifespan perspective) and weaknesses (e.g., cultural bias).
• Evaluate Baumeister's theory by discussing its strengths (e.g., practical applications) and weaknesses (e.g., reliance on self-report).

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confusing Erikson's psychosocial stages with Freud's psychosexual stages.

  Put it right: Focus on social and identity crises (e.g., trust versus mistrust) rather than erogenous zones.

• Assuming Baumeister proved free will exists.

  Put it right: Baumeister studied the consequences of believing in free will, not whether free will itself is a scientific reality.

• Failing to evaluate both theories.

  Put it right: Ensure you can provide at least one strength and one weakness for both Erikson's and Baumeister's theories.

Exam tips

• Use specific examples of Erikson's stages, such as 'identity versus role confusion' in adolescence, to illustrate identity development.
• When evaluating Baumeister, mention how belief in free will can be manipulated in experiments to observe changes in cheating or helping behaviour.
• Clearly distinguish between the concepts of identity development (Erikson) and the behavioural consequences of free will beliefs (Baumeister).