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While the distinctions between Piaget and Erikson’s theories may appear more pronounced due to their differing domains—cognitive for Piaget and social-emotional for Erikson—their frameworks also share underlying similarities that are essential for understanding human development. For example, both theories are stage-based and highlight the importance of sequential progression in development, emphasizing that individuals must master challenges at each stage to continue growin

Jean Piaget’s psychoanalytical theory is based on a child’s cognitive development. He created a “dynamic theory of learning”, focusing on scientifically proving the actual “structure and development of knowledge” (Tourmen, 2016, p. 10). He teaches that learning is based on experience and that humans build this knowledge through direct connections between contemplation and achievement. To actually learn something, a person must actively take a piece of knowledge and transfo

Erik Erikson’s psychodynamic theory encompasses the entire human lifespan, from infancy to old age. Each stage lists a positive identity trait that builds with healthy social and caregiver interactions, along with a possible negative identity trait if trauma or poor social or caregiver relationships are modeled during the given years of that person’s life. His theory “stresses the importance of eight stages in human development that all people have to work through (navigate

My husband and I were housesitting for my estranged parents and I decided to redecorate. My mother has chosen a palette of black on black for decades now, signifying an aesthetic of darkness--mirroring a kind of emotional heaviness or deadness. Perhaps pessimism, control, depression, and a life-denying energy. In my dream, I changed everything. The brightest colors, the whitest whites, the beauty of the natural world. I spent days inside my dream arguing with myself over

Catholic Boarding school five hours away from home, wearing dark blue skirts and dark blue ties, we giggled when I looked at everyone across the round dinner table in the dining hall. “There will be boys!” The 5 of us last saw one of the masculine persuasion when Señora Lopez brought her 8 year-old son to her classroom—while leaving her baby in her car seat in the dark red SUV. Per usual. Anna, my best friend at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, helped me pick out angsty teen

She was sitting on our course linen white couch with the tiny pastel paint strokes that matched the wallpaper in our trailer’s living room, the man started to spank me and then that is it. There are no more memories until some time later, after we moved to California, I’m on the monkey bars at the playground next-door to our brand new beautiful stucco home, hurting my hands and building calluses I could later have fun picking at with my fingernails and peeling off. The meta

Gaslighting is how abusers change your sense of reality to keep control of you and your actions. When you tell them something happened, they use several tactics to try to force you to believe reality is different. Enough times, and this causes mental health issues due to you not trusting yourself. The last time I suffered from gaslighting was so awful. The pain of it stretched years and I’ve never told the complete tale. Everyone was reported to the correct authorities, thoug

There is no memory of him, his face, or our interactions before the abuse. I only remember the places, objects, and my own actions. The trauma erased his face from surely happy memories, but not the other details. I separated the abuse from the surroundings in my mind from the very beginning—a remarkable coping mechanism. The dissociation started from the first incident. I remember the details up until the occurrence--and that is when my mind began to hide the trauma from my

Taken away from home right before I turned 13 was shocking—but more of the same. I had moved 7 times by then, but never just for school,...

In today's digital age, storytelling has become a powerful vehicle for reaching out and connecting with others. "Empowering Young Adults: Unsilenced Memoir Preview" sets out to do just that by delving into the poignant journey of healing from childhood trauma. This upcoming memoir, soon to be released on betterstrecker.com, offers a unique perspective that resonates with young adults aged 15-19. Through a blend of poignant excerpts, thought-provoking quotes, and insightful au

Are you ready to embark on a journey through the complexities of healing from childhood trauma? A powerful memoir is soon to be released, offering a unique perspective on the impact of past experiences on our present lives. The website launch of this upcoming memoir, hosted on betterstrecker.com, is designed to provide a sneak peek into the content of the book and engage readers in a meaningful way. The memoir sets out to unravel the effects of childhood trauma on individuals

Childhood trauma can have a lasting impact on an individual's life, shaping their beliefs, behaviors, and relationships well into adulthood. "Unsilenced" is a forthcoming memoir that delves into the author's personal journey of healing from the scars of their past, offering a raw and authentic account of the struggles and triumphs along the way. This insightful memoir not only narrates the author's experiences but also serves as a guiding light for readers who may be grapplin