Human Behavior > Human Functioning Information > Initiative in Contrast with Guilt (synthesis: Purposefulness)
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Initiative in Contrast with Guilt (synthesis: Purposefulness)Initiative in Contrast with Guilt (synthesis: Purposefulness)
This stage, age five to seven years, is characterized by the task of learning initiative and simultaneously preventing a feeling of guilt. The greater freedom of movement and autonomy enables children to act more independently and conquer the world with more purpose.
They come into contact with a wider circle of people and learn to manipulate all kinds of things. They learn about their sexuality, where identification with the parent of the same gender, plays a major role. For the first time, there is a difference in social behavior between boys and girls. The boy tries to actively become part of the world and the sphere of other people. He concentrates on material issues of the world. He is interested in implements and machinery. The girl’s social relationships, on the other hand, is characterized by charm. She wants to captive people’s attention by being beautiful. Where the boy tries to become part of/almost intrude, the girl tries to develop a charming personality. Children’s entrance into the world often brings them into situations where they go against rules of the society and step over into other people’s territory. This may lead to feelings of guilt that they must handle. Balanced development leads to the synthesis that causes purposefulness. This is characterized by the ability to pursue goals with determination and self-confidence without feeling guilty and without the kind of initiative that can be offensive too others. |