IndexOperant Conditioning TheoryContinuity and DiscontinuityThe Still Face ExperimentSecure attachments versus insecure attachmentBoth Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson believed that personality develops in certain fixed stages. However, Erikson disagreed with some parts of Freud's theory of psychosexual development, so he modified this theory by creating his own theory of psychosocial development. Both of these theories focus on a person's early development and experiences, but they call and view the stages differently. The first stage, which is 1-2-3 years old, was called by Freud as the anal stage of development while Erikson called it the stage of autonomy against shame and doubt. While Freud focused on sexual stimulation, Erikson emphasized insecurity and independence whether one succeeds or fails at this stage. Freud spoke mainly about libido; physical development and psychosexual relationship in the other phases while Erikson highlighted the interpersonal relationship and personal identity. Erikson also added three more stages in the adulthood period. Intimacy versus isolation is the stage where a person seeks love and romantic relationship. Generativity versus stagnation occurs when adults support others and make social contributions. The last stage is integrity versus despair where adults feel bitter or satisfied when they look back on their past life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Operant Conditioning Theory Skinner's operant conditioning theory suggests that behavior can be modified using positive and negative reinforcement. Various parts of a person's environment such as parents, friends and teachers react positively or negatively. When the behavior is positive, a person is likely to repeat this behavior but if it is negative, he or she will eliminate it. Skinner believed that the cause of a person's action and its consequences are the most ideal way to understand behavior. Continuity and discontinuity Continuity and discontinuity are two different theories that aim to explain various changes in people's lives. Continuity theory states that change is a continuous process. This means that people change in all periods of their lives. Discontinuity theory opposes this idea because it proposes that changes in people's lives are abrupt or unexpected. The Still Face Experiment The Still Face Experiment was conducted by Edward Tronick and other researchers in 1975 where they performed an experiment on a newborn baby. One of the results of the experiment was that babies react based on their mother's facial expression. When the mother is expressionless, the baby cries because he wants the mother's attention. This experiment led to another discovery that children have basic social cognition and are able to relate facial expression to emotions (Rathus 125). Secure attachments versus insecure attachment Children develop secure attachment or insecure attachment depending on how they are cared for. When a child's caregiver treats him negatively, he is likely to develop an insecure attachment, but when a child is treated positively, the child will develop a secure attachment. Children who are securely attached to their caregivers likely experience less stress, have better problem-solving skills, and tend to build better relationships with other people. On the other hand, insecurely attached children are likely to avoid other people, show fear, anxiety, anger and.