PSY 3590: Personality

According to Freud’s theory of personality development, the “core” of who we are is set by the time we are 5 or 6 years of age. Erikson’s theory of development proposes that personality continues to develop throughout our lives. These theories are not necessarily in opposition. It could be that certain “core” aspects of personality are indeed formed early in life whereas other aspects of our personality change in later life. Based on your own experiences and observations, as well as the theory and research discussed in Chapters 10 & 11, do you think the “core” of personality is or is not formed in our very early years (by the age of 5-6)? Why/why not?