Erikson's Concept of Industry Versus Inferiority From Social Constructionism: Case Studies Using Positioning Theory

• In Event: 33.080 - Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: 33.080-7 - Innovative Counseling Approaches and Techniques

Abstract

When counselors and therapists help school-age children, it is useful to consider the concept of industry vs. inferiority proposed by E. H. Erikson. However it is difficult to understand how to help them, because Erikson does not explain how to resolve the conflict in detail. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine how industry and inferiority occur and change in therapy, using case studies based on positioning theory. The data are the documents of non-directive play therapy and the clients are two school-aged children who had school-related problems. The findings suggest that inferiority restricts children to dominant discourses and prevents children from positioning into alternative discourses, and it is important to construct new contexts with the client.

Author

• Hatsuho Ayashiro, The University of Tokyo