Final answer:
The most accurate statement regarding the views of Freud and Erikson on play is that both believed play reflects unconscious desires, with Freud focusing on psychosexual conflicts and Erikson also considering the role of play in social development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The views of Freud and Erikson regarding play differ significantly. Freud's theories, including his psychosexual stages of development, suggest that play is an avenue for children to express unconscious desires and work through psychosexual conflicts. On the other hand, Erikson, influenced by Freud but with distinctive perspectives, places a greater emphasis on the social and psychological challenges at each stage of development. While Freud focused on the role of play in resolving unconscious conflicts, Erikson acknowledged that play also has a role in social development and helps individuals navigate through various psychosocial crises that define his eight stages of development.
Referring to the options provided, Option 2 is the most accurate representation as it states, "Both Freud and Erikson believed that play serves as a reflection of unconscious desires." This statement aligns with Freud's psychoanalytic perspective and incorporates Erikson's belief in the unconscious motivations behind play, though Erikson's emphasis on social development is not exclusively captured in this option.