Erik Erikson Biography (1902-1994)

Erik Erikson Biography (1902-1994)

A Brief Biography of His Remarkable Life 

By Kendra Cherry

Psychology Expert

"Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired."--Erik Erikson
Best Known For:

• 
  Stages of Psychosocial Development
  
• 
  Identity Crisis
  

Erik Erikson's stage theory of psychosocial development helped create interest and research on human development through the lifespan. An ego psychologist who studied with Anna Freud, Erikson expanded psychoanalytic theory by exploring development throughout the life, including events of childhood, adulthood, and old age.

Birth and Death:

• 
  Erik Erikson was born June 15, 1902.
  
• 
  He died May 12, 1994.
  

Biography:

Erikson is best-known for his famous theory of psychosocial development and the concept of the identity crisis. His theories marked an important shift in thinking on personality; instead of focusing simply on early childhood event, his psychosocial theory looked at how social influences contribute to personality throughout the entire lifespan.

Erikson was born in Germany. He states that he had issues with his own identity growing up. Possibly because he never got to know his birth dad but also because he was Jewish and had trouble fitting into a crowd because of his very unique Nordic features (tall, blue eyed, fair skinned).

He befriended Sigmund Freud`s daughter, Anna Freud, and began teaching Psychoanalysis at her school. He also received teaching and counselling from her as well. Erikson moved to the United States in 1933 and began teaching at Harvard University where he became famous for his studies on development.

He published a number of books on his theories and research, including Childhood and Society and The Life Cycle Completed. His book Gandhi's Truth was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and a national Book Award.
Erikson's Eight Psychosocial Stages
Erikson was a neo-Freudian psychologist who accepted many of the central tenants of Freudian theory, but added his own ideas and beliefs. His theory of psychosocial development is centered on what is known as the epigenetic principle, which proposes that all people go through a series of eight stages. At each stage, people face a crisis that needs to be successfully resolved in order to develop the psychological quality central to each stage.

The eight stage of Erikson's psychosocial theory are something that every psychology student learns about as they explore the history of personality psychology. Much like psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed that personality develops in a series of stages. Erikson’s theory marked a shift from Freud's psychosexual theory in that it describes the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan instead of simply focusing on childhood events.

While Freud's theory of psychosexual development essentially ends at early adulthood, Erikson's theory described development through the entire lifespan from birth until death.

Erik Erikson and Identity Crisis

Have you ever felt confused about your place in life or not quite sure if you really know the 'real you?' If so, you may be experiencing an identity crisis. Erikson coined the term “identity crisis” and believed that it was one of the most important conflicts people face  during the developmental process. According to Erikson, an identity crisis is a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself.

Contributions to Psychology

While Freud’s theory had focused on the psychosexual aspects of development, Erikson’s addition of other influences helped to broaden and expand psychoanalytic theory. He also contributed to our understanding of personality as it is developed and shaped over the course of the lifespan.

His observations of children also helped set the stage for further research. "You see a child play," he was quoted in his New York Times obituary, "and it is so close to seeing an artist paint, for in play a child says things without uttering a word. You can see how he solves his problems. You can also see what's wrong. Young children, especially, have enormous creativity, and whatever's in them rises to the surface in free play."

Psychosocial Stages Summary Chart

Reflection:

1. 
   Who was Erik Erikson? What is he famous for?
   
2. 
   What do you think about his stages and theories? Critique his work? Explain what you like and do not like?
   
3. 
   Summarize his main theories.
   
4. 
   Name and explain three practical uses for this theory. Describe how each could be used.