Erik Erikson is one of the most prominent psychologists of the 20th century. He achieved unprecedented fame and popularity due to his views on human development. Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany to Karla Abrahamsen on June 15, 1902 (The New York Times). Erikson never knew his biological father since he was conceived from an extramarital affair. He was officially recognized as Erik Homburger after his mother married Dr. Theodore Homburger, a pediatrician (The New York Times). Erikson learned about his heritage during his teenage years. His parents raised him as a Jew although Erikson’s mother was Lutheran. Erikson considered himself as a natural-born German while his father portrayed him as a Jew. Schoolmates at the grammar institution ridiculed Erikson for his Semitic features while Jewish children at the local synagogue alienated him due to his pronounced Nordic features (The New York Times). Hence, he was often confused regarding his connection to the community and other features of his personality. Erikson’s childhood experiences while in school not only heightened his involvement in identity formation but also influenced his work for the remainder of his life.
Erikson attended high school education in Karlsruhe and developed interest in bohemian after his graduation. During this period, he earned a decent living as a sketch artist focusing on young children (The New York Times). Erikson gained plenty of knowledge in history and art while working as a fulltime bohemian. Erikson was enrolled at the Das Humanistische Gymnasium and cultivated interest in art, Latin, and history (Cherry, 2018). He ignored his father’s desire for him to attend medical school and instead settled for art school.
In 1927, he learned of an opportunity to travel to Vienna and work as a companion-tutor (The New York Times). Erikson accepted the suggestion from one of his oldest friends and agreed to assist Dorothy Burlingham’s children. Subsequently, Erikson remained in Vienna and co-founded a progressive learning institution where students were treated as separate individuals (The New York Times). The school was established with the help of Anna Freud and Peter Blos. Erikson excelled as a teacher and demonstrated incredible empathy while interacting with children. Freud was impressed by Erikson’s interactions with children and identified him as a future child analyst (The New York Times). Erikson studied psychoanalysis and earned accreditation from two institutions, namely, the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute and the Montessori Teachers Association (Cherry, 2018). Subsequently, Erikson agreed to be Freud’s patient while she pursued her father’s theories. Although Erikson struggled while Freud analyzed him, the process helped him to gain courage and self-awareness. According to Cherry (2018), Erikson married Joan Serson in 1930 and raised three children.
Theories
Erikson developed the revolutionary stage theory of psychosocial development. The latter theory was based on Erikson’s epigenetic principle (McAdams " Zapata-Gietl, 2015). He proposed that all people underwent eight stages through which they learned to overcome challenges. The psychological quality at each stage could only be mastered after subsequent crises were resolved (Cherry, 2018). Erikson’s theory was quite similar to Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual theory since he proposed that personality could be classified into several stages. The eight stages developed from Erikson’s theory include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and integrity vs. despair (Cherry, 2017).
Infancy was recognized as the first stage since it created emotional conflict between mistrust and trust. Subsequent stages were identified as locomotor-genital, latency, adolescences, young adulthood, adulthood, and maturity (Cherry, 2017). Erikson proposed negative and positive solutions that could help resolve crises at all stages of life. Societal and cultural factors could help individuals overcome the neurosis or dread due to failure to resolve past challenges. (Cherry, 2017) Erikson’s theory was fundamental since it highlighted the vital role played by the society in a person’s wellbeing and prosperity.
Major Experiments
Erikson conducted his earliest experiments on childhood development whole working at the progressive school. In this regard, he learned several concepts regarding the interactions between children and adults (Erikson, 2014). In 1928, Erikson left Yale and conducted experiments on Sioux children in South Dakota. Since the children were located on a reservation, Erikson examined how their childhood would be molded and influenced by the society while they matured into adulthood (The New York Times). Furthermore, Erikson conducted experiments on salmon-fishing Native Americans located in the northern part of California. The psychologist discovered major differences between Yurok and Sioux children. Yurok children were raised in restrictive environments that hindered them from experiencing mild pleasures and joys (The New York Times). On the other hand, Sioux children were focused on game hunting as a means of obtaining food. Erikson also performed experiments on children located on the West Coast. The latter study was intended to identify the manner in which psychodynamics were influenced by experimental play (The New York Times). Consequently, Erikson managed to relate emerging social capacities to the Freudian theory of sexuality.
Influence in Psychology
The psychologist is credited with developing modern beliefs and ideas regarding Freudian theory. Erikson popularized the concept of identity crisis whereby people would experience intense self-doubt (Cherry, 2018). Most people experienced identity crisis while in their formative years, especially when they were subjected to cultural and social stereotypes. Erikson proposed the use of intensive exploration and analysis to help people manage their identity crisis (Cherry, 2018). In addition, Erikson’s influence in psychology was amplified through his books, proposals, and white papers. Some of his most notable books include The Life Cycle Completed (1987), Childhood and Society (1950), Young Man Luther: A Study in Psychoanalysis and History (1958), Insight and Responsibility (1966), Identity: Youth and Crisis (1968), Gandhi's Truth: On the Origins of Militant Nonviolence (1969), Life History and the Historical Moment (1975), Adulthood (edited book, 1978), and Vital Involvement in Old Age (1986).
Major Critiques
Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development was criticized since it focused on social experiences throughout a person’s lifespan. Supporters of Freudian theory claimed that sole focus should be placed on events that occurred during childhood (The New York Times). Orthodox Freudians depicted Erikson as a heretic since he seemingly deviated from conventional wisdom proposed by Freud. His relationship with Anna also deteriorated after he proposed new theories. Social scientists and scholars in the academic community criticized Erikson since his diploma was obtained in high school (The New York Times). In this respect, they felt that he lacked the proper qualifications to develop major psychosocial theories. Erikson relied heavily on his life experiences, observation skills, and intuition to develop an analytical perspective on human psychosocial development. Consequently, he became popular as a champion of human development across life stages.
References
Cherry, K. (2018). Erik Erikson Biography (1902-1994). Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-erikson-biography-1902-1994-2795538
Cherry, K. (2017). Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. Psychology. Psychosocial Theories. Päivitetty, 14(2), 1-40.
Erikson, E. H. (2014). Childhood and Society. London, UK: Vintage Digital.
McAdams, D. P., " Zapata-Gietl, C. (2015). Three strands of identity development across the human life course: Reading Erik Erikson in full. The Oxford Handbook of Identity Development, 81-94.
The New York Times. (n.d.). Erik Erikson, 91, Psychoanalyst Who Reshaped Views of Human Growth, Dies. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/13/obituaries/erik-erikson-91-psychoanalyst-who-reshaped-views-of-human-growth-dies.html?pagewanted=all
