Erik Erikson By Dermot McElhennon

Introduction  Biographical Information – – Early Childhood Transition to Psychology  Major Works by Erikson – – Works on Identity Psychosocial Stages

Early Childhood  Born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1902   Danish Parents Result of an “extramarital union”   Guarded from Erickson Never met his biological father or mother's first husband

Early Childhood Continued  Erickson's Mother Remarried   Dr. Theodor Homberger Erickson was told this was his father  Revelation of the Truth   Sparked confusion in young Erickson's life Contributed to his later works

Early Schooling for Erickson  Early Schooling was at the Temple  Strict, Jewish family and schooling   Teased by the other children for his appearance  Nordic (tall, blonde, blue eyes) Experience at Grammar School   Teased for his Jewish upbringing Rejected by his schoolmates

Erickson's College Years  Wasn't a Firm Believer in the Education System   Travelled around Europe for one year Maintained a diary  Returned to Germany to Enroll in an Art Program  New found passion  Acquired a Position Teaching Art in Vienna   Children's parents were under Freudian Training Key time in Erickson's life

Early Years of Career  Began to Establish his Identity  Changed name from Homberger to Erickson  Admitted into Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute   Worked closely with Anna Freud Introduced to Sigmund Freud

Immigration to the United States  Immigrated to Boston in 1933   First Child Psychoanalyst Acquired Position at Harvard  Numerous Institutions in the United States  Yale, UC Berkeley, Menninger Institute  Wide Focus on his Works   Changes in the United States Children of Native American Tribes

Major Psychological Works  Slowly Introduced to Psychology  Star Wars  Expert on the Human Personality   Erickson's Psychosocial Stages Considered by many to be his most influential

Erickson's Stages of Development  Eight Stages of Development   Infancy to Eventual Death Stages of Life  Influenced by Freud  Psychosexual Development Stages

Stage 1: Infancy  Occurs During Infancy  Birth to 18 months  Trust vs. Mistrust  Who can I trust?

 Important Event During This Period  Feeding

Stage 2: Early Childhood  Two to Three Years Old  Autonomy vs. Fear and Doubt   Sense of Personal Control Independence  Important Event During This Time  Infamous “Potty Training”

Stage 3: Preschool Years  Three to Five Years Old  Initiative vs. Guilt   Assertion of control over their environment Sense of Purpose  Important Event During This Time  Exploration

Stage 4: School Age  6-11 Years Old  Industry vs. Inferiority   Coping of new social and academic demands Feeling of belonging vs. inferiority  Important Events During This Time  School

Stage 5: Adolescence  12 to 18 Years Old  Identity vs. Role Confusion   Development of personal identity “Staying true to one's self”  Important Events During This Time  Development of stronger social relationships

Stage 6: Young Adulthood  19 Until 40 Years Old  Intimacy vs. Isolation   Intimate, Deeper Relationships Spouses  Important Events During This Time  Development of stronger personal relationships

Stage 7: Middle Adulthood  40 Until 65 Years Old  Generativity vs. Stagnation   Development of things that will outlast them   Raising Children Developing a legacy Benefits of others  Important Events During This Time  Work and Parenthood

Stage 8: Maturity  65 Until Death of the Individual  Ego Integrity vs. Despair   Recap of an individual's life Sense of fulfillment or despair  Important Events During This Time  Reflection on Life

Closing Thoughts  Erickson's Major Works   Benefitted from personal experiences Identity Confusion  Life-long Goal of Erickson  Establish Stages of Identity  Field Any Questions?