Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson (born Erik Salomonsen; 15 June 1902) was a German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on the psychological development of human beings. He coined the phrase identity crisis. Erikson introduced and characterized the features of teenage identity crisis and adult midlife crisis in his theory called Psychosocial Development. To propose a new “way of looking at things”, Erikson, unlike prior psychodynamic theorists, extended rather than rejected Freud's beliefs. Adolescence, adulthood, and old age were all included in his post-Freudian theory. Erikson proposed that various psychosocial conflicts shape personality at each level. Adolescence is a time of identity crisis, a life turning point that can either strengthen or damage personality.

Erikson maintained that personality develops in a predetermined order through eight stages of psychosocial development, from infancy to adulthood. During each stage, the person experiences a psychosocial crisis which could have a positive or negative outcome for personality development. For Erikson (1958, 1963), these crises are psychosocial because they involve the psychological needs of the individual conflicting with the needs of society. After all, Erikson saw his post-Freudian theory as a continuation of psychoanalysis. Erikson's life-cycle approach to personality diverged from Freud in key ways. Erikson emphasized social and historical effects and created the famous psychosocial stages of development.

Vocabulary Terms:
1. Identity Crisis – a period of doubt and confusion during which a person's sense of identity becomes unstable, usually as a result of an alteration in their projected goals or role in society.
2. Psychosocial Development – the development of the personality, including the acquisition of social attitudes and skills, from infancy through maturity.
3. Psychosocial Crisis – turning points in a person's relationships and feelings about themselves.
4. Psychological Needs – a psychological condition in which something is required or wanted.
5. Psychoanalysis – a set of psychological theories and therapeutic methods which have their origin in the work and theories of Sigmund Freud.

GET TO KNOW ME!

(A) Name : When he was born his name was Erik Salomonsen. After his mother married Theodor Homberger, he eventually took his stepfather's name, and became Erik Homberger. In mid-life, he moved to the United States, and changed his name to Erikson.

(B) Date of Birth: June 15, 1902 in in Frankfurt, Germany

(C) Date of Death: May 12, 1994, at the age of 91 at Rosewood Manor Nursing Home in Harwich, Massachusetts

Hi! I recommend these groups to anyone seeking to learn more about psychologists who enjoy reading and writing books. You may gain knowledge, learn something new, and have fun in these groups. The following groups are designed to assist you in developing your identity and personality.

Join our group to create a unique and interesting identification card that will help you learn more about yourself and assist you in resolving your identity crisis.

Click each photo below for more information.

Since the foundation of the Erikson Institute, they have been dedicated in creating a new generation of early childhood practitioners, one with a comprehensive knowledge of child development.

In 1969, the school was renamed after famous psychotherapist Erik H. Erikson, a former colleague of Erikson Institute co-founder Maria Piers. He was the first to argue that children are more than just biological entities, but also products of societal expectations, biases, and restrictions.

Norman Rockwell and Mollie Rockwell with Erik and Joan Erikson in his Stockbridge Studio, 1962. The exhibition will explore the relationship of the artist and the psychoanalyst, who fueled each other’s creativity in unique and important ways.

Reference: https://www.nrm.org/2019/04/norman-rockwell-erik-erikson/

Historical Friend No. 6:
PETER BLOS

When Erikson was twenty-five, his friend Peter Blos invited him to Vienna to tutor art at the small Burlingham-Rosenfeld School for children whose affluent parents were undergoing psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud's daughter, Anna Freud.

Historical Friend No. 3, 4 & 5:

The Erikson’s first settled in Boston, where he became the first male to practice child psychoanalysis in the Boston area and also served at the Harvard Medical School, Judge Baker Guidance Center, and Harvard’s Psychological Clinic, where he came into contact with Kurt Lewin, Margaret Mead, and Gregory Bateson.

Historical Friend No. 2:
NORMAN ROCKWELL

The two men, both giants in their fields, became both confidants and friends, and as revealed in this exhibition, their far-reaching discussions fueled and influenced aspects of their work.

Historical Friend No. 1:
ANNA FREUD

An ego psychologist who studied with Anna Freud, Erikson expanded psychoanalytic theory by exploring development throughout life, including events of childhood, adulthood, and old age. After meeting Anna Freud while working in Vienna, Erikson decided to pursue the field of psychoanalysis.

Making everyone understand what I am pointing out about the 8 stages of development.

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