Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson (15 June, 1902- 12 May, 1994) was born in Frankfurt, Germany. After completing highschool, he came to the United States and was the first Psychoanalyst in Boston (Where he moved to).

Backround
When he moved to Massachusettes he worked at the Massachusettes General Hospital and also attended Harvard Medical School, because he wanted to be a doctor. He then observed children for several years, and later moved to California. He attended the California University at Berkley and soon opened up his own private practice.

Theory
Psychosocial development of humans. Which is also known as an egopsychologist. This emphasized the culture, society, and conflicts that take place within the ego itself. His theory has many stages of people:

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust, Virtue: Hope, Age: Infancy (0-1 1/2)

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame, Virtue: Will, Age: Early Childhood (1 1/2 - 3)

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt, Virtue: Purpose, Age: Play (3-5)

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority, Virtue: Competency, Age: School (5-12)

Stage 5: Ego Indentity vs. Role Confusion, Virtue: Fidelity, Age: Adolescence (12-18)

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation, Virtue: Love, Age: Young Adult (18-40)

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation, Virtue: Care, Age: Adulthood (40-65)

Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair, Virtue: Wisdom, Age: Maturity (65+)

The environment in which a child lived was crucial to provide growth, adjustment, a source of self- awareness and identity. We still use these theories, because we all go through these stages in life. We just don't look into it and maybe even know what stage were going through in our lives.

Interesting Facts

 * He was credited with being one of the originators of Ego Psychology
 * His middle name is Homburger
 * He wrote a book called "Childhood and Society" which one a Pulitzer Prize and a United States National Book Award

Resources
McLeod, S. A. (2008). Erik Erikson | Psychosocial Stages - Simply Psychology.Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html

Wikipedia. (2013, October 16). Erik erikson. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Erikson

kollasch, C. (Designer) (2012, March 20). Erikson's stages of development. [Video podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s2dYVhtFnE