description Erik Erikson Overview
Erik Erikson (1902-1994) was a German-born American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory of psychosocial development. He described eight stages extending from infancy through old age, each organized around a characteristic conflict such as trust versus mistrust or identity versus role confusion. His work made identity formation and development across the entire lifespan central topics in psychology, education, and social thought.
insights Ranking position
Erik Erikson ranks #23 of 228 in the Psychologist ranking, behind Ulric Neisser, ahead of Solomon Asch.
help Erik Erikson FAQ
What are Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development?
The stages run from trust versus mistrust in infancy through integrity versus despair in old age. Between them are conflicts involving autonomy, initiative, industry, identity, intimacy, and generativity.
What did Erikson mean by an identity crisis?
Erikson used the term for a period of questioning and reorganizing one's values, roles, and sense of self. Identity versus role confusion is the central conflict in his adolescent stage, although identity can continue changing in adulthood.
How did Erikson's theory differ from Freud's?
Freud emphasized psychosexual development and concentrated heavily on childhood. Erikson proposed psychosocial conflicts across the entire lifespan, including intimacy in young adulthood and generativity in middle age.
Why is Erikson associated with the phrase "basic trust"?
Basic trust is the positive outcome of his first developmental stage, trust versus mistrust. Erikson argued that dependable care during infancy helps a child develop hope and confidence in other people.
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