Erik Erikson Essay

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Abstract: This paper will explore the stages of psychosocial development as articulated by Erik Erikson. It will summarize the eight developmental stages of a healthy lifespan. The stages go from infancy to adulthood with the hopes of each being mastered. Each stage builds on the first with successful completion being significant. Unsuccessful completion may result in future problems. Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Erik Erikson (1902-1994) was a German-born American psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theories of human beings, specifically on psychosocial development. His most famous phrase is the term he coined “identity crisis,” meaning failure to achieve ego identity during adolescence. Erikson’s interest in psychology can be traced back to his childhood. He was born on June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt. Erikson grew up unaware of the real circumstances of his birth. His actually mother, Karla Abrahamsen, came from a Jewish family. When Erikson was born he was given the name Erik Salomonsen. Erikson’s mother never saw the father again, and little is known about him. Following his birth, Abrahamsen moved to Karlsruhe and married Theodore Homburger, a Jewish pediatrician, in 1905. During his childhood, Erikson was known as Eric Homburger and his actual birth was kept a secret. Erikson was confused about his name growing up and the kids teased him in school for being a Nordic. The development of identity is not only a focal point in Erikson’s theory, but in his childhood as well. Erikson went on to become a student and teacher of the arts. While teaching in Vienna, Erikson met Anna Freud, and through Anna met her father, Sigmund Freud. Erikson decided he wanted to become an analyst after going through psychoanalysis himself. He studied at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute focusing on child development and sexual stages. During school Erikson

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