1. By Olivia Paul & Natalie Steele
Erik Erikson
By Olivia Paul & Natalie Steele

2. General Biography Born in June of 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany
Pursued art rather than formal education prior to high school.
After traveling Europe for a year, he enrolled in Art School back in Germany, which eventually evolved to teaching children.
In 1933, he moved to the states and earned the title of the first child analysis at Harvard Medical School.
Studied and taught at Yale Medical School and University of California Berkeley.
Erikson had two children, one daughter and one son.
General Biography

3. Why is Erik Erikson Important?
Erikson’s theories revolved around how a psychological crisis (positive or negative) shapes personality development.
Physiological development through social cues progresses in 8 distinct stages

4. Research
Erikson was joined the staff of Harvard Psychological Clinic, which operated primarily as a research facility. As a part of the center’s Diagnostic Council, Erickson gave children clay families, and asked them to reenact family interactions to gain insight on personality traits relating to family connections.

5. Theories of Psychosocial and Cognitive Development
Trust vs Mistrust (birth-1)
Autonomy vs shame and doubt (1-3)
Initiative vs guilt(3-6)
Industry vs inferiority (6-11)
Ego Identity vs role confusion (adolescence)

6. Stage breakdowns
Stage 1: Infant becomes uncertain about the world they live in and they turn to their primary caregiver. (hope)
Stage 2: The child is discovering he/she has many skills and parents should allow them to explore their skills and allow them to fail. (will)
Stage 3: Children begin to take initiate in panning games with others but criticism can make them feel guilty.(purpose)
Stage 4: Children begin to look for the feeling of accomplishment by doing tasks on their own. (competence)
Stage 5: Teenagers being to learn the roles and responsibilities they will carry on to adulthood. (identity)

7. How It Applies
Examples:

8. Reaction
A lot of his ideas came from the idea that kids need to struggle on their own in order to grow. We agree with him to some degree. His eight stages make sense and we feel like they remain important today.

9. Citations
McLeod, Saul. "Erik Erikson." Simply Psychology
"Erik H. Erikson." Erikson Institute. January 02, Accessed February 16,
"Erik Erikson ( )." Erik Erikson Biography. Accessed February 16,