Erik Erikson's Theories

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Erik Erikson's contribution to psychoanalytic theory and compares it to the theories of Sigmund Freud. It discusses the application of his theories not only to identity and personality, but also to social science issues, as well as his focus on the problems of children, adolescents and adults. The paper suggests that Erikson took the basics of Freudian theory and expanded it, placing emphasis on the social development and the development of the individual over the life cycle.

From the Paper:

"Erikson has taken the basics of Freudian theory and expanded beyond the basics of psychosocial development placing emphasis on the social development and the development of the individual over the life cycle. His teachings moved away from man as a creature whose personal development was based upon his existence as a sexual being to that of the individual as a whole. Erikson was able to identify that personality differs from culture to culture, although it was his hypothesis that developmental tasks are similar to all cultures. Erikson took the initial psychological basis of Freud's work and was able to expand upon it, establishing a connection between childhood and adulthood (Leffert, 2007). Erikson's hypothesis showed that individuals were not necessarily prisoners of their pre-cognitive development, but rather adaptable individuals who could use the restructuring of negative or missed opportunities to develop positive outcomes, no matter what the stage of life."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chapman AJ, Foot HC, Smith JR. (1995) Friendship and Social Relations in Children. Transaction Publishers, New York.
• Wallerstein, R.S. (1998). Erikson's Concept of Ego Identity Reconsidered. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 46:229-247
• Leffert M. (2007) Postmodernism and its impact on psychoanalysis. Bull Menninger Clin. 71; 1:22-41.
• Marzi A, Hautmann G, Maestro S. (2006) Critical reflections on intersubjectivity in psychoanalysis. Int J Psychoanal 87; 1297-1314.
• Douvan E. (1997) Erik Erikson: critical times, critical theory. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 29; 1:15-21.

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