Erik Erikson
“Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired.” (psychology.about.com). These are the words of Erik Erikson. Erikson contributed to the study of psychology, helping people better understand how personality is developed.
To begin, Erik Erikson was born June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany. Erikson grew up without a father until his mother, Karla Abrahamsen, remarried. She married a physician named Dr. Theodor Homberger. Although as a baby Erikson had no father figure his mother told him Homberger was his dad, Homberger was also his pediatrician. Erikson believed this for many years. The story is his parents separated before he was born, but close studies say he never saw his birth father or the mother’s first husband (Erikson' obituary). His mother was Jewish, but Erikson was half jewish and half Nordic. In his temple school Erikson was made fun of for being Nordic, tall, blonde, and blue eyed. Although in grammar school he was rejected for his jewish background. Growing up Erikson was an outcast. He did not go to medical school as his stepfather had wanted, but instead he went to an art school. After a year of being in art school he decided to take time off and travel. “He ended up in Vienna where, among other things, he painted children’s portraits” (nndb.com). While here a friend suggested he study psychology. Erikson was interested in children, seeing this interest Anna Freud, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became his mentor. He received a certificate from Vienna Psychoanalytic Society as well as a teaching degree, and a Montessori method certificate.
Later, while teaching Erikson met Joan Serson, who he would go on to marry. Joan was a Canadian dance instructor who also taught at the school. In 1929 Joan got pregnant with Kai, their first son. He married Joan in 1930 so as not to make the same mistake as his mother. They met while teaching at the same school. Erikson’s mother and stepfather did not approve of Joan at first because of religious disagreements. In 1933 Jon MacDonald was born. Vienna had little opportunities for jobs while under Hitler’s Regime. Therefore the family had little money. This being the case they packed up and moved to Copenhagen. Because so many Jews were fleeing to Denmark Erikson’s family was only allowed a six month visitor pass, and this did not allow them to have jobs. Erikson tried to get the pass extended, but could not (http://www.psychology.sbc.edu/mccomas.htm). That being the case the family moved to the United States in 1933. They lived in Boston, Massachusetts. Erikson became one of the first child psychoanalysts. Living in the U.S. Erikson was offered a job at Harvard Medical School. At the same time as working at Harvard he had a private practice in child psychoanalysis.
Likewise, Erikson contributed to child psychology. His theory was personality develops in stages. His theory states the impact of social experiences across a lifespan. There are eight stages to his theory. The first being Trust vs. Mistrust. This stage occurs from birth-one year old. It states that if a child develops trust he or she will feel safe and secure in the world. The second stage is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. This age group is two to three years of age. During this stage a caregiver should supply a supportive atmosphere, so a child develops a sense of self-control. The third stage is Initiative vs. Guilt. This age group is four to five years of age. It states that a child figures out what kind of person they are. Stage four is Industry vs. Inferiority. This age group is six years to puberty. When a child enters this stage he or she wants to know more about the world. They are exposed to society’s ways. A child starts school around this time, and is introduced to books, computers, homework, and more. Erikson believes learning does not only take place in the classroom, but also outside of school. The fifth stage is Identity vs. Identity confusion. This is the period of adolescence. In this stage a person reaches the identity climax, and finds out who their true selves are. The sixth stage is Intimacy vs. Isolation. This stage occurs during young adulthood. Intimacy is only reached if true identity is emerged fro stage five. The seventh stage is Generativity vs. Stagnation. This stage helps younger generations develop a leading and useful life. Finally the eighth stage is Integrity vs. Despair. This occurs during late adulthood. This is the stage where a person looks back and evaluates his or her life. These are the eight stages of Erikson’s theory.
Erik Erikson is still to this day considered a “father of psychosocial development”. Erikson died may 12, 1994 in Harwich. He contributed a great deal to educational society. “Healthy children will not fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death”.
“Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired.” (psychology.about.com). These are the words of Erik Erikson. Erikson contributed to the study of psychology, helping people better understand how personality is developed.
To begin, Erik Erikson was born June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany. Erikson grew up without a father until his mother, Karla Abrahamsen, remarried. She married a physician named Dr. Theodor Homberger. Although as a baby Erikson had no father figure his mother told him Homberger was his dad, Homberger was also his pediatrician. Erikson believed this for many years. The story is his parents separated before he was born, but close studies say he never saw his birth father or the mother’s first husband (Erikson' obituary). His mother was Jewish, but Erikson was half jewish and half Nordic. In his temple school Erikson was made fun of for being Nordic, tall, blonde, and blue eyed. Although in grammar school he was rejected for his jewish background. Growing up Erikson was an outcast. He did not go to medical school as his stepfather had wanted, but instead he went to an art school. After a year of being in art school he decided to take time off and travel. “He ended up in Vienna where, among other things, he painted children’s portraits” (nndb.com). While here a friend suggested he study psychology. Erikson was interested in children, seeing this interest Anna Freud, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became his mentor. He received a certificate from Vienna Psychoanalytic Society as well as a teaching degree, and a Montessori method certificate.
Later, while teaching Erikson met Joan Serson, who he would go on to marry. Joan was a Canadian dance instructor who also taught at the school. In 1929 Joan got pregnant with Kai, their first son. He married Joan in 1930 so as not to make the same mistake as his mother. They met while teaching at the same school. Erikson’s mother and stepfather did not approve of Joan at first because of religious disagreements. In 1933 Jon MacDonald was born. Vienna had little opportunities for jobs while under Hitler’s Regime. Therefore the family had little money. This being the case they packed up and moved to Copenhagen. Because so many Jews were fleeing to Denmark Erikson’s family was only allowed a six month visitor pass, and this did not allow them to have jobs. Erikson tried to get the pass extended, but could not (http://www.psychology.sbc.edu/mccomas.htm). That being the case the family moved to the United States in 1933. They lived in Boston, Massachusetts. Erikson became one of the first child psychoanalysts. Living in the U.S. Erikson was offered a job at Harvard Medical School. At the same time as working at Harvard he had a private practice in child psychoanalysis.
Likewise, Erikson contributed to child psychology. His theory was personality develops in stages. His theory states the impact of social experiences across a lifespan. There are eight stages to his theory. The first being Trust vs. Mistrust. This stage occurs from birth-one year old. It states that if a child develops trust he or she will feel safe and secure in the world. The second stage is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. This age group is two to three years of age. During this stage a caregiver should supply a supportive atmosphere, so a child develops a sense of self-control. The third stage is Initiative vs. Guilt. This age group is four to five years of age. It states that a child figures out what kind of person they are. Stage four is Industry vs. Inferiority. This age group is six years to puberty. When a child enters this stage he or she wants to know more about the world. They are exposed to society’s ways. A child starts school around this time, and is introduced to books, computers, homework, and more. Erikson believes learning does not only take place in the classroom, but also outside of school. The fifth stage is Identity vs. Identity confusion. This is the period of adolescence. In this stage a person reaches the identity climax, and finds out who their true selves are. The sixth stage is Intimacy vs. Isolation. This stage occurs during young adulthood. Intimacy is only reached if true identity is emerged fro stage five. The seventh stage is Generativity vs. Stagnation. This stage helps younger generations develop a leading and useful life. Finally the eighth stage is Integrity vs. Despair. This occurs during late adulthood. This is the stage where a person looks back and evaluates his or her life. These are the eight stages of Erikson’s theory.
Erik Erikson is still to this day considered a “father of psychosocial development”. Erikson died may 12, 1994 in Harwich. He contributed a great deal to educational society. “Healthy children will not fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death”.