Biography of Eric Erickson
Erik Erikson is an American psychologist who adhered to the theory of personality development, and a psychoanalyst, thanks to which the theory of “personal crisis” appeared in science.
Childhood and early years
Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt in Germany, in the family of Carla Abrahamsen and stockbroker, Jew Valdemar Isidore Salomonsen. At the time when the boy was born, his parents had not seen each other for several months. Recorded it as Eric Salomonsen, but there is no real information about his biological father. Shortly after the birth of his son, his mother moved to Karlsruhe, where he arranged to work as a nurse and was married for the second time, to Pediatrician Theodor Homburger.
In 1911 the Homburger officially adopts the boy, and he becomes Eric Homburger. The story of his birth is carefully hidden from him, and the boy grows up, not knowing who his real father is.
Scientific activity
Erikson teaches at a private school
In 1933, during his studies at the institute, a Nazi party came to power in Germany, and Erickson had to flee the country. First he goes to Denmark, and then moves to the United States, where he becomes the first child psychoanalyst in Boston.
Having worked there for a while, Erickson changes positions in various institutions, including the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Center for Family Education of Judge Baker, the Harvard Medical School and the Psychological Clinic, etc.
In 1936, Ericson teaches at the Harvard Medical School, and also works at the Institute of Interpersonal Relations at this university. He also finds time to train a group of children on a Sioux reservation in South Dakota.
In 1937 years. Erickson leaves Harvard and goes to the staff of the University of California. He closely cooperates with the Institute of Social Protection of Children and is engaged in private
In 1950, his personal experience of communicating with representatives of different races living in different social conditions leads to the writing of the most famous book for all his scientific activity, “Childhood and Society.” In this book, the author presents the world his own theory of “personal crisis”.
After retiring from the University of California, Erickson begins to work and teach at the Center of Osten Riggs – the main psychiatric hospital in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. There, in the nature of his work, he faces mentally unbalanced adolescents.
In 1960, Erickson returned to Harvard University, where he worked until retirement, after which, together with his wife, will work on various topics in psychology.
Basic work
The main contribution to the development of psychology of Erickson was his theory of personality development. He argued that a person develops throughout his life, and has identified eight basic stages of this development.
Awards and achievements
In 1973, the National Humanitarian Foundation awarded Erickson the honor of addressing the Jefferson Lecture, the highest US award for achievements in the humanities. His lecture was entitled “Measuring a new identity”.
For his work, which made a significant contribution to the development of psychology, Erickson receives the Pulitzer Prize. For the book “True Gandhi” the author is awarded the National Book Award of the United States in the category “Philosophy and Religion.”
Personal life
In 1930, Erickson marries Joan Serson Erickson, with whom he will live his entire life. In their family, four children were born. His son, Kai T. Erickson, will become an outstanding American sociologist.
Interesting Facts
In the Jewish school of young Erikson tease for belonging to the Nordic race, while in German high school he is called a Jew.
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