Eric Erikson
English Comp I 8 April, 2002 Eric Erikson’s Eight Stages of Human Development Erik Erikson, who was born June 15, 1902, is a German-American psychoanalyst who has had a major influence on the behavioral and social sciences (Offer 1). He studied at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute (Erikson 9). In 1933, Erikson came to the United States, where he worked with Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco (Offer 1). Erikson introduced his theories on identity and identity crisis. According to Eric Erikson every human goes though eight stages during the course of ones life and once the steps are completed each individual will move on to the next stage. ... Children learn to make things, use tools, and acquire various skills (Erikson). ... ” Adolescents who have successfully dealt with their earlier conflicts are ready for the "Identity Crisis", which is considered by Erikson as the most significant conflict a person must face (71). ... If not, they will fear commitment, feel isolated and unable to depend on anyone (Erikson).