Life as a Source of Theory: Erik Erikson’s Contributions, Boundaries, and Marginalities

Abstract

This chapter examines the connections between Erik Erikson's life history and the development of his theoretical approaches. Erikson's life cycle theory emphasizes the transitions across the human life span, and the ongoing tensions (crises) facing persons as they age. I argue that Erikson's personal life history was an important source of his theoretical focus on transitions, marginalities, and ambiguities in human experience. Indeed, the "growth of his work" represented a series of geographical and intellectual emigrations over the course of nine decades during twentieth century. The life cycle theory as developed in Childhood & Society (Erikson 1950) would serve as a platform for 30 years of subsequent theorizing over a wide range of domains and would help him create a body of work that continues to prove meaningful for contemporary psychology and social thought. This chapter briefly explores these domains of concern and delineates the relevance of Erikson's theoretical approaches by discussing critical themes in his life and work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)