Eriksonsche

Eriksonsche refers to the work and theories of Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist who extended Freudian ideas by proposing a comprehensive theory of psychosocial development that spans the entire life course. Born in 1902 in Frankfurt and active mainly in the United States, Erikson emphasized how social, cultural, and historical factors interact with individual development to shape personality. The term is commonly used in German-language literature to describe theories attributed to Erikson, and in English sources the adjective is typically rendered Eriksonian.

Central to the Eriksonsche approach is psychosocial development across eight life stages, each centered on a specific conflict whose resolution contributes to a broader virtue or strength. The stages are: trust vs mistrust (infancy) with the virtue of hope; autonomy vs shame and doubt (toddler years) with will; initiative vs guilt (preschool) with purpose; industry vs inferiority (school age) with competence; identity vs role confusion (adolescence) with fidelity; intimacy vs isolation (young adulthood) with love; generativity vs stagnation (middle adulthood) with care; and integrity vs despair (late adulthood) with wisdom. These crises are seen as opportunities for growth, and successful resolution builds ego strength.

Eriksonsche concepts have influenced psychology, education, and social work, offering a framework for understanding development in context and across the lifespan. They have also been the subject of critique, including questions about cultural universality, empirical validation, and the universality of staged progression. The Eriksonsche framework remains a foundational reference for discussions of life-span development and identity formation.