Erik Erikson Will Kasparian Garrett Schrock Nicholas Grinde Erik Erikson June 15, 1905 - May 12, 1994 Erik Erikson was a German born psychologist and psychoanalyst. Decided against going to college and after traveling for a year, he enrolled in art school where he began to teach American children who enrolled in Freudian training. He moved to Boston in 1933 to take a position at Harvard Medical School and became America’s first child analyst. Erikson also held positions at Yale and Berkeley. Sigmund and Anna Freud had a large impact on Erikson’s work. Erikson’s Theory Erikson believed that humans developed throughout their lifespan, unlike Freud, who believed human personality was shaped by age 5. He listed 8 stages of development and believed that each stage had a climax which had to be resolved to move on to the next stage. In his book Toys and Reasons Erikson links the eight stages of the life cycle to everyday forms of ritualization. The 8 stages of Erikson’s psychological theory: ● Trust vs. mistrust ● Autonomy vs. shame ● Initiative vs. guilt ● Industry vs. inferiority ● Ego identity vs. role confusion ● Intimacy vs isolation ● Generativity vs. stagnation ● Ego integrity vs. despair From Toys and Reasons: Stages in the Ritualization of Experience In the book Toys and Reasons Erikson examines the relationship of play to reality with forms of ritualization and relates them to the stages of the life cycle. These forms of ritualization support behavior patterns that help us adapt to our cultural system. Ritual element- The support of formation of a set of behavior patterns that are adaptive through a given culture system. The stage of life the subject is going through. Form of encounter- The life experience with another human being that forms the behavior or belief. Disorienting experiences- The negative behavior that a person exemplifies towards the subject during the life stages. Ritual excess- The set of beliefs the subject forms when the ritual process is in abundance. Trust vs. Mistrust ● Ritual element- Numinous stage also considered as the infancy stage. The relationship between the mother and child develops . ● Form of encounter- Mutual recognition. The bases of trust that develops between the individual and others. The connection and interaction between mother and individual that makes them feel a sense of belonging. ● Disorienting experience- Separation or abandonment issues will form if the mother approaches with a worried concern, anxiously rendering a name, or ignores the child in time of need. ● Ritual excess- Idolism. When trust and mutuality develop in excess the mother can become the idol of the child. This can led to the feeling of abandonment when the mother is not easily accessible. Autonomy vs. Shame ● Ritual element- Judicious stage which is the second stage of life. Life rapidly advances in Psychosocial autonomy whe ...

1. Erik Erikson
Will Kasparian
Garrett Schrock
Nicholas Grinde
Erik Erikson
June 15, 1905 - May 12, 1994
Erik Erikson was a German born psychologist
and psychoanalyst. Decided against going to
college and after traveling for a year, he
enrolled in art school where he began to teach
American children who enrolled in Freudian
training. He moved to Boston in 1933 to take a
position at Harvard Medical School and
became America’s first child analyst. Erikson
also held positions at Yale and Berkeley.
Sigmund and Anna Freud had a large impact on
Erikson’s work.

2. Erikson’s Theory
Erikson believed that humans developed
throughout their lifespan, unlike Freud,
who believed human personality was
shaped by age 5. He listed 8 stages of
development and believed that each
stage had a climax which had to be
resolved to move on to the next stage. In
his book Toys and Reasons Erikson links
the eight stages of the life cycle to
everyday forms of ritualization.
The 8 stages of Erikson’s psychological
theory:
● Trust vs. mistrust
● Autonomy vs. shame
● Initiative vs. guilt
● Industry vs. inferiority
● Ego identity vs. role confusion
● Intimacy vs isolation
● Generativity vs. stagnation

3. ● Ego integrity vs. despair
From Toys and Reasons: Stages in the
Ritualization of Experience
In the book Toys and Reasons Erikson examines the relationship
of play to reality with forms of ritualization
and relates them to the stages of the life cycle. These forms of
ritualization support behavior patterns that help
us adapt to our cultural system.
Ritual element- The support of formation of a set of behavior
patterns that are adaptive through a given culture
system. The stage of life the subject is going through.
Form of encounter- The life experience with another human
being that forms the behavior or belief.
Disorienting experiences- The negative behavior that a person
exemplifies towards the subject during the life
stages.
Ritual excess- The set of beliefs the subject forms when the
ritual process is in abundance.
Trust vs. Mistrust
● Ritual element- Numinous stage also considered as the

4. infancy stage. The relationship between
the mother and child develops .
● Form of encounter- Mutual recognition. The bases of trust
that develops between the individual
and others. The connection and interaction between mother and
individual that makes them feel
a sense of belonging.
● Disorienting experience- Separation or abandonment issues
will form if the mother approaches
with a worried concern, anxiously rendering a name, or ignores
the child in time of need.
● Ritual excess- Idolism. When trust and mutuality develop in
excess the mother can become the
idol of the child. This can led to the feeling of abandonment
when the mother is not easily
accessible.
Autonomy vs. Shame
● Ritual element- Judicious stage which is the second stage of
life. Life rapidly advances in Psychosocial autonomy
where the individual test ways of playing and deciding limits.
● Form of encounter- Discipline from adults and acquaintances
which lets the individual know what is acceptable
forms of play in society. Trials of play that an individual goes
through where decision are made based off of what
looks correct and what feels natural.

5. ● Disorienting experience- The individual either experiences
approval or disapproval from society based on their
actions of play. If the individual’s experience involves being
shamed, the result impacts the play behavior and
causes self doubt.
● Ritual excess- Legalism. If the individual fails to be shamed
and repent properly, the community loses control and
often seeks to again gain control through extreme punitive
action.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Ritual Element- Dramatic, where the child uses toys to relive,
correct, and recreate past
experiences to anticipate future events. The child is looking for
role models.
Form of Encounter- Drama/Story- The child is experimenting
with self-images and the images of
others. The community provides a stage for individual
initiative and innovation.
Disorienting Experience- Self-condemnation. It is a time of
testing and experimenting. Child
performs and competes for a place in the community. The
child gets feedback to see how the
behavior fits.

6. Ritual Excess- Moralism - Can lead to egotism and an
excessive preoccupation with self. We
need to learn to learn competence and self-sacrifice.
Industry vs. Inferiority
Ritual Element-Ideological-This element is during school years
and is more formal/technical.
Form of Encounter-There are shared convictions in the
community. Play is guided by more
serious work. Methodical performance is required and is
influenced by teachers and discipline.
Disorienting Experience- Incompetence Humans can strive for
method and logic which can lead
to self-enslavement. Norms and discipline can alienate
individuals who find it hard to meet the
letter of the law.
Ritual Excess- Formalism- Over formalism and the attempt for
perfection. People can resist
institutional demands which are seen as illogical if they demand
exclusive commitment. This is
especially the case if an individual is exposed to more than one
subcommunity.

7. Ego identity vs. Role confusion
Ritual Element- Ideological and the search for the ideal.
Making opinions on what their ideal
friend, college, or job should be.
Form of Encounter- Shared Convictions. The individual goes
through the process of sorting out
and solidifying their convictions. Their influences could be
their friends, family, and peers.
Disorienting Experience-Selflessness There may be few ideal
alternatives in rural communities
and many options in metropolitan areas. The individual knows
that the models around are less
than ideal.
Ritual Excess- Totalism Examples are the efforts to find the
perfect job or the partner. This
search can lead to problems of what is ideal and attainable.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Ritual Element- Affiliative- Period in early adulthood where
you build personal relationships
Form of Encounter- Mutuality- In young adulthood we begin to

8. share ourselves more intimately.
Trying to find someone to share a strong and intimate
relationship, that is happy, enduring, and
secure.
Disorienting Experience- Exclusion - The individual tries to
determine what is worth making a
commitment to only one. This can lead to loneliness and
depression
Ritual Excess- Elitism- Shared narcissism, and excluding
yourself from others.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Ritual Element-Generational- Wanting to give back to society,
through parenting, work, and
relationships.
Form of Encounter- Care for others . The younger generation
realizes there is a pay off in
adulthood. Start mentoring and teaching children.
Disorienting Experience- Irresponsibility- Individual is not
giving back to community and will feel
unproductive and uninvolved in the world.
Ritual Excess- Authoritism- Becoming oppressive, and abusing
your authority on people.

9. Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Ritual Element- Integral part of a community.
Form of Encounter- Personify Wisdom . Individual looks back
to the positive accomplishments
in their life.
Disorienting Experience-Incoherence. The adult feels his life
was unsuccessful, and experience
regrets. This can lead to hopelessness and depression.
Ritual Excess- Dogmatism- Believing your accomplishments are
successful without facts or
evidence to prove it.
Relation to Play
● Erikson believes the play of children is not just a way to
express conflicts and problems
but also a way to find symbolic solutions.
● Play and imagination are recognized by Erikson as means
through which children learn
about themselves and their social world.
● Play allows for conceptual thought to develop and the
possibilities are explored through
the imagination.

10. ● Erikson explores play and talks about the value, how it offers
the ability to be creative and
be free. He describes play as unique and yet challenging.
● Play allows for vision which Erikson describes as including
the capacity to see what is
before us right now and the ability to foresee might be possible
in the future.