Erik Erikson (Psychologist)

Erik Erikson was a German-American psychologist best known for his theory of psychosocial development. He proposed that individuals go through eight distinct stages from infancy to old age, each characterized by a specific conflict that must be resolved for healthy development. These stages include challenges like trust vs. mistrust in early life and integrity vs. despair in old age. Erikson's work emphasizes the impact of social relationships and cultural context on personality development, highlighting how our experiences shape who we are throughout our lives. His theories remain influential in psychology, education, and therapy.