Identity and Community: Erikson Reconsidered

Abstract

In this paper, I present a new reading of Erik Erikson’s theory of epigenetic stages of development, with particular attention to the concept of identity. I show that Erikson’s psychosocial approach requires close attention to the role of the community in the formation of individual identity and to the importance of the stage of generativity as an often overlooked component in understanding both identity and the whole Eriksonian life cycle.

Keywords:

• Erik Erikson
• identity
• epigenetic stages
• generativity
• psychosocial
• life cycle

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert A. Paul

Robert A. Paul is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Studies at Emory University. He is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and a Training and Supervising Analyst on the faculty of the Emory University Psychoanalytic institute. He sits on the Scholars Council of the Erikson Institute at the Austen Riggs Center.