A test of Erikson's theory of ego epigenesis.

Abstract

The two basic postulates of Erikson's theory of ego epigenesis were tested on a sample of 120 boys (5-, 8-, and 11-year-olds), using a projective instrument designed by Boyd and this author's coding system. Results indicated that the first postulate, ego stage progression with increasing age, found preliminary confirmation; Group I was most concerned with Stages II and III, while Groups 2 and 3 showed peak interest in Stages III and IV, respectively. The validity of the second postulate, that the ego develops as it meets the different crisis elements of the ego stages, was called into question. All three groups showed most conflict for the Stage II crisis—autono my versus shame and doubt—suggesting that this may be the focal crisis of the first five ego stages. While Erikson's theory has gained prominence in both clinical and academic settings, research efforts toward testing it have been limited. Most of the references in the literature are descriptive, either pointing to the theoretical importance of his work (e.g., Gill & Klein, 1964; Murphy, Green, Henry, & Friedenberg, 1966) or elaborating on his theory of identity and its clinical or conceptual utility (e.g., Lichtenstein, 1963; Sarlin, 1963). Some authors have inquired into the validity of various isolated aspects of the theory, usually using rating scales or adjustment measures based on Erikson's formulations at different points on the developmental continuum (see Arasteh, 1965; Marcia, 1966; Pable, 1965; Pitcher & Prelinger, 1963).