Erikson's Theory Research Articles

Relationship of Ego Identity to Psychosocial Effectiveness

This study was designed to examine systematically the relationship of Erikson's concept of ego identity to psychosocial effectiveness as actually demonstrated in daily living. Two groups of Navy recruits, one composed of individuals making a highly adequate psychosocial adjustment and the second containing persons demonstrating minimally adequate adjustment, served as Ss. Highly significant differences were obtained on an operational measure of ego identity. Evidence of construct validity was adduced in terms of the predicted relationship of ego identity and a self-concept measure as well as through inter-correlation of subscores on the ego identity instrument. The results lend support both to the value of Erikson's theory in the systematic study of personality and his position that an adequate ego identity is necessary for a person to cope effectively with his social and cultural environment.

AND LEAVE FOR THE UNKNOWN.

WE HAVE LEARNED that human behavior is neither completely learned nor is it preformed, to be revealed during maturation. Accumulated evidence suggests that human growth and behavior develop according to a plan. Initially, this concept of epigenesis stemmed from observations in embryology during the 18th century, and maintained that there is progressive formation and differentiation of organs from a homogeneous germ. The theory is used now to help explain growth and development of the mind as well as the body. Scholars in the fields of psychology, psychoanalysis, and the social sciences have evolved interesting and fruitful ideas about the unity of the human life cycle and the specific dynamics of each of its stages as determined by the laws of individual development and social organization. Erik Erikson's theory assumes an inborn coordination to an average expectable environment. His concept of mutuality emphasizes the crucial coordination between the developing individual and

Conformity to Masculinity-Femininity Stereotypes and Ego Identity in Adolescents

Erikson's theory of ego identity was explored by relating a masculinity-femininity measure to perceived social role consistency (RC), one criterion of identity. Male adolescents whose behaviors tended to conform to cultural stereotypes of masculinity showed higher RC than less masculine males. This was consistent with the hypothesis that social reward for conformity should tend to strengthen interpersonal habits, whereas social punishment for nonconformity should have a weakening effect. Females who were either high or low feminine were more consistent than girls who were only moderately feminine. Combining elements of both the traditional feminine and “modern” masculine roles was considered contributory to lower RC for the latter group.