Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson was a German-American developmental psychologist known for his theory on psychosocial development. He proposed that social development occurs through eight stages of psychosocial crisis from infancy to late adulthood. His most influential stage was identity vs role confusion during adolescence where teens search for a sense of self. Erikson believed exploring choices without commitment during a moratorium was important for avoiding an identity crisis and developing a strong sense of self. His work had a significant impact on understanding adolescent psychology and identity development.