- Ebook:
- 5 pages
- Illustrations:
- 2 Color Plates, 1 Sketch
- Released:
- December 12th, 2005
The genogram of one of the most famous human development theorists, Erik Erikson, provides an interesting illustration of the value of this tool for understanding people in life cycle context. It is interesting that Erik Erikson who was so preoccupied with the concept of Identity all his life, actually never had the opportunity to learn his own identity. In later life he and others did much research to discover his father's identity, but when finally he had the chance to learn the results of the research he chose not to view it. He had invented his own last name “Erikson” as if to say: "Erik, son of myself." Many said his name change hid the Jewish part of his identity and even the German part of his background, emphasizing a Scandinavian connection with a father he had never known.