Erik Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development Many psychologists and psychoanalysts have influenced the way human growth and development is viewed today. These psychologists and psychoanalysts have developed theories that are used every day in the healthcare profession. The view that healthcare professionals have on growth and development greatly influences patient outcome. Understanding the theories of Freud, Kohlberg, Piaget and Erikson is extremely important for nurses. Erik Erikson developed one of the theories that nurses easily use today. Erik Erickson was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in 1902. He moved to the United States in 1927. In 1936 Erickson joined the Institute of Human Relationships, which is part of Yale University. (“Erikson Institute,” 2014) Erikson was an ego psychologist. (McLeod, 2008) Erikson's theory predicts that an individual establishes a sense of trust and identity within his or her society and helps shape future generations. He believed that the role of society and culture helps shape personality. Erikson said there is a lot of room for growth and development throughout life. (McLeod, 2008) Erikson developed the theory of psychosocial development. Erik Erikson used Freud's lifespan developmental order. The predetermined order of life stages is called the epigenic principle. (McLeod, 2008) Erikson's theory is divided into eight phases. (Potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall, 2012-2014) Erikson believed that individuals must complete and master a task in one stage before they can move on to another stage. (Potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall, 2012-2014) Mastering tasks in stages is important because there will be future times when mastered tasks will be challenged and clarified…middle of the paper…ment. Each of the eight phases of his theory plays an important role for both the caregiver and the patient. The phase of industry and inferiority is particularly important to understand. Maintaining a child's sense of self-worth and allowing for personal triumph can help the child transition to hospitalization. This stage must be mastered before the individual can move on to the next stage of identity and role confusion. References Eric Erikson. (2014). Retrieved from www.erikson.edu/about/history/erik-erikson/McLeod, S. (2008). Simply psychology: Erik Erikson. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.htmlPotter, Perry, Stockert, and Hall (eds.). (2012-2014). Development theories. Fundamentals of Nursing: 8th Edition (8 ed. (p. 133). http://dx.doi.org/Sharkey, W. (1997). Erik Erikson. Retrieved from www.muskingum.edu/~psch/psycwen/ histoy/erikson.com