The Erikson's Identity And Counter Identity

Although, using the Erikson approach might be able to describe their isolation from their peers and how they developed their own counter identity to defy almost everyone around them, it doesn’t completely fit for what we have. For example, Eric felt like he didn’t fit in, but in all actuality, he was very charming and was accepted by many others and the girls tended to gravitate towards him. He acted confident in his approaches to people, very intelligent and was dedicated to his education. Never missing a class where there was a quiz, test or a major assignment. He was always quick to raise his hand. Dylan may have been painfully shy around others, but again who showed interest in his future and in school. He made plans for his future after

According to Erikson’s Identity vs. Role Confusion, Eric and Dylan were rejected by their peers; as a result they were unable to develop a healthy identity. Which resulted in the acquisition of their own counter identity as a way to defy others who they think rejected them. However, as we see, both were at some level accepted by others, so it becomes a tricky proposition to come to a conclusive Eriksonian view point. However, it may not matter if they were not really rejected by everyone, but whether or not they perceived it to be true. Their perception of isolation, rejection and humiliation was enough to justify their unhealthy identity they acquired. Once they established their identity, and became the victims they thought they were, they felt justified in the mass murder they would later commit. This is why it would be helpful if we knew more of their childhood upbringing. Whether their parents were good and supportive parents when the boys were younger, whether or not they would give praise, and whether they promoted a sense of trust. At least when it came to their parents and their immediate

He seemed to always be looking for Eric’s approval in every sense. Dylan would try to outdo Eric in many ways as a way to earn Eric’s approval. Dylan seemed to constantly be looking towards Eric in hopes of some type of reinforcement. To me, this is Dylan looking to form an attachment he felt he was missing all of his life as an easily embarrassed shy boy. Unfortunately, Dylan lacked insight to understand that even at that moment, when he felt an attachment to another person, he still felt a sense of insecurity, by always looking for that approval from Eric. I see a boy who developed another insecure attachment with another unhealthy and deviant personality like himself. Through this yet another unhealthy insecure attachment, and the lack of a healthy attachment from family, they began to isolate themselves and reinforce their world views upon one another. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy in a sense. They both saw themselves as isolated and part of the out group. However, this is of no consequence of those around them. They isolated themselves, and made themselves the outcastes they so proclaimed to be victims