Comparing Theories: Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson

Psychology Research Paper

Madeline M Bowers

Paris Junior College

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Abstract

My research paper explains the theories, work, family, and differences/similarities of two theorists. Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson are the theorists I chose to compare. Both did a lot to change the way people saw psychology and understood it. What were the biggest differences between the two theorists? Freud explains the psychosexual side of psychology. Discovering the unconscious, a dark place that most people cannot even access without treatment, Freud looked into the “dark side” of psychology. Most of Freud’s theories are not able to be proven, leaving most physicians like him very skeptic of his work. Erikson focused on the psychosocial part of

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For my research paper I am going to talk about the lives of Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson. Both Theorists have their own ideas about people and what goes on in the human brain yet, both theories link together in certain areas. I will be discussing their lives and how their theories contributed to the field of psychology and how they are the same and how they differ. First, I will talk about Sigmund Freud. On May 6, 1856 Sigmund Freud was born in Freiburg, Moravia. Four years later, Freud’s family moved from Moravia to Vienna, Austria due to economic troubles. After studying medication at the University of Vienna, he later became a respected physician. While working as a physician Freud became “interested in the emotional disorder known as hysteria” (Cherry). In

Erik had never met his biological father but had a stepfather. Many years later, he found out that his stepfather was not his real father. “Finding out the truth left Erikson confused about who he really was” (Cherry). This confusion sparked his interest in identity formation and followed him throughout his career. Erikson earned a certificate from the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. Erikson started working at the same school that Freud worked at, and after meeting at a party they became friends. When he met Joan Serson, they got married in 1930 and had three children. I think his children are what inspired him to study theories about children. For work, Erikson thought as a bunch of different schools, Yale as an example. “He accomplished writing a number of books on his theories including Childhood and Society and Young Man Luther” (McLeod). One big difference between Freud’s theories and Erikson’s was, Freud’s theories focused on the psychosexual parts, and Erikson’s focused on a broader aspect to expand