Sigmund Freud: Erikson was deeply influenced by Freud's psychoanalytic theory, particularly the concept of the ego and its development. He expanded upon Freud's ideas, focusing on the social and cultural influences on personality development.
Anna Freud: Erikson was also influenced by Anna Freud, Sigmund's daughter, who was a prominent psychoanalyst specializing in child psychology. Her work on ego development further inspired Erikson's own research.
Alfred Adler: Erikson was interested in Adler's concept of the "inferiority complex" and its role in shaping personality. He believed that the need to overcome feelings of inadequacy drives development.
Jean Piaget: Erikson was interested in Piaget's work on cognitive development. He recognized the importance of cognitive stages in shaping personality and social development.
Carl Jung: Erikson was influenced by Jung's concept of the collective unconscious and archetypes. He incorporated Jung's ideas into his own theory of the "ego identity," which encompasses a person's sense of self within their social context.
Martin Buber: Erikson was inspired by Buber's philosophy of interpersonal relationships, particularly the concept of "I-Thou" dialogue. This influenced his emphasis on the importance of meaningful relationships in shaping personality.
Anthropology and Cultural Studies: Erikson was deeply interested in cultural influences on personality development. He traveled extensively, studying different cultures and their impact on individual identity formation.
Other Influences: Erikson was also influenced by existentialism, the work of John Dewey, and the historical events of his time, including the rise of Nazism and World War II.
Overall, Erikson's work was a synthesis of multiple perspectives, drawing inspiration from different fields to develop his own unique and influential theory of psychosocial development.