Abstract
The writings of the late Erik H. Erikson (1) have contributed directly to the psychological study of religion, (2) were amenable to the efforts of others to develop normative theological arguments, and (3) might be seen as themselves examples of contemporary, nontheological accounts of the religious dimension of human existence. This paper begins by reviewing the principal contributions that Erikson made to the psychological study of religion, followed by a review of the uses that have been made of Erikson's work for normative/constructive activities in such areas as practical theology and pastoral counseling. I will then argue that Erikson's writings — when viewed in the vein of William James's radical empiricism and functionalist accounts of human religiosity — identify an irreducibly religious dimension to normative human functioning. Erikson's functionalism constitutes a form of nontheological religious thinking that speaks directly to concerns presenting themselves in contemporary culture.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albin, M. Ed. (1980).New directions in psychohistory. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
Browning, D. (1973).Generative man: Psychoanalytic perspectives. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
Browning, D. (1978). Erikson and the search for a normative image of man. In P. Homans. Ed.,Childhood and selfhood: Essays on tradition, religion, and modernity in the psychology of Erik H. Erkson. (pp. 264–292). Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press.
Capps, D. (1979).Pastoral care: A thematic approach. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
Capps, D. (1983).Life cycle theory and pastoral care. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Capps, D., Capps, W., & Bradford, M. G. Eds. (1977).Encounter with Erikson: Historical interpretation and religious biography. Missoula, MT: Scholars Press.
Capps, W. (1977). Erikson's orientation as process philosophy. In D. Capps, W. Capps, and M. Bradford. Eds.,Encounter with Erikson: Historical interpretation and religious biography. (pp. 401–419). Missoula, MT: Scholars Press.
Erikson, E. (1958).Young man Luther A study in psychoanalysis and history. New York: W. W. Norton.
Erikson, E. (1959).Identity and the life cycle. New York: International Universities Press.
Erikson, E. (1969).Gandhi's truth: On the origins of militant nonviolence. New York: W. W. Norton.
Erikson, E. (1975).History and the historical moment. New York: W. W. Norton.
Erikson, E. (1976). Reflections on Dr. Borg's life cycle.Daedalus 105, 1–20.
Erikson, Erik. (1977).Toys and Reasons. New York: W. W. Norton.
Erikson, E. (1982).The life cycle completed New York: W. W. Norton.
Homans, P. (Ed.). (1978).Childhood and selfhood: Essays on tradition, religion, and modernity in the psychology of Erik H. Erikson. Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press. See his own essay, “The Significance of Erikson's Psychology for Modern Understandings of Psychology,” pp. 113–143.
Hutch, R. (1983).Emerson's optics: Biographical process and the dawn of religious leadership. Washington, DC: University Press of America.
James, W. (1971).Essays in radical empiricism. New York: E. P. Dutton.
Johnson, R. A. (Ed.). (1977).Psychohistory and religion: The case of young man Luther. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Kovel, J. (1974). Erik Erikson's psychohistory.Social Policy, 4, 60–64.
Lyon, K. B. (1985).Toward a practical theology of aging. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Moore, R. (1979).John Wesley and authority: A psychological perspective. Missoula, MT: Scholars Press.
Pomper, P. (1985).The structure of mind in history: Five major figures in psychohistory. New York: Columbia University Press.
Spitz, L. W. (1977). Psychohistory and history: The case of young man Luther. In R. A. Johnson (Ed.),Psychohistory and religion (pp. 57–87). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Whitehead, E. and Whitehead, J. (1979).Christian life patterns: The psychological challenges and religious invitations of adult life. Garden City, NJ: Doubleday.
Wright, J. E. (1982).Erikson: Identity and religion. New York: Seabury Press.
Wulff, D. (1991).Psychology of religion: Classic and contemporary views. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Yankelovich, D., & Barrett, W. (1970).Ego and instinct: The psychoanalytic view of human nature revisited. New York: Random House.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fuller, R.C. Erikson, psychology, and religion. Pastoral Psychol 44, 371–383 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02297799
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02297799