Erikson's own interest in identity began in childhood.

born Ashkenazic Jewish,

Erikson felt that he was an outsider. His later studies of cultural life among the Yurok
of northern California and the iou! of outh "akota hel#ed formalize Erikson's
ideas about identity de$elo#ment and identity crisis. Erikson described those going
through an identity crisis as e!hibiting confusion.
%&'