lacks rigour (Stevens 1983), as the behaviours and components are not easy to specify precisely and they are often unclear. Some have criticised the overlapping of the stages, though this may reflect the way things really are rather than any inadequacy in the account. As mentioned during the introduction, Eriksons model was based on his clinical work and studies of people from all stages of life, which provided excellent access to intimate details of their life experiences. However, Erikson accepted the possibility that due to this, his theory could be class or culture bound and actively pursued to remedy that assertion via his anthropological studies and seminars to discuss and compare the patterns of the life cycle in societies other than his own. In later writings, Erikson goes on to deepen his contribution to our understanding of the life cycle in two particular ways. One is represented by his biographical studies of the lives of specific individuals. The other, which will be considered next, is to elaborate in greater detail on the issue which first come to ascendancy (Stevens 1983), as we become adult, identity. Erikson believed that adolescence was a time of major change. It was he who characterised adolescence as a critical period in the life long process of forming ones identity (Sileman and Shaffer pp315). The concept of identity is a consistent theme throughout Eriksons work and there are several reasons why it assumes so much importance for Erikson, one of which is its significance in modern life. According to Erikson the nature of society will reflect in the psychological problems characteristically experienced by the members of that society (Stevens 1983 p59). In todays society, Erikson claims, identity confusion is the most important issue. According to Erikson, during his identity versus identity confusion stage, adolescents are faced with finding out who they are and where they are going in life. Many new roles are bein...
