Erik Erikson’s ideas of Sioux Indians and Gandhi

Erik Erikson’s ideas of Sioux Indians and Gandhi

Erik Erikson believed that the ego exists from birth and that behavior is not totally defensive. Based in part on his study of Sioux Indians on a reservation, Erikson became aware of the massive influence of culture on behavior and placed more emphasis on the external world, such as depression and wars. He felt the course of development is determined by the interaction of the body (genetic biological programming), mind (psychological), and cultural (ethos) influences. (Arlene F. Harder)

Naturally, Gandhi as part of Sioux Indians tribe had a profuse knowledge in the colonial system type of the government. Gandhi starts as a leader of industrial unit in Ahmadabed and this would be his first step in innovating an aggressive non-violence protest against the regime of British colonialism.

As Gandhi’s protest continue to spread throughout India – and soon India becomes the motherland of large-scale civil disobedience.