Applied developmental theory: An Eriksonian study of Howard Hughes

The current study explored the life of Howard Hughes through the lens of Erik Erikson's theories of development and identity utilizing a psychobiographical research methodology. This study was conducted in order to understand the psychosocial elements that contributed to Howard Hughes's pathology. Erik Erikson's theories were broken down into practical working models that were applied to two biographies of Howard Hughes, which served as the source material for this study. The study revealed that Howard Hughes experienced significant psychosocial conflict at numerous stages throughout his life cycle as well as exhibited signs of identity diffusion. The epigenetic principle was utilized to further analyze the domains of development and identity of Howard Hughes' life within a longitudinal framework. Implications, limitations, and future research directions were also discussed.