How do you cite a theory within the text of your paper? For example, in the sentence, " ...being trained in Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development can aid teachers..."

Question

anonymous · Answer

You do not need to cite it unless " ...being trained in Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development can aid teachers..." is a direct quotation from another work. However, it's possible that your reader may not be familiar with Erikson's theory, so you may want to describe it.

jagatuba · Answer

It must also be cited, even if it is not a direct quotation if the sentence continues on to express something that is not your own idea.

. . . being trained in Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development can aid teachers in facilitating the favorable outcomes in conflicts that Erikson believes to be essential to early childhood development.

That needs to be cited.