Question

What is a life review? How might a life review be related to achieving integrity as Erikson defined it (more about integrity versus despair on Imagine you are in late adulthood. If you were engaging in a life review, what kinds of things would you want to be able to say about the life you have led?

Answer 1

Life review is a look back into our own life, our experiences in the past, conneccting those experiences to the present as well anticipating certain events in the future. Life review is possible when you have a self identity, self disclosure and enlightenment of your very purpose of existence.

Erikson proposed the psychoanalytical theory which comprises of eight stages of development from infancy to adulthood, in which he states about integrity versus despair. Integrity arises when a person is successful, is satisfied with his accomplishments and is ready to embrace mortality. On the other hand despair happens when a person is not happy, when he take into account his accomplishments, experiences feel of guilt and low esteem.

Considering my life review to achieving integrity, I have had multiple experiences which have helped me to evolve, the evolution in my thinking, my values and attitude. As I grew older I tried to view the world from the other side, everytime trying to explore which was hidden. Happienss and intergrity depends on what makes you happy or from the very prespective of being sucess. I have always tried to find happiness in whatever I do and I belive it is the secret of my integrity.