Question

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Consider figure the discussion on Erikson’s theory. Erikson’s idea is that we move through several stages throughout life, each characterized by a unique social issue. If we negotiate a particular stage in a healthy way, we will enter the next stage better prepared to do well during that stage. If not, we will enter the next stage with a real disadvantage.

I want to tell you of an episode in my father's life -- this one about the end of it. When my father was dying, he lay in his bed with all of us surrounding him, giving us charges, comforting us and assuring us of who we were. He told my son David, “David, there are many things in this world that have to change. Sometimes it takes just one person to stand and speak with conviction to change the course of events. There will come a time when you have to stand.” My dad just laid it on my son as a charge and gazed hard at him for a few moments. He did it for all of us, different things for each. We stayed with him for days, telling stories and remembering many good things until he was too weak to speak and just smiled and looked steadily at us and squeezed our hands, and finally died.

My father died with what Erickson called integrity. It’s when you gaze backward and say “That was good. I’m glad I was part of that. Life is rich and hard but it was good to have lived and to have loved those people and done those things.” I have known others, and I’m sure you have too, who have died in despair, cursing the world, saying it was all a cruel joke and they wished they’d never lived.

What do you suppose are some of the factors Erikson suggests would lead to someone reaching that state of integrity before they die? As you discuss this, concentrate especially on the preceding two stages of life. That is, what could happen during those preceding two stages that might lead toward integrity in that final stage?

Answer 1

Erickson proposed a psychoanalytic thoery . He has explained the psycho social develpment of an individual from birth to death .

Erikson says the ego develops as it successfully resolves crises that are distinctly social in nature. These involves develpomement of a sense of trust in other people , developing a sense of identity in society, and helping the next generation prepare for the future.

The 8 stages of life development are :

1. Trust vs. Mistrust

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

3. Initiative vs. Guilt

4. competence vs. Inferiority

5. Identity vs. Role confusion

6. Intimacy vs Isolation

7. Generativity vs Stagnation

8. Ego intergrity vs Despair

According to your question , Ego intergrity vs despair occurs in the age older than 65 years and above , They do explore life and try to relax and spend thier lives and they wish for a peace and the eternal satisfaction of life . They have worked all their lives in order to live a successfull life . This is the stage of life in which we think we can reep the fruits of all our accomplishments and can develop intergrity .

Erickson also explains in case of few people , If they dont feel the satisfaction towards thier life, achievements and accomplishments , They are totally dissatisfied with life at this stage which leads to mental trauma, deprssion and hopelessness.

Success in this stage will lead to virtue of wisdom , In which a person is completed satisfied with life and has led life to the fullest and can also accept death with out fears and self actualization also plays a major role .

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