My psychology class is currently studying theories of development and today I came across Erik Erikson's (the parents score ten points for originality) theory of psychosocial development. He proposed that there are eight different age related stages of development and in each stage there is a particular crisis that needs to be resolved.
I thought the most relevant ones were:
12-18 years - identity vs. identity confusion
18-25 years - intimacy vs. isolation
25-65 years - generativity vs. stagnation
65+ years - integrity vs. despair
Essentially he is saying that to have healthy development you need to know who you are, be able to form trusting and loving relationships, then work towards the greater good for your family or others and hopefully come to the end of your life with a feeling of peace that your life was well lived.
The other end of the spectrum is to not know who you are, form shallow and superficial relationships, become bored and too concerned with your own needs, lack personal growth and reach the end of your life with bitter feelings of hopelessness and regret regarding lost opportunities.
The bad news is that Erikson believed if you don't resolve the earlier crises properly then you'll have difficulty with every stage that follows. The good news is that he believed any problems with development could be resolved retroactively.
I find his theory so interesting because I (and I'm sure you) have a strong desire to never get to the age of 80 and look back on life with dissatisfaction. I love that he actually proposes some clear means to help achieve that goal. In particular, it's a refreshing idea that perpetually worrying about your own needs will lead to regret rather than fulfillment.
So lets see if I can aim for that, shall we.
I thought the most relevant ones were:
12-18 years - identity vs. identity confusion
18-25 years - intimacy vs. isolation
25-65 years - generativity vs. stagnation
65+ years - integrity vs. despair
Essentially he is saying that to have healthy development you need to know who you are, be able to form trusting and loving relationships, then work towards the greater good for your family or others and hopefully come to the end of your life with a feeling of peace that your life was well lived.
The other end of the spectrum is to not know who you are, form shallow and superficial relationships, become bored and too concerned with your own needs, lack personal growth and reach the end of your life with bitter feelings of hopelessness and regret regarding lost opportunities.
The bad news is that Erikson believed if you don't resolve the earlier crises properly then you'll have difficulty with every stage that follows. The good news is that he believed any problems with development could be resolved retroactively.
I find his theory so interesting because I (and I'm sure you) have a strong desire to never get to the age of 80 and look back on life with dissatisfaction. I love that he actually proposes some clear means to help achieve that goal. In particular, it's a refreshing idea that perpetually worrying about your own needs will lead to regret rather than fulfillment.
So lets see if I can aim for that, shall we.
I don't know. I don't think I really agree that on one end of the spectrum you live your life a certain way and end up happy, and on the other end you end up regretful.
ReplyDeleteWhat if you live a superifical shallow life, but that's all you want and you're happy to live that way?