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

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?

Integrity and despair are the last of the eight stages of Erickson’s psychosocial development. This is the stage that starts around the age of 65 and continues till a person dies. This is considered by nurses as well as counsellors while they would be caring for the older adults. According to this theory, it is suggested that people move through 8 different stages of development. The basic virtue in the maintenance of integrity is wisdom. What is important is that a person requires to reflect back on their lives. The start of the integrity stage occurs either by retirement, or loss of acquaintances or friends.

According to Erickson, the reflections that a person can make in the late adulthood, depends on the time he has had in the early and middle adulthood. The 6th stage of young adulthood and the 7th stage of middle aged adulthood are the stages of self absorption as well as stagnation, where a person tries to attempt actions such that those actions should be able to make a difference or generate something that might act for the greater good of people. A person who is inactive might feel that their life is meaningless and would have a feeling of despair on their death bed.