Erik EriksonStages of Adolescence and Adulthood

Psychosocial Stages of Development

• At each stage a person must meet and resolve a particular “crisis”.

• The first four stages highlight childhood.• Stage five is adolescence.• The last three stages focus on adulthood.

STAGE FIVE - Adolescence

• Approximate Age: 12-19 years• The crisis: Identity vs. Role Confusion• Goal: Clear sense of self identity

Major Task of Adolescence• The adolescent tries to develop

her own separate IDENTITY while fitting in with her friends.

• Those who do not achieve their own identities enter adulthood confused about their goals, values, and career possibilities.

4 Possible States of AdolescenceNAME OF STATE MAIN CHARACTERISTIC

Moratorium questioning everything, but no final commitment at this time

Foreclosure Strong commitment without questioning

Diffusion No commitment , no questioning . . . Just drifting along with crowd

Achievement Ready to make commitments because questions have been asked and answered

STAGE SIX: Young Adulthood

• Approximate Age: 20 – 35 years• The crisis: Intimacy vs. Isolation• Goal: Commitment

Characteristics of Young Adulthood

• If secure in his own identity, he can proceed to an intimate partnership in which he makes compromises, is open and vulnerable to another person.

• The isolated person may have many relationships, but always avoids true closeness.

Young Adulthood (continued)

• The goal of commitment is to . . .?– Career– Marriage– Children– Home Mortgage– Religion– Hobbies

STAGE SEVEN: Middle Adulthood

• Approximate Age: 36 – 60 years• The crisis:

Generativity vs. Stagnation• Goal: Productivity

Characteristics of Middle Adulthood

• Generativity involves a productive life that will serve as an example to the next generation

• Serving the future generation by:– Coaching youth athletic teams– Paying for your college education!– Volunteer work

Stagnation in Middle Adulthood

• Stagnation refers to adults who are self absorbed and deny the aging process by concentrating solely on material pleasures and recapturing youth.

STAGE EIGHT: Late Adulthood

• Approximate Age: Retirement +• The Crisis: Integrity vs. Despair• Goal: Completeness

Characteristics of Late Adulthood

• Some face their later years with nothing but fear and regrets.

• Others look back with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment while remaining actively involved in life and young at heart.

Ageism

AgeismIn this public service announcement from Ireland, older people are shown with negative attributes across their faces, while young people are shown in color and given names. Ageism is a devaluation of and hostility towards older adults.

What different forms can ageism take? What can be done to combat ageism?

What's Funny?

Based on the way the study was conducted and the findings they present, do you agree with the researchers conclusions? What other explanations might there be for the findings?

Remember WhenThe beginning of the song addresses starting their relationship when they met, were married, became parents, etc. This is a great example of looking back upon a lifetime of memories, and evaluating it. It is pretty clear that these people would be closer to “integrity,” viewing their time together as positive as reflected in the “do it all again” lyric. How does the man look? Is he feeling despair? The visuals seem to contrast somewhat with the lyrics, as he seems depressed…

Death: An ending or a transition?

1. Define “death”2. Do you believe in an “afterlife” of some kind? Yes, no, maybe?

Why or why not? If you answered yes or maybe: what can/could the afterlife be like, and what do you need to do in your earthy life to get there?

3. After death, what are some purposes of having a funeral?4. How does your family plan a funeral to meet these purposes?

What are some of the rituals used in dealing with death?5. At what age should children be allowed or encouraged to attend

funerals? What could be some of the benefits or harms? Explain.6. If you could know the exact month, day, and, year of your death,

would you want to know? Why or why not?

The End