Adulthood Stages by Erik Erikson - Report Example

ADULTHOOD DEVELOPMENT Introduction Adult development hold within the changes that take place in biological,psychological, and interpersonal categories of human life since the end of adolescence until death. These changes may be slow or fast, and can show constructive, negative, or no change from preceding stages of functioning. (Anett J.J 2000) Changes take place at the cellular stage and are partly explained by biological theories of adult maturity and eventual development into old age. Biological changes in this case, can be seen to influence psychological and interpersonal or social developmental changes. Stage theories are always used to explain these developmental stages. Stage theories center on a specific developmental task, to be attained at each age. Erik and Carl proposed stage theories that deal with human development that encompass the whole life span are seen as aspects that are likely to change albeit in the later stages of life. The propositions emphasized the potential for constructive change very late in life. Adulthood in many applications has socio-cultural implications and definitions. In legal perspectives, an adult is that person who has attained the age at which they are considered accountable for their actions, and thus legally responsible for them. This age in most countries is taken as eighteen years and the reason for this is that in a majority of laws, the variation is insignificancy. In some laws, the range of adulthood is between the established sixteen years to 21 years. In the socio-cultural definition of being mature or the concept of adulthood is grounded on what a culture normatively considers as being the allowed criteria for adulthood, which in turn affects the meaning of adulthood of individuals within that society. This may or sometimes may not correspond with the legal explanations. Present views on adult development in late life, center on the concept of successful aging. Successful aging is described as or implied by the ability of an individual to care for their physical health and the minimization of the ability to lose major functions (Watson M. & Stonebarger 2002). Whereas psychosocial theories hypothesize that capitalizing upon social and related resources that are used in the process, is key to aging without any challenges. Jeanne Louise Calment opines that successful aging as the longevity of living, passing away at the age of 122. Her long life can be due to her genetics (which is explained in the study by the fact that her parents lived more than 80 years) and her active lifestyle and hopeful mindset. She enjoyed many hobbies and physical actions and believed that laughter contributed to her long life. She not only added olive oil to her food but also applied it onto her skin, which she believed too contributed to her long life and young-looking appearance (Gott, Hinchliff & Galena 2004). Erik Erikson developed stages of ego development which covered up through childhood, adolescence, and lastly adulthood. He was skilled in psychoanalysis and was greatly influenced by Freud, but contrasting to Freud, Erikson believed that social relations are essential to the psychosocial development attained by individuals. His stage theory is made up of 8 stages in life. From the birth to old age, each of these is represented by a particular developmental duty (Watson M. & Stonebarger 2002). Through each stage, one developmental task is prevailing, but may be carried further into later stages. According to the study, individuals may encounter tension when going through new stages of development, and search for equilibrium within each stage (Erickson E. 1996). But for this study, we shall consider the last three stages since they cover our topic of study which involve the development adults undergo The stage Psychosocial Crisis Stage in life age range and other descriptions Generativity against Stagnation Adulthood/ maturity 30-65, middle age, parenting Integrity against misery Mature adult 50+, old age, grandparents closeness against Isolation Adults just coming of age 18-40, courting, early parenthood Love: intimacy vs. isolation (young adults, 20–24, or 20–39 years) At about the age of 30, the Intimacy vs. Isolation is emphasized. Young adults are still enthusiastic to merge their desired relation with persons around Erikson (1996) believes we are sometimes lonely as a result of intimacy. We are afraid of being turned down, such as being rejected by our partners or just breaking up with us. We are used to pain and so to some of us, being turned down is so hurting that our egos cannot put up with it. Once people have recognized their identities, they are prepared to create relations that last with others in the society. They become capable of creating intimate, reciprocal relationships through aspects like friendships or marriage and with ease make the compromises that such associations necessitate. If people cannot shape these warm relationships, perhaps as of their desires, a sense of isolation may effect, exciting feelings of darkness and sorrow.(Orlofsky, Marcia & Lesser 1973). Care: generativity against stagnation Generativity is the concern of directing and taking through the subsequent generation. Socially-valued work and disciplines are the languages of generativity. The adult period of generativity has wide application to family, relationships, occupation, and society (Slater, 2003). During middle age, the primary developmental duty is to make contributions to society and helping to lead the prospect generations. A sense of generativity comes in through a person’s contribution top societal building. This is a sense of productivity together with accomplishment- results. In contrast, someone who is self-centered and unable or reluctant to help a society creates stagnation, dissatisfaction with the relatives and short productivity. Fundamental responsibilities of middle adulthood Show love throughout more than to sexual contacts. Uphold healthy life patterns. Create a sense of union with the mate. Help in growing and grown kids to be accountable adults. Surrender central role in lives of full-grown children. Acknowledge childrens mates and friends. Make a comfortable home. Be proud of activities of self and mate or spouse. Reverse the roles with aging parents. Attain established, civic and social task. Adapt to physical changes of middle age. Use free time industriously. Wisdom: ego integrity vs. despair, (concluding adulthood, 65 –until death) As we grow older and turn into senior people, we tend to retard our efficiency and explore life as a retired individual. It is through this time that we reflect our undertakings and can develop integrity if we see ourselves as living a successful life. If we see our lives as unproductive, we become discontented with life and develop despondency, often leading to melancholy and hopelessness (Fishman S. 1992). The concluding developmental task is retrospection: people look back onto their lives and undertakings. They develop feelings of being satisfied and integrity if they think that they have lived a happy, fruitful life. They may as well as develop a sense of desolation or hopelessness if they look back into a life of disappointments in goals. This stage can take place out of the succession when a person feels they are about to the end of their days (like when going through a terminal disease diagnosis). (Neugerten B. L 1974) Psychological impact of key events during adulthood The key events in adulthood include marriage, divorce, parenthood, and widowhood. They have effects on the adults, and they are discussed below. Marriages in Later Life Older married people have many opportunities to enjoy their lives and grow together. For instance, retirement experience and increased leisure and travel time may be richer if shared. Added to that, partners offer extraordinary company and support when health and mobility depreciate and a partner needs support. Married partners with vital relationships are most likely to enjoy constant, positive relations within marriage. (Salkind N.J 1985)Those who enjoy spending time as one and can confide in each other always uphold a close and giving relationship as they grow old. However, those couples who are not pleased in the previous years of their marriage have the tendency to live a negative later life. Their relationships are complicated, their communication conflictual and fruitless. Divorce and Remarriage Divorce at any moment in life can be hurting. It tears apart a cherished relationship that has been developed over many years. The results thrust the person into an autonomous lifestyle, and consequence to theatrical changes in even the simplest of daily commonly done aticvities. For the aged, divorce is the conclusion of many years of marriage, and the makeup process can be particularly hard. Divorced older people tend to lack simplicity accepting themselves, and are negative about the future. Some studies illustrate that later life divorce have an effect on social support networks. Divorce degrades a persons social affiliations and may result in social isolation and solitude. While separated women uphold their family ties, divorced men seem to do away with both family and friends. Divorced persons endure financial changes that limit their lifestyles all through their older years. Divorced couples tend to have significantly low average earnings than married individuals, and are less capable to assist their children fiscally. In spite of these difficulties, chances are that divorce is likely to create a level of change in the lives of individuals. If constructive modifications to divorce are to be done, individuals must come to an end their emotional bonds, form a new identity, and develop consistent actions that do not engage the previous partner. (Fishman S. 1992) Widowhood Widowhood comes in with many changes in physical and emotional health, finances, and social support. These changes always last years after the death of a partner. Being widowed in most instances implies a significant decline in income from the death of a partner. Over time, however, the financial situation usually improves. The improvements are especially for the individuals in a marriage and are in their middle ages. Physical and emotional healths are aspects affected by the death of a partner. Recently widowed people show additional health problems than those who are connubial. They also show signs that are features of depression, such as sorrow, tearfulness, sleeplessness, and weight and appetite loss. Men and women endure similar emotional difficulties after the loss of a partner. As time goes, however, they change, and the negative effects of the loss diminish.(Stroebe W & Stroebe M 1987) Bibliography ARNETT, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American psychologist, 55(5), 469. ERIKSON, E. (1966). Eight ages of man. Klassiekers van de kinder-en jeugdpsychiatrie II, 258. FISHMAN, S. (1992). Relationships among an older adults life review, ego integrity, and death anxiety. International Psychogeriatrics, 4(04), 267-277. GOTT, M., HINCHLIFF, S., & GALENA, E. (2004). General practitioner attitudes to discussing sexual health issues with older people. Social science & medicine, 58(11), 2093-2103. NEUGARTEN, B. L. (1974). Age groups in American society and the rise of the young-old. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 415(1), 187-198. ORLOFSKY, J. L., MARCIA, J. E. & LESSER, I. M. (1973). Ego identity status and the intimacy versus isolation crisis of young adulthood. Journal of personality and social psychology, 27(2), 211. SALKIND, N. J. (1985). Theories of human development. John Wiley & Sons Inc. SLATER, C. L. (2003). Generativity versus stagnation: An elaboration of Eriksons adult stage of human development. Journal of Adult Development, 10(1), 53-65. STROEBE, W., & STROEBE, M. S. (1987). Bereavement and health: The psychological and physical consequences of partner loss. Cambridge University Press. WATSON, M. W., STONEBARGER, T., & DUNTON, T. (2002). 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