Stages of adulthood
The noted psychiatrist Erik Erikson organized the human lifespan into eight developmental stages that extend from birth to death. Since adulthood covers a span of many years, Erikson divided the stages of adulthood into the experiences of young adults, middle aged adults, and older adults. For each stage, he identified a psychosocial struggle between a desirable outcome and an undesirable outcome.
In Stage Six, Young Adulthood, roughly ages 18 to 35, the ego development outcome is either Intimacy and Solidarity, or it is Isolation. Following closely on the completion of adolescence, when independence is established, the outcome here depends on how well the individual acquires the basic strengths of affiliation and love.
In Stage Seven, Middle Adulthood, roughly ages 35 to 55 or 65, the ego development outcome is either Generativity or Self-absorption and Stagnation. In midlife, when our resources and social power are usually at their peak, we are called upon to apply these to the betterment of others. We take responsibility, and we sacrifice our convenience, for the the wellbeing and progress of our families, our communities, and our world. We develop the basic strengths of Production and Care.
In Stage Eight, Late Adulthood ages 55 or 65 to death, Erikson identified the ego development outcome as either Ego Integrity or Ego Despair. At this stage, the individual looks back on their life and sees both happy and unhappy times, commendable and uncommendable actions, desirable and regretable outcomes. They then conclude either that it is OK that the past was as it was, and the person can hold their head up with pride and contentment, or that it is NOT OK that the past was as it was. In this case, the person the either blames themselves for this failure, and gets depressed, or blames others, and shows chronic anger and bitter resentment. The desired basic strength is Wisdom.
While Erikson's framework has since been joined by other theories and stage models of adult development, it remains a useful and widely respected tool which offers many insights.
Dr. Chafetz believes strongly, as did Erikson, that development is a lifelong project. Each person's personal, lifelong psychological developmental journey is a magnificent, profoundly meaningful project, worthy of the most epic movie. It has drama, irony, crisis, and shining moments of triumph. We all learn our way through life.
In Stage Six, Young Adulthood, roughly ages 18 to 35, the ego development outcome is either Intimacy and Solidarity, or it is Isolation. Following closely on the completion of adolescence, when independence is established, the outcome here depends on how well the individual acquires the basic strengths of affiliation and love.
In Stage Seven, Middle Adulthood, roughly ages 35 to 55 or 65, the ego development outcome is either Generativity or Self-absorption and Stagnation. In midlife, when our resources and social power are usually at their peak, we are called upon to apply these to the betterment of others. We take responsibility, and we sacrifice our convenience, for the the wellbeing and progress of our families, our communities, and our world. We develop the basic strengths of Production and Care.
In Stage Eight, Late Adulthood ages 55 or 65 to death, Erikson identified the ego development outcome as either Ego Integrity or Ego Despair. At this stage, the individual looks back on their life and sees both happy and unhappy times, commendable and uncommendable actions, desirable and regretable outcomes. They then conclude either that it is OK that the past was as it was, and the person can hold their head up with pride and contentment, or that it is NOT OK that the past was as it was. In this case, the person the either blames themselves for this failure, and gets depressed, or blames others, and shows chronic anger and bitter resentment. The desired basic strength is Wisdom.
While Erikson's framework has since been joined by other theories and stage models of adult development, it remains a useful and widely respected tool which offers many insights.
Dr. Chafetz believes strongly, as did Erikson, that development is a lifelong project. Each person's personal, lifelong psychological developmental journey is a magnificent, profoundly meaningful project, worthy of the most epic movie. It has drama, irony, crisis, and shining moments of triumph. We all learn our way through life.
