Human Development M6.3 D

chapters-7,8,9,10
There is an old saying, that says, “As people age, they become more like themselves.” Knowing what you have learned about the different theories of aging, what kinds of things can you imagine yourself doing to insure ego-integrity and avoid despair (per Erikson’s eighth stage of man)?

Your total response should be at least 250 words and include at least one in-text citation.

Please post a response, and respond thoughtfully to at least one other person’s posting.

ANSWER

Human Development M6.3 D

Erikson’s theory of development shows how people pass through different developmental stages dependent on each other. Each stage’s character traits and psychological strength help people become themselves as they age. As people age, they become more like themselves due to changes in personality and identity. For instance, people become emotionally balanced, better at solving highly emotional problems, and compassionate about their issues.

In the psychological development stages, the final stage is Ego Integrity versus despair. This stage occurs during old age and aims to reflect on life. People tend to reflect back on the undertakings and events of their lives and evaluate whether they are content with their lives and regret what they did or did not (Gilleard, 2020). There are some things that I can focus on to ensure ego-integrity and avoid despair in my life. One of the most important things in life review. Life review offers new insights that help resolve old issues, accept past mistakes, and integrate the past with the current, which boosts the acceptance of the life that one has lived (Tahreen and Shahed, 2014). Starting early is also important in acquiring ego integrity and avoiding despair. Considerably, the things that one does at middle life play a significant role in their happiness and satisfaction as they age. Therefore, it’s important to focus early on things that will support my emotional wellness, such as strengthening relations and community involvement which ensures strong social support and connection.

Seeking meaningful and high-quality relationships is also important in ensuring ego-integrity. This means caring about others and making people in relationships. Reframing how I think about an event can help me improve from the learned experiences rather than focusing on what I could wish to do differently. Ideally, learning to acknowledge helpful and unhelpful thought patterns and reframing them over time helps one feel better and make decisions that will support the general sense of well-being. Practicing gratitude will also help ensure ego-integrity and avoid despair. This entails paying attention to the good things, taking time to reflect upon certain things, and appreciating them. Focusing on the positive aspects of life rather than an excessive emphasis on the negative will increase the feelings of fulfillment, few regrets, and feelings of satisfaction.

References

Gilleard, C. (2020). The final stage of human development? Erikson’s view of integrity and old age. International Journal of Ageing and Later Life, 14(2), 139-162.

Tahreen, S. F., & Shahed, S. (2014). Relationship between ego integrity, despair, social support, and health-related quality of life. Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 12(1), 26.