Previously Published in Examiner
Part 8 of the Human Personality Development Series
The last three stages of personality development according to Erik Erikson
Young Adulthood from 19 – 40 years of age
The conflict is isolation versus relationships
In this stage the key factor is relationships and adults of this age group can either find themselves unable to make good relationships with others and therefore isolate themselves from others, or they can enjoy healthy relationships and develop the intimacy required for marriage and child rearing.
Middle Adulthood from 40 – 65 years of age
The conflict is generativity versus stagnation
People of this age group are creative and want to do be successful in their life’s accomplishments. They raise children, have a strong a work ethic, and want to do something to make their mark on humanity; be it big or small. When their efforts are thwarted along the way, they become depressed. They stagnate, they stop reaching for success and consider themselves as failures.
Maturity onto the end of life – 65 years of age and older
The conflict here is ego integrity versus despair
It is important for seniors to look back on their life and feel happy about their accomplishments. Good feelings about who they are and what they have done leads to a healthy ego while bad feelings leads to despair and depression.
Beyond the psychoanalysts and their theories
This examiner concentrated on the first psychoanalytical theories of personalty. Of course there are many more modern theories and you can see how both biology and the environment play a role in human personality. To go through them all would be quite a feat and beyond the scope of a series. However, there are college and University courses in Montreal and elsewhere that are devoted to the subject of personality development. This examiner has already covered personality theories in past articles and will continue to post more theories in the future. No one article can embrace the vast knowledge and research on the subject.
To be continued
Montreal psychologist and mental health center
Lisa Santa-Maria Barbagallo
Tel: 514.965.5472
Email: lisa@lisasmb.com
Queen Elizabeth Health Complex
2100 Marlowe
Montréal, QC H4A 3L6
Sources:
http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/ss/psychosexualdev.htm
http://www.learning-theories.com/eriksons-stages-of-development.html
