Life Span Theory
Life span theory focuses on growth and development. Growth as in change is size and development as in change in complexity and functions of the individual. In this theory there are certain processes involved in development like: physical structure, perception, cognition, emotion, language, relationships, reasoning, and personality. Each one of these processes can have a big impact on the development of a person. This theory has several different typical age related stages including prenatal to late adulthood. Erik Erikson, a student of Freud’s, came up with the Eight Stages of Man. The stages are depicted by age and what we as humans learn throughout life.
Stage one is called: basic trust vs. mistrust. (Birth- 1 year old) …show more content…
When successful a person would feel a sense of industry and competence, but when unsuccessful a person would feel inferiority and inadequacy. Stage 5 is called: identity vs. role confusion. (12-18 years old) This is known an identity crisis that emerges with a struggle to incorporate past and future selves. When a person is successful they develop qualities of loyalty as well as fidelity and when unsuccessful they begin to have a role confusion or identity diffusion. Identity diffusion is the confusion about roles and identity. People who have identity confusion may drift without commitment or goals, apathy about plans, and may have difficulty meeting simple demands. Stage 6 involves intimacy vs. isolation. (Early to late 20’s) In this stage, a person may be involved in interpersonal intimacy. This involves both psychological and sexual motives. When a person is successful they are able to love and give devotion to another being. Isolation, inability to form meaning relationships, self-absorption is a sign of being unsuccessful in this stage. Stage 7 includes generativity vs. stagnation. (Late 20’s-50 years old) This stage includes people having children and a guidance for the next generations along with a positive role in making this world a better place for future generations. While being successful during this stage, a person’s obtains qualities of care and the concern for others. When unsuccessful there is a sense of stagnation or maybe even self-indulgence. Last stage is called: integrity vs. despair. This is when a person goes through a life review and assessment. They focus more on their past and they could be happy or upset with it. If successful, there is a feeling of integrity because there is now an ability to take responsibility for the past and be content with the past also. A person whom is unsuccessful would feel anger toward others but may be
Life span theory focuses on growth and development. Growth as in change is size and development as in change in complexity and functions of the individual. In this theory there are certain processes involved in development like: physical structure, perception, cognition, emotion, language, relationships, reasoning, and personality. Each one of these processes can have a big impact on the development of a person. This theory has several different typical age related stages including prenatal to late adulthood. Erik Erikson, a student of Freud’s, came up with the Eight Stages of Man. The stages are depicted by age and what we as humans learn throughout life.
Stage one is called: basic trust vs. mistrust. (Birth- 1 year old) …show more content…
When successful a person would feel a sense of industry and competence, but when unsuccessful a person would feel inferiority and inadequacy. Stage 5 is called: identity vs. role confusion. (12-18 years old) This is known an identity crisis that emerges with a struggle to incorporate past and future selves. When a person is successful they develop qualities of loyalty as well as fidelity and when unsuccessful they begin to have a role confusion or identity diffusion. Identity diffusion is the confusion about roles and identity. People who have identity confusion may drift without commitment or goals, apathy about plans, and may have difficulty meeting simple demands. Stage 6 involves intimacy vs. isolation. (Early to late 20’s) In this stage, a person may be involved in interpersonal intimacy. This involves both psychological and sexual motives. When a person is successful they are able to love and give devotion to another being. Isolation, inability to form meaning relationships, self-absorption is a sign of being unsuccessful in this stage. Stage 7 includes generativity vs. stagnation. (Late 20’s-50 years old) This stage includes people having children and a guidance for the next generations along with a positive role in making this world a better place for future generations. While being successful during this stage, a person’s obtains qualities of care and the concern for others. When unsuccessful there is a sense of stagnation or maybe even self-indulgence. Last stage is called: integrity vs. despair. This is when a person goes through a life review and assessment. They focus more on their past and they could be happy or upset with it. If successful, there is a feeling of integrity because there is now an ability to take responsibility for the past and be content with the past also. A person whom is unsuccessful would feel anger toward others but may be