Reflect on what you have learned about Erik Erikson.
The final stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development of maturity and old age, is marked by Ego Integrity versus Despair. According to Erikson, we evaluate and examine our whole life to either have a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction or feel we are failures in life. We possess ego integrity when we accept our place in life and our past.
From what you have learned about Erikson, do you think you have reached “maturity” or (deep breath) “old age”? If you have, how does this Eriksonian stage apply to you? If you are not there yet, do you have any idea what that might be like for you? You may also know some friends or relatives who are at this mature stage of life. Would you care to comment on your observations about them?