Assignment Overview: Erik Erickson was one of the few psychologists to view aging as part of human development. His theory of psychosocial development puts forth that humans go through eight major developmental stages throughout life. The eighth and final stage coincides with late adulthood and is called integrity versus despair whereby the individual questions if they have lived a full and satisfying life.
Instructions:
In your initial post, answer both discussion prompts in 250-300 words. Include supporting evidence from the chapter readings, articles, and resources when creating your initial post and when responding to your peers. Connect your answer with examples from your own observations and thoughts to demonstrate understanding of the material.
Discussion Prompts:
You have a 65-year old patient whose physical health has taken a turn for the worst. By following the doctor's orders, they have a high rate of success to get healthy again, but not at the level that they were used to and cannot continue to keep working. Currently, they feel lost and hopeless. You know that your patient is at the eighth stage of what is called integrity versus despair:
1. How would you help your patient who is struggling at this stage?
2. Do all individuals go through this stage? Why or why not?