Erik Erickson Research Paper

The Life Cycle Completed The last book Erik Erickson wrote Life Cycle Completed, where the nine stages life found. Erickson being the age of eighty years old not concedes his elderly stage. Even while writing books about aging he never took claim to his maturity. Reaching old adulthood age of ninety-one, reminiscing about life with his wife of sixty-four years of marriage. He needed hip surgery after recovery Joan remarks Erik “was neither depressed nor bewildered, but remained consistently observing and quietly appreciative of his caretakers.” (pg4) Erik and Joan both are reaching the stage of older adulthood approving, “our attempt to complete the life cycle in our lifetime seem indeed appropriate and justifiable.” (pg. 5) Being the last life cycle virtue “wisdom and integrity” as the vigors of elder. The Implication of “Wisdom” the small root is Veda “to see, to know.” The Vedas integrate the everlasting pursuit of vision, perceptive and wisdom. A Suggestion of “Integrity” is a root of “tact” in which humans rely on contact. Without contact with each other human growth doesn’t

The human body doesn’t function the same way it did when they were in their sixties. Independence is taking away now living with family members. According to Erickson, “observing the life cycle stages are most often presented with synoptic quotient mentioned first then dystonic second element.” The following points below explain the reversal of the life cycle meanings.

• “Basic Mistrust vs. Trust: Hope – Elders are forced to mistrust their capabilities

• Shame and Doubt vs. Autonomy: Will- Lack of self-confidence that ends in shame and doubt in their capabilities

• Guilt vs. Initiative: Purpose-Guilt raises its ugly head when an elder is too bent in carrying out some project that seems utterly satisfying and appealing –but only