Question

give examples of how each of the 3 theories, Erikson, Peck, and Levinson, can be applied to human behavior to explain issues that occur in young adulthood and middle adulthood and the transitions between these two life stages.

Answer 1

• Erikson's theory:-
• Intimacy versus isolation is the sixth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. This stage takes place during young adulthood between the ages of approximately 18 to 40 yrs.
• During this period, the major conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people.During this period, young adults begin to share their life more intimately with others. They explore relationships leading toward longer-term commitments with someone other than a family member.
• Successful completion of this stage can result in happy relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a relationship.Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of love.
• For example, a guy who is well settled in his career,is earning enough,has a job which he always wanted,provides financial security to his family;the next step for him to be to seek companionship by having a partner in life.It could be a girlfriend and eventualy could culminate into marriage.Since he is secure in his professional life,it is more likely for him to develop a long committed relationship.
• On the other hand,someone who enters adulthood,with confusion regaridng where life is going,he has still not found a purpose in life,might be doing a job which he doesnt like,might not be earning as much as he wants,he is stil confused about his goals,cannot possibly commit to a relationship or marriage.It is more likely,that the marriage wont last or it would be not a happy since professionally he has not been able to do anything.Isolation can take place,even in a relationship.
• Generativity versus stagnation is the seventh of eight stages of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. This stage takes place during during middle adulthood (ages 40 to 65 yrs).People experience a need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often having mentees or creating positive changes that will benefit other people.
• People give back to society through raising their children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in community activities and organizations. Through generativity older adults develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture.
• Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world.By failing to find a way to contribute, we become stagnant and feel unproductive. These individuals may feel disconnected or uninvolved with their community and with society as a whole. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of care.
• For example,my parents are in middle age now,and finally they have taken out time for themselves to do things which they love.They are traveling together,my mother has joined piano classes since she was always passionate about it,they both have an NGO-oldage home,which takes care of older adults whose children have left them.Apart from their work,they are now engaged in social work which they always had an interest in,this keeps them busy and also meet new people.They go for get togethers with the new friends that they have made.They have definitely not stagnated and are keeping themselves healthy physically and mentally.
• Due to time limit,remaining can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation