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Monday, November 4, 2013

By the Last Quarter, they all apply.



Position First AppearsImmersed in a Basic Conflict

And continues into later years.

Fulcrum on which the Position Balances or Fails to Balance

Infancy (birth to 18 months)

Trust vs. Mistrust

Last Quarter

How much can I trust/how much do I need to mistrust ... my legs to walk, my hands to hold, my fingers to button, my heart to not succumb to leaf-raking in the Fall .... my spouse to hang in there and for either of us not to become rancorously bitter.

Early Childhood (2 to 3 years)

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Last Quarter

How much can I do things for myself or think I need to do things, without help or even feel that "help" is no more to be offered.  Comfortable resolution leads to feelings of autonomy, failure results in feelings of shame and doubt.

Preschool (3 to 5 years)

Initiative vs. Guilt

Last Quarter

How much do I find excuses for not engaging the world. Success in this stage leads to a sense of ongoing meaning and purpose. People who force the issue, end up doing damage and feel guilty.

School Age (6 to 11 years)

Industry vs. Inferiority

Last Quarter

Here, it's easy. It's connected to the previous position. I do better if I feel that my engagement (prev. position) with the world is well done. Indeed, there are lots of ways to get up and go.

Adolescence (12 to 18 years)

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Last Quarter

Am I just a grandpa? a grandma? a pensioner? an old fart? Or do I develop and befriend a sense of who I am. 

Young Adulthood (19 to 40 years)

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Last Quarter

Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation.

Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 years)

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Last Quarter

Adults need to contribute in a manner that outlasts their own too brief stay in Life. By the Last Quarter we've contributed kids (for better or for worse) and whatever we did at work. Success leads to accepting new adventures ... Failure to endless repetition.

Maturity(65 to death)

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

??

(I've never believed that Erikson's last stage added much to the previous ones. Maybe he was thinking: I just gotta hold it, together.



I've been saying for the past couple of years that gettin' on is neither for the feint of heart nor for anyone but the bold to energetically engage. I'm comfortable with the idea that many folk would produce different sets of basic conflicts that follow us through life. I suppose this has the imprint of my own conflicts. How else could it be?

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