Writing Advice

Erikson’s Ego Integrity versus Despair

Woohoo!  We’ve made it to the final stage in Erikson’s psychosocial development theory.  This is the stage of ego integrity versus despair.  I know, sounds depressing, but there is hope.  I promise. Ego Integrity This is from about 60-65 years old until the end of life.  What is the big milestone that happens at this… Continue reading Erikson’s Ego Integrity versus Despair

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Erikson’s Generativity versus Stagnation

Okay.  So I'm a day late with this.  But, I got it done.  Anyways, here's the next piece on applying Erikson's theory to character development. We are on to firm footing in adulthood.  This is the second to last stage in Erikson’s Psychosocial Developmental Theory. In middle adulthood, roughly ages 35-60, people hit a stage… Continue reading Erikson’s Generativity versus Stagnation

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Erikson’s Intimacy versus Isolation

We’re getting down to the end.  People often think of this stage as marking the entrance to adulthood though this has changed some in recent generations.  In intimacy versus isolation, young adults, ages 18-35, are finding intimate partners and significant relationships outside of their families of origin.  These form the basis of an adult social… Continue reading Erikson’s Intimacy versus Isolation

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Erikson’s Industry versus Inferiority

On to our next stage of development.  In this stage, the big event going on is school.  Starting around age five, kids shift from a primarily fun oriented and caregiver oriented world into a world where peers start to matter and their work takes on meaning.  In this stage, kids ages five to eleven are… Continue reading Erikson’s Industry versus Inferiority

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Erikson’s Initiative Versus Guilt

I'm a little late with this, but better late than never.  Here's this week's Writer's Wednesday post. We’re moving on to the next stage in Erikson’s developmental theory.  Initiative versus guilt.  This is what kids ages three to five (or so) are working on.  It is an extension of the terrible twos.  Kids entering this… Continue reading Erikson’s Initiative Versus Guilt