Name: Noelita Tench

Student Identification Number: AC2011394

Course Number and Title: Human Growth and Development 2 – S04V

Assignment Number: Assignment 8

Date of Submission: December 28th ,2023

Part A: Generativity versus Stagnation and Ego-integrity versus Despair

Erik Erikson proposed a theory of psychological development that explains eight

psychological stages that humans go through throughout their lifetime. The final stages

experienced during middle and older adulthood are generativity versus stagnation and integrity

versus despair. Each stage has its unique features and challenges but they both involve reflection

and evaluation on how satisfied or fulfilled an individual is with their life choices and the

contributions they have made in society, and the workplace. In each stage, a conflict is faced that

can produce a positive or a negative outcome.

In the seventh stage, he explains that one positive outcome is care that will be gained if

one experiences generativity. Generativity involves making meaningful contributions to society

and the next generation and making a positive impact on the world. Individuals try to achieve or

experience this by building positive relationships with young persons or the younger generation

through taking care of children, mentoring, volunteering, or just simply being active in the lives

of their grandchildren or young family members. Some may also experience generativity by

striving for professional success, contributing to their field, and engaging in activities or hobbies

that bring gratification. Adults who are not successful in experiencing generativity will feel a

lack of growth and productivity and will be dissatisfied with their lives. This is what Erikson

refers to as stagnation. Individuals who undergo stagnation generally question their purpose or

contributions in the workplace, have difficulty connecting with the younger generation, and are

not interested in engaging in community activities or activities that do not involve work.

In the final stage, the outcome obtained is wisdom which is different from the generativity versus

stagnation stage. If one feels content with their accomplishments, finds satisfaction in the

connections and relationships formed, is accepting of mortality, and achieves a sense of

wholeness and satisfaction with the choices that they have made throughout their life, then that

individual will experience integrity. On the other hand, if one dwells on missed opportunities, is

filled with regret, feels that his or her goals are not yet accomplished, and experiences fear or

anxiety when they think of death or feel lonely then they will experience despair which will

make them feel bitter and regretful.

Apart from the age difference between the generativity versus stagnation stage and the

integrity versus despair stage, there are other key differences. One difference is the review of

life. In the seventh stage, one reviews their achievements, contributions, and personal and

professional growth but in the eighth stage, it is deeper and encompasses one pondering on the

overall meaning of their life. Another difference is their focus or emphasis. In generativity versus

stagnation, the focus is on contributions made in society and how one can have a positive impact

on the younger generation but in integrity versus despair, the focus is on one feeling a sense of

completeness and readiness to accept death as the end of their journey.

Part A: Occurrences that can affect positive or negative outcomes in Erickson's

generativity-versus-stagnation stage.

In Erickson's generativity versus stagnation stage, several factors can determine whether

an individual experiences generativity or stagnation. These factors can result in negative or

positive outcomes. Negative outcomes generally result in stagnation according to Erickson’s

theory. Some negative outcomes include career dissatisfaction, lack of social support, struggles

with work-life balance, inability to adapt to life’s changes, and unfulfilled parenting experiences.

Positive outcomes that can result in generativity are success and satisfaction in one’s career,

volunteering and being an active member of the community, engaging in the mentorship of
young individuals, achieving a balance between work and personal life, and building positive

and healthy family relationships and creating a family where love and support are experienced.

Three proactive changes I can make personally to improve generativity in my lifetime are

ensuring that I become and remain an active member of my community. This will help me

contribute to the growth and development of my community and will allow me to share my skills

and knowledge. Also, I can work towards gaining the required qualifications and skills that are

needed for me to gain success in my career. For example, I will engage in professional

development exercises and seminars that will help me improve in my weak areas and provide me

with an opportunity to be promoted. Another thing that I can do to improve generativity in my

life is to pursue my hobbies and participate in activities that bring joy and fulfilment.

Part B: Physical and cognitive changes that occur in late adulthood.

“As individuals move from middle adulthood to late adulthood, they experience many

changes.” (Feldman, 2019) Some physical changes experienced are a decline in muscle and

strength, changes in balance, joint issues, slower metabolic rate, and weakening of the immune

system. They may also experience sensory changes. Their eyesight, hearing, and taste will

weaken.

Cognitive changes may also be apparent during late adulthood. A decline in memory,

slower cognitive processing speed, and challenges in problem-solving and multitasking are

cognitive changes that are experienced when one is in the late adulthood stage. Despite these

declines, during late adulthood, one may still be able to experience ongoing learning, provide

insight, and give advice and guidance because of accumulated wisdom or knowledge.
Part B: Death and dying and their outcomes and Scenarios.

Death is a natural part of life that occurs or is expected when one reaches the last stage of

their life’s cycle. In Erikson’s stages of psychological development, he explains that death is one

of the issues of concern during the stage of integrity versus despair. (Feldman, 2019) He explains

that when one achieves integrity, it leads to a sense of peace, acceptance of mortality, and a

readiness for the end of life, which is death. However, when despair is experienced, one will be

anxious, nervous, and unprepared to face death or be accepting of it. Individuals who experience

integrity are also better able to cope with death, as opposed to those who experience despair.

Instead of allowing death to cause emotional distress, they are accepting of it and can look at the

positive outcome or results of death. The processes of death and dying can have different

outcomes or scenarios depending on the different paths one might take. Some adults when in late

adulthood are either accepting of death or may experience fear or unreadiness because of their

culture, health and well-being, satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their life’s choices or personal

views on death. “Given that religious teachings regarding the meaning of life and death are quite

diverse. (Feldman, 2019) This explains that there are multiple religious views or understandings

of death and the process of death which can influence how one views death, how ready one feels

about dying, and how one copes with death. For example, in some religions, it is a belief that

right after death people go up to heaven. This belief makes one more accepting or ready for

death. In some cultures, some believe that after death they turn into creatures or their spirits get

to roam the earth.

Part B: Proactive ways I can improve my Cognitive and Physical health in my lifetime.

The way that one takes care of themselves in the early stages of the life cycle can impact

the later stages. Therefore, to ensure that my body is ready for the changes that it will undertake
during my final stages of life, I can improve my physical health by engaging in daily exercise

and maintaining a nutritious diet that includes always being hydrated and getting sufficient rest

regularly. Daily or regular exercise improves the heart which helps decrease the risk of heart

disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension which I will be at risk of getting when I am in my late

adulthood. In addition to that, regular exercise helps with weight management and improves

organ functions in the body. Maintaining a nutritious diet plays a similar role in the body as

exercise. If I maintain a nutritious diet, by avoiding or limiting my intake of fatty, salty, and

unclean foods and ensuring that my body has the minerals and vitamins that it needs, I will

decrease the risk of getting diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases when I

get old. A healthy diet will also ensure that I have an immune system that helps fight diseases

and illnesses. Lastly, getting adequate rest helps with hormone regulation, improving the

immune system and growth and development.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits at a young age or in the early stages of life can

contribute to a reduced risk of cognitive decline in the late stages of life. I can improve my

cognitive health by engaging in activities that stimulate my cognitive function such as engaging

in puzzles, memory exercises, gardening, reading, and learning new skills. Another way that I

can help improve my cognitive health is by constantly being physically active. Active

engagement in physical activities not only improves physical development but also improves

cognitive development. Physical activities help ensure that there is sufficient blood flow to the

brain which helps the brain function at its best which will help with my attention and memory

when I am in the late adulthood stage. A third way I can improve my cognitive health is by

managing my stress levels and finding methods or strategies that will help me cope with stress.

Stress can have harmful effects on the brain such as slowing processing speed, and hindering
effective decision-making and problem solving which are all expected to change during late

adulthood. However, if I improve my cognitive health, I will reduce my risk of experiencing

these changes or facing these changes earlier in life than I should.

References
Feldman, R. S. (2019). Development Across the Life Span (9th ed.). Pearson Education. US:
Pearson Education.