What evidence is there that midlife crises do or do not exist? ...

[sheilaspns]

What evidence is there that midlife crises do or do not exist?
 
  ANSWER:

Question 2

What does Logan mean by saying that Erikson's theory is a cycle that is repeated?
 
  ANSWER:

[Jevvish]

Answer to Question 1

Levinson reported that the men in his studies experienced great emotional turmoil akin to depression during the midlife years. The mass media popularized the idea of a midlife crisis. However, the body of research finds no support for a universal experience of a midlife crisis. It may be that those experiencing such a crisis may be dealing with general problems associated with psychopathology. Studies of women have also failed to find a universal experience of a midlife crisis. It appears that midlife is not a more difficult time period than any other in the life span. Just as with other stages, it has its own unique challenges. The midlife crisis seems to be a cultural invention in the United States. Crises in other cultures are tied more to role relations and life transitions.

Answer to Question 2

The components of trust, achievement, and wholeness are themes that run throughout Erikson's theory. They not only appear once; each appears more than once, so the cycle repeats. For example, the concept of trust is represented not just in the first two of Erikson's stages (trust versus mistrust and autonomy versus shame and doubt) but also later in intimacy versus isolation when we seek a person we can trust to develop a close emotional bond with. The concept of achievement is found in the childhood stages of initiative versus guilt and in industry versus inferiority. In adulthood, it can be seen in generativity versus stagnation. Finally, the concept of wholeness is represented in adolescence in identity versus confusion and in old age in integrity versus despair.

[sheilaspns]

Thanks

[Jevvish]

Welcome