LOOKING BACK

Erik Erikson

On looking further into identity I have come across Erik Erikson. Many of you may be already familiar with Mr Erikson. I was not. I had heard of the concept of identity crisis, and treated it the same contumelious fashion as I had the usual ‘papers out of order crisis’ most of us suffer from time to time. I was not aware of Mr. Erikson’s work in the formulation of the various stages of psychosocial development. It is clear they are worth exploring. 

It would seem that the stage in which identity crisis may occur is called the Identity Cohesion versus Role Confusion stage.

 “During this stage (adolescence), we are faced with physical growth, sexual maturation, and integrating our ideas of ourselves and about what others think of us. We therefore form our self-image and endure the task of resolving the crisis of our basic ego identity. Successful resolution of the crisis depends on one’s progress through previous developmental stages, centring on issues such as trust, autonomy, and initiative.”

Mr. Erikson defines the various stages quite neatly; however, it appears to me that this condition of disorientation and role confusion (as a result of conflicting internal and external experiences, pressures, and expectations producing acute anxiety) can occur at any stage. Indeed, by extension, this state of confusion can occur in any social structure, such as an institution or a corporation; hence the heavy reliance on signs depicting the identity of companies, associations or groups as well as the place in which they are located. This display of identity defines not just the group but its sense of place as well. These outward signs and displays go a long way to preventing identity crises, in that they are guides for anyone observing or reading them, to assist them in focusing on their sense of place and as a result strengthening their sense of identity. It can help bring them back into realising who they think they are. In a sense they act as an anchor, able to steady the ship in a storm.

I also note that the last stage posited by Mr. Erikson is called late adulthood (65 years to death). It is apparently associated with wisdom and the conflict between ‘ego integrity and despair’. Accordingly, “as we grow older and become senior citizens we tend to slow down our productivity and explore life as a retired person. It is during this time that we contemplate our accomplishments and are able to develop integrity if we see ourselves as leading a successful life. If we see our life as unproductive, or feel that we did not accomplish our life goals, we become dissatisfied with life and develop despair, often leading to depression and hopelessness. The final developmental task is retrospection: people look back on their lives and accomplishments. They develop feelings of contentment and integrity if they believe that they have led a happy, productive life. They may instead develop a sense of despair if they look back on a life of disappointments and unachieved goals. This stage can occur out of the sequence when an individual feels they are near the end of their life (such as when receiving a terminal disease diagnosis).”

Having reached the relevant age to qualify for this stage, I am not sure that what Erikson describes is not just another form of identity crisis. Is not ‘ego integrity’ just another phrase for identity? Can one truly say that by the age of 65 or above, one’s identity is so securely defined, that one’s state is being or character is completely sound and undiminished, that we adhere to moral and ethical principles with consistency, that we are firm and steadfast in our adherence to these principles in harmony and compatibility towards others? Do we really contemplate, in the manner described, what we may or may not have accomplished?  I notice we (at least I) do tend to tell and re-tell the various stories of our lives with a degree of nostalgia and hopefully some interest and humour. It’s most likely boring beyond belief and we misguidedly think it good diner conversation; but, it’s the process by which we get to know each other, how we identify ourselves. Is that so bad or am I on the verge of despair? In which case don’t look back. Herewith a couple of guys reminiscing.