Chapter 18 Flashcards
The crisis in old age
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Feeling satisfied vs. dissatisfied with life achievements
Fearing limited time left
self-worth beyond career
Ego differentiation
emphasizing psychological strengths
Body transcendence
facing death and helping younger folk
Ego transcendence
Joan Erikson
These attainments = Gerotranscendence
A final psychosocial stage
Inner calm, contentment, and reflection
Gerotranscendence
Relationship changes in late adulthood
Marital satisfaction peaks
Less stress, more shared leisure time, more positive
communication
Siblings communicate often
Friendships: Intimacy and companionship
Social interaction ↓ b/c of mutual
withdrawal of society and older person,
who is nearing death
Disengagement Theory
Older people are more selective of
their social networks – they look for
quality and emotionally fulfilling
relationships
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
