According to Erikson, what are the developmental crises faced in adulthood?

Enhance your knowledge for the ETS Major Field Test in Psychology. Study with an array of questions and thorough explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

In Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the developmental crises specifically associated with adulthood are generativity versus stagnation and integrity versus despair.

Generativity versus stagnation occurs during middle adulthood, where the central challenge is to contribute to society and help the next generation through parenting, teaching, or other forms of mentorship. Success in this stage leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in shallow involvement in the world and potential feelings of stagnation.

Integrity versus despair emerges during late adulthood, where individuals reflect on their lives. If they feel a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction regarding their life’s journey, they experience integrity. Conversely, if they look back with regret and experience dissatisfaction, they may face despair.

The other options include crises that occur in earlier stages of development, such as trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, and identity versus role confusion, which are crucial for infancy and childhood but are not the focus during adulthood. Thus, the correct answer specifically reflecting adulthood's challenges aligns with Erikson's framework for this developmental stage.

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