ng of a period of time. Adults require a longer period to learn the new language because it contradicts what has been reinforced to them for years. In old age, new experiences have little to no effect on a person’s fully developed, complex core personality. There is usually a period of review of one’s overall life. According to Erikson, it can be looked at in one of two ways, either with integrity or with despair. The question is asked, “If I had another chance, would I live my life the same way?” If you look back and declare your life satisfactory or better, you have achieved integrity. If you fail to achieve this, and cannot emotionally “own” your life when it is too late to change it, you will fall into despair. With the sense of integrity comes wisdom; despair brings only disdain. Summary In review, the assumptions made in this personal theory of human development were that human beings do have free will, however, the choices made are highly influenced by inherited basic needs, environment, and learned behaviors; irrational impulses are the primary bases for choices; human nature is neither good nor evil, but instead based on basic needs, environment, and learned behaviors, not morality; and personality is the product of both heredity and environment. The individual has a core personality that is made up of the physical attributes one inherits from his or her parents and inherited basic needs. These needs include physiological needs, safety needs, the need for relationships, and curiosity. Throughout life, different experiences and learned behaviors contribute to make the core personality grow and become more complex. These experiences come from the environment the individual is surrounded by, including different social groups (families, friends, financial classes, and religions) and geographical location (nationality, customs, and physical environment), and from changes in the basic needs of the ...
