Erik Erikson - developmental psychology theorist?

Question

His eight-stage theory is separated by age groups that change according to social standards of the time.

My question is, does his theory also depend on the culture it describes? I can relate to it only because I come from the United States but I wonder how it applies to other cultures so well. How much of it do you think is biologically determined and how much of it is socially influenced?

I know this question doesn't have an exact answer yet but I want to know some of your opinions.

Answer 1

Erik Erikson's eighth stage was Ego Integrity vs. Despair and is used to describe late adulthood (65-death).

Its the time when late adults reflect on their lives and see if it was a success. For example, if you have a good career, a wide circle of friends and have accomplished your goals you fall under Ego Integrity. However, for Late Adults in Despair, they have failed to accomplish their goals, and find it are sad/depressed.

This is used to describe anyone of any culture. Take for example someone who is living in a 3rd world country and someone living in the united states:

Someone living in Nigeria, at the age of 65, can still be happy and feel accompished in their lives even without going to college or having a 'good' job. Sometimes all they need is the love of their friends and family, the same can be said about the united states. It completly depends on the individual.

Answer 2

Yes it is heavily culturally influenced. All the theories I learned in college about psychology, the older I get and the more I understand other cultures, I see they are almost totally Western thought and so very limited in usefulness.

Answer 3

the place are you getting all that trash which you particularly prefer to have faith? I admit we've a President that's treasonous! He has been charged by using an extremely honorable Naval Officer and Obama refuses to charge him or remark on the charges! that's a bad time while a President provides Russia categorised counsel that no American can see. i could wait and in line with probability a President that help u.s. would be a stable Commander and chief! A Veteran!