Two Parts Step Psyc 21 City Ccsf Time May Heal W

According to Erikson, older adults face the psychosocial task of integrity versus despair. Integrity, in the context o Erikson’s theory, is not so much a quality of honesty and trustworthiness, but rather it is an ability to integrate one’s history with one’s present circumstances and to feel satisfied or content with the outcome. Researchers have found that older adults do spend time reviewing their lives, trying to find a way to reconcile the events of their lives with the hopes and dreams they may have had during other periods of the lifespan. This process is about making meaning out of one’s life. If an older adult is able to view the past with appreciation and feel content when he or she looks back over his or her life, the individual will likely achieve a sense of integrity and will avoid the opposite pole of despair. Older adults who emerge from a life review feeling discontent with their lives and bitter about lost opportunities or mistakes are vulnerable to despair. Regret is a significant part of the experience of despair.

Most people have some regrets, even those of us not yet in older adulthood. One may look back and wish that one had taken advantage of certain opportunities, spent more time with one’s children, not made that big mistake at work, or told that special person about one’s feelings.

This discussion board assignment on regret has two parts:

~Step One~
Discuss regret by sharing your thoughts about 2-3 things people can do to successfully process or move past their regrets. While personal opinion and experience is fine to share, be sure to also use at least one source to help you write your suggestions, and include your references.

~Step Two~
Once you have written your suggestions for moving past regret, watch the following TEDTalk by Kathryn Schulz. Do not watch the talk before completing step one! Then discuss your reactions to Ms. Schulz’s talk. What do you think about her overall message regarding regret? Does her message have an impact on the way you view regret in general? The way you view any of your own regrets? Why or why not? How does the talk impact your thoughts about the suggestions you shared in step one?