Final answer:
Conflicting desires for connection and independence in a relationship lead to the connection-autonomy dialectic. Cognitive dissonance causes psychological discomfort by disrupting consistency. In later life, Erikson's stages suggest older adults struggle with despair to achieve integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conflicting desires for connection and independence in an interpersonal relationship lead to the connection-autonomy dialectic. This concept describes the tension between the desire for close bonds with others and the need for personal autonomy. The dialectic refers to the push-pull dynamic present in relationships, where individuals seek togetherness with their partners or social groups while also striving to maintain their independence and personal identity.
Cognitive dissonance, another important concept in psychology, causes discomfort because it disrupts our sense of consistency. Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort that arises when there is a conflict between a person's behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs and their positive self-perception. Feeling inconsistent can create an uneasy psychological state, prompting individuals to adjust their opinions, beliefs, or behaviors to alleviate this tension.
In Erikson's developmental stages, older people struggle with overcoming despair to achieve integrity. This represents the conflict in the later stages of life where individuals reflect on their life, seeking to understand and accept their experiences, and ultimately find a sense of fulfillment and coherence in their identity and life's work.