Question

Forty-year-old Dave has recently begun comparing his accomplishments to the goals he set for himself upon graduation from college. Dave is going through

a) A midlife crisis
b) Identity diffusion
c) Generativity vs. stagnation
d) The denial stage of death and dying

Answer 1

Dave, in his forties, is reflecting on his life's accomplishments in relation to his goals, an experience typical of the generativity versus stagnation stage of Erikson's psychosocial development theory during middle adulthood.

Step-by-step explanation:

Forty-year-old Dave is evaluating his accomplishments against his early ambitions, which is a common behavior during middle adulthood. This period ranges from the mid-30s to mid-60s and is outlined by Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. The specific stage Dave is experiencing is known as generativity versus stagnation, where adults work to establish their legacy and contribute to the next generation.

Successful navigation through this stage results in a feeling of productivity and accomplishment, whereas failure to achieve generativity can result in stagnation and a sense of unfulfillment. Based on the information and Dave's age and behavior, he is not undergoing a midlife crisis, identity diffusion, or the denial stage of death and dying. Instead, he is involved in the process concerning his life's contribution, which aligns with Erikson's generativity vs. stagnation stage.