3 Generations Project
JD Henderson
1030-1Y7

Introduction: For this assignment, I interviewed three individuals of different ages, asking them five of the same questions in an attempt to classify them within Erickson’s Stages of Psychological Development. My first subject, Miss Delightful, was a lively six year old girl that loved to talk. I went to her house where we had met at several different grown-up functions prior to the interview, and there we proceeded to talk for 45 minutes. My second subject was my thirty-two year old buddy, Big Red. We met three years ago on the Ocoee River when I moved back to town. I interviewed him at my house for about ten minutes. My third subject was my seventy-nine year old Grandmother: sweet, always perfect hair, and willing to give you good words of encouragement and advice Grandmother. At my grandparents’ home we had coffee and cake while I spent a half hour listening to sound words of wisdom.
Interview #1 “Miss. Delightful, where do you see yourself in 10 years?” Her response, “I see myself being able to say all my ABC’s and being able to play a whole song on the piano.” Then I asked, “So what is a good age to get married?” She replied, “At the age of 10.” Next I asked, “Who is your hero/who do you look up to the most?” With her mom ten feet away, she stated, “DADDY.” Then I proceeded to ask, “How are boys and girls different?” She replied, “Because their birthdays are different, they get different stuff.” Then I asked, “What are three words that best describe you?” Miss Delightful was confused by the question, so I gave an example. I said, “I would say that I am nice, handsome…” She suddenly stopped me and said, “That’s very nice, but I don’t think you are the right person for me.” Rephrased again, this time she said, “I’m really pretty, because my daddy calls me baby girl and my mommy calls me pumpkin and princess.”

Interview #2 “So Big Red, where do you see yourself in 10 years?” He replied, “ I’m happy, I see myself living in Cleveland, having a house, still working as a fireman, maybe married, but definitely no kids, and getting involved more with stuff that matters.” So then I asked, “What is a good age to get married then?” He stated, “It’s not really about age, I feel that it’s more about when you are financially secure.” I then asked, “What do you think the biggest difference in men and women is?” He responded, “Men are more logical, and women are more emotional and effected by their surroundings.” Then I asked, “Big Red, who is you hero/who do you look up to the most?” Quick to respond he said, “My father.” He told how his father had come from nothing, dropped out of school, and retired making over a $100,000 a year. Then I asked him my final question, “Big Red, do you mind to give me three words that best describe yourself?” He replied, “Thoughtful, outdoorsy, and social.”
Interview #3
Sitting with my grandmother, I asked her, “Who is your hero?” She replied, “The Lord Jesus Christ, and then your grandfather.” Then I asked, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” She replied, “Still living, but at a slower pace and with more handicaps. I have accomplished a lot, but I think that is going to slow down.” Then I asked her, “What age should one get married?” She said, “It’s when you can be responsible for each other, job security, and maintain a home. But the most important thing is to find someone that you cannot just live with, but can’t live without.” Then I asked, “What is the biggest difference in guys and girls?” She replied, “Women are more detailed in thoughts and planning, guys are more just like whatever.” Upon asking her to give me three words to describe herself, she replied “Caring, spiritual, and positive.”

Discussion When comparing Miss. Delightful with Big Red and Grandmother, it was obvious that development was still occurring within Miss. Delightful’s little head. You could tell that she was striving to accomplish such tasks as learning ABC’s, learning a whole song on the piano and by making decisions that would affect her life such as marrying me. Although she feels security from the love and praise of her parents, everything in her life revolves around wanting to learn new skills: reading, volleyball, piano, etc. For these reasons, my opinion is that she functions within the inferiority side of the Elementary School Stage. Big Red and Grandmother, I feel are a little harder to distinguish even though there is a forty seven year difference between their ages. They both agreed that age wasn’t the real concern with marriage; it was about being able to support one another by financial means. However, Grandmother added that love is another major factor. They both agreed that their gender was the more rational and the logical one. When asked about the next 10 years, I think this was the definitive question that separated the two into their correct stages. Grandmother stated she had accomplished a lot, and in summary, Big Red sounded like he was ready to start building his life around others. For these reasons I place Big Red on the Generativity side of the Middle Adulthood Stage and place Grandmother in the Integrity side of the Late Adulthood Stage.
Conclusion
Through this exercise, I learned that listening for clues in others’ words can give you a better understanding of another’s state of being and where they maybe in the process of life. I was surprised to hear that most placed money way up on the list as a marriage prerequisite. Through this exercise, I can better see that life indeed does happen in stages and people really can be on different sides of the fence within the same stages of life.