The document discusses the complexities of retirement, highlighting the transition from full-time employment to pension funding and its effects on human development. It reviews human development theories, particularly Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory and Leon Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory, illustrating how seniors may face psychosocial crises like stagnation and despair during retirement. The analysis emphasizes the importance of understanding these theories to address the unique challenges and lifestyle changes encountered by retirees.

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Week 10 Project: Retirement Issues
School of Psychology
DPSY-8111
Orlanda Haynes
Walden University
February 01, 2019

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Week 10 Project: Retirement Issues
Retirement involves major lifestyle changes. For most people, the first is transitioning
from full-time employment to pension plans funded by either private or government entities
(Moser, 1997; Vejar, 2017). The second phase begins with reorganization of daily routines and
cost of living budgets; all of which could have noticeable influence on human development.
Historically, the concept of retirement dates to the Roman Empire. In that, soldiers received
pensions after serving enlistment periods. In the U.S., the American Express company created
its first pension plan in 1875 (Davidson, 2016). Today, some seniors use retirement to reconnect
with beloved passions, to travel extensively, or ,simple, to enjoy their new freedom-of-choice.
In contrast, those who are within a few years of retirement devote much time toward
planning; on the other hand, others experience retirement transitions from the context of
psychosocial crises (e.g., stagnation and despair), cognitive dissonance (e.g., conflicts between
attitudes and behaviors), and ageism (e.g., discrimination based on age) (DeBono, 2018; Moser,
1997; Newman, & Newman, 2016; Vejar, 2017). However, major human development theories
such as Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and Leon Festinger’s theory of
cognitive dissonance address these phenomena. Erikson's theory ,for instance, is based on the
premise that human development occurs through eight stages, from infancy to old age. To avoid
psychosocial crises individuals should address challenges within each phase (Adams, 2008;
Newman, & Newman, 2016; Syed, & McLean, 2017).
In contrast, cognitive dissonance occurs when there is conflict between a person’s
attitude or belief about a subject matter and his or her behavior or act in response to the belief
(DeBono, 2018). In 1951, Leon Festinger, a social psychologist, hypothesized that humans have
an intrinsic drive to bring about equilibrium between attitudes and behaviors related to beliefs

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(DeBono, 2018). He emphasized that cognitive dissonance occurs through stress, which could
have negative influence on aspects of human development (Chang, Solomon, & Westerfield,
2016; Cooper, 2007; Levy, Harmon-Jones, & Harmon-Jones, 2018). The theory gives an
explanation as to how conflicts between attitudes and behaviors originate as well as how their
influences effect human development (DeBono, 2018; Chang, Solomon, & Westerfield, 2016;
Cooper, 2007; Levy, Harmon-Jones, & Harmon-Jones, 2018).
Most importantly, thou, one could restore stability between attitudes and behaviors by
changing or reducing the relevancy of either of the competing factors (Chang, Solomon, &
Westerfield, 2016; Cooper, 2007). As inferred, retirement issues are both complex and
widespread (Adams, 2008; Syed, & McLean, 2017). Some seniors, however, are more
physically and emotionally prepared to address challenges than others are (Newman, &
Newman, 2016). This discussion will expand awareness about stumbling- blocks unique to
seniors as well as overview two human development theories relevant to the subject.
Theories of Human Development
The seventh and eighth stages of Erikson’s theory apply to adults in the 40 and above age
range. Psychosocial factors include generativity, stagnation, integrity, despair, and ageism
(Syed, & McLean, 2017; Vejar, 2017). The concept of generativity begins in stage seven, which
is usually a period-in-time when people start thinking about how they want to contribute to
communities, to society as-a-whole, and how to create legacies that align with their philosophies
(Newman, & Newman, 2016; Syed, & McLean, 2017). Volunteer work is highly favored
(Newman, & Newman, 2016). Some individuals, for example, choose to deliver groceries to
seniors, mentor children, or adults, or give companionship service to Hospice patients. On the
other hand, if he/she believes the concept of generativity is socially relevant and of interest, and

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there is enough schedule-time available, but, still, refuse to comply, then the conflict between the
belief and the behavior could enable cognitive dissonance. However, the individual could
address the problem by reducing the relevancy of the belief or the behavior, by changing either
or, or by sharing skills with others, thereby fulfilling the concept of generativity (Chang,
Solomon, & Westerfield, 2016; Cooper, 2007).
In contrast, psychosocial crises occur when adults (ages 40 to 65 and beyond) lack the
will or the psychological ability to master the phase of generativity; this experience conveys not
only a loss of interest in the psychosocial development of others but also of the individuals
themselves. Other relevant traits include extreme tendencies to worry, to prefer social isolation,
and to show intolerance toward beliefs and opinions that are indifference from one’s own
(Newman, & Newman, 2016; Hiel, Mervielde, & DeFruyt, 2006). To avoid psychosocial crises,
recall that “individuals should address challenges within each phase.” Erikson’s theory
emphasizes the relevancy of becoming actively engaged in activities that help support oneself as
well as others (Adams, 2008; Newman, & Newman, 2016).
Another psychosocial crisis that could negatively influence seniors in the age range of 60
and above is despair; however, integrity could have the opposite effect (Moser, 1997; Vejar,
2017). Say, for example, a professor, in this age bracket, has enjoyed decades of career, social,
and economic success. Then, one evening, he decided to conduct his life overview, which is a
behavior unique to Erikson’s eighth stage of psychosocial development (Syed, & McLean, 2017;
Vejar, 2017). Hours later, he arose from the experience feeling proud, a sense of integrity filled
his thoughts. While watering his lawn the following day, he shared the results of his life’s
overview with his neighbor.
Although his neighbor was around the same age, he lacked equivalent socioeconomic

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success. Therefore, he may have felt despair—knowing that he had not achieved the same or
similar level of success as his neighbor had (Syed, & McLean, 2017). Nonetheless, he could
address the problem by using a cognitive dissonance principle. In that, he could reduce the
relevancy of his belief (e.g., about his neighbor’s success) or change it altogether. Doing so
would change his behavior from “despair” to something more suitable to his lifestyle. As
research suggests, “success ” is a subjective construct defined by beliefs, which is usually
determined by what goals are relevant to goal setters in relation to their lifestyle (Deveson, 2001;
Feuer, 2015).
However, one could successfully argue that stagnation and despair are common
psychosocial stumbling-blocks among seniors, especially during the retirement age (Newman, &
Newman, 2016; Hiel, Mervielde, & DeFruyt, 2006). Similarly, Vejar (2017) argued that
although ageism usually occurs after retirement it is, nonetheless, a stumbling-block found
almost exclusive among seniors. It occurs, for example, when an employer hires a new
employee or approves a job promotion based solely on the chronological age of the applicants
(e.g., an employee who is 30 years old vs. one who is 62 years old with the same or higher
qualifications).
Theories’ Critique
Newman, and Newman (2016) emphasized that research-based theories employ
parsimonious constructions to show consistency among related components, including
hypotheses, methodologies, and findings. Although psychosocial development (PD) and
cognitive dissonance (CD) theories depict these characteristics, they address distinct aspects of
human development. For example, PD addresses stages of development through which
phenomena originate and evolve as well as how their effects influence human development

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across the lifespan. Whereas CD is the product of negative conflict between attitudes and
behaviors (Chang, Solomon, & Westerfield, 2016; Cooper, 2007; Levy, Harmon-Jones, &
Harmon-Jones, 2018). In other words, PD theories discuss constructs which are relevance to
humans (such as retirement) and then explain how such could affect the development of life.
From this perspective, both theories play vital roles in understanding the complex nature of
human development (Chang, Solomon, & Westerfield, 2016; Cooper, 2007; Levy, Harmon-
Jones, & Harmon-Jones, 2018; Newman, & Newman , 2016).
Conclusion
Retirement signals a new path in life, the reorganization of daily routines, budgets, and
lifestyle choices (Moser, 1997; Vejar, 2017). Deciding how to fund the new venture supersedes
other concerns. Some seniors rely on pension funds from private or government entities. This
practice dates to the Roman Empire. That is, after serving an enlistment period, solders received
monthly pensions (Davidson, 2016). In 1875, the American Express company created the first
pension policy in the United States (Davidson, 2016). Today, seniors use retirement in various
ways, such as reconnecting with old hobbies or starting new ones.
In contrast, those who are near retirement age begin the planning process; however, some
seniors experience the transition through “retirement stumbling-blocks” such as psychosocial
crises (e.g., stagnation and despair), cognitive dissonance (e.g., conflicts between attitudes and
behaviors), and ageism or age related discrimination (DeBono, 2018; Hiel, Mervielde, &
DeFruyt, 2006; Moser, 1997; Newman, & Newman, 2016; Vejar, 2017). Most importantly,
thou, human development theories expand our awareness and knowledge about such factors.
This discussion overviews stumbling-blocks unique to seniors from the perspectives of
Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and Leon Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory.

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