Keeper of the Meaning

Keeper of the Meaning is a stage of adult development which involves the "conservation and preservation of the collective products of mankind".^[1] This stage was developed by George Vaillant in 1993 and added to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, between generativity vs. stagnation and integrity vs. despair.^[2] This stage covers the ages of 60 to 75.^[3] Vaillant contrasts keeper of the meaning with rigidity.^[2]

Vaillant stresses that wisdom is a central part of the keeper of the meaning stage.^[2] Where generativity focuses on the care of individuals, keeper of the meaning is less selective and focuses on wisdom and justice.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b George E. Vaillant (1 January 2002). Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development. Hachette Digital, Inc. ISBN 978-0-316-98936-7. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c George E. Vaillant (1995). The Wisdom of the Ego. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-95373-4. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
^ Hay, R. (2010). "The relevance of ecocentrism, personal development and transformational leadership to sustainability and identity". Sustainable Development. 18 (3): 163–171. doi:10.1002/sd.456.

[Vaillant2002-1] George E. Vaillant (1 January 2002). Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development. Hachette Digital, Inc. ISBN 978-0-316-98936-7. Retrieved 22 June 2012.

[Vaillant1995-2] George E. Vaillant (1995). The Wisdom of the Ego. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-95373-4. Retrieved 22 June 2012.

[3] Hay, R. (2010). "The relevance of ecocentrism, personal development and transformational leadership to sustainability and identity". Sustainable Development. 18 (3): 163–171. doi:10.1002/sd.456.

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See also

References