Compare and contrast Erikson's view of midlife with that of Vaillant.

Erikson and Valliant are stage theorists who focus on the exploration and commitment toward life tasks people face throughout the lifespan.Both Erikson and Vaillant suggest that certain life tasks occur in relatively predictable sequence.Initially people deal with intimacy needs and later shift to generativity needs.Vaillant suggests that middle adulthood unfolds in two stages (early middle adulthood and late middle adulthood).
Erikson describes three stages in self-development in adulthood,based on the kinds of life tasks that become most important to people as they find themselves fully matured and facing the fact that this is the one life that they have to live.Very briefly,in young adulthood,intimacy (vs.isolation)is one's quest: finding a way to validate and expand her own sense of self by committing to a shared life with others.In middle adulthood,generativity (vs.stagnation)becomes most important,giving one's own life purpose by producing and building for the next generation,through work,community service,or child rearing.By old age,establishing ego integrity (vs.despair)becomes life's task.Ideally,a process of life review helps the elderly adult to develop a sense that her own life is "something that had to be," that she has lived a life that has order,meaning,and dignity.
Vaillant (1993;2012)suggests that two more adult life stages should be added to Erikson's scheme,reflecting that forming deep bonds,becoming productive,and finding meaning in one's life are recurring themes throughout adulthood.In one's mid-20s,career consolidation (vs.self-absorption)is a key focus of self-development.In this phase of life,in addition to ongoing intimacy concerns,making a commitment to work that brings personal satisfaction,regardless of its other rewards,rather than just having a job,becomes important.The most positive development for this period is that such a commitment emerges as an important part of one's identity.
Vaillant also described a stage that comes near the end of Erikson's generativity stage,in late middle adulthood.This he called the keeper of meaning (vs.rigidity)stage,when the adult expands her generative concerns beyond just making a productive contribution,in order to actually preserve something that is part of the culture.In this sense,adults seek ways to establish the meaningfulness of the work or contributions they have made.