Reference no: EM133668805

Chapter 10 in our textbook says the following about life stories: "McAdams's research indicates people in Western societies begin forming their life story during late adolescence and emerging adulthood, but its roots lie in one's earliest attachments in infancy. As in Erikson's theory, adolescence marks the full initiation into forming an identity; a coherent life story begins. In emerging and established adulthood, it is continued and refined through intimacy, and from midlife and beyond it is refashioned in the wake of generativity and integrity, as well as other major and minor life changes. Paramount in these life stories is the changing personal identity reflected in the emotions conveyed in the story (e.g., tragedy, hope, successes, challenges). In addition, motivations change and are reflected in the person's repeated attempts to attain goals over time. In McAdams' approach, the two most common goal themes are agency (reflecting power, achievement, and autonomy) and communion (reflecting love, intimacy, and a sense of belonging). Finally, life stories incorporate and reflect one's beliefs and values, or the ideology a person uses to set the context for actions (Kail and Cavanaugh, 2023,).

How have you seen your goals change over time? What is your hoped for possible self and feared possible self? What does research say about the possible self we can become and the link between our possible selves and how we create meaning?