Joan Erikson was a writer and a dancer and is shown in various Cape Cod locations. In 1900 the average life span was 45 years, now it is closer to 80 years. The Inverted U Model of Life Development . There is a sharp increase of abilities in youth, then a leveling off and a decline in old age. Personality development does not follow the u shaped curve.
Personality is remarkably stable after young adulthood.
An expert knowledge system of the fundamental pragmatics of life, permitting exceptional insight, judgment and advice involving complex and uncertain matters of the human condition. In wisdom the best of mind and character come together. They use external aids like glasses or internal ones like taking on fewer duties when they are feeling tired. Can be positively used by elders to conserve energy for life enhancing activities. The ability to draw on an extensive knowledge system about one's functioning in the world and a flexible ability to problem solve, thus effectively managing the opportunities and challenges of life.