Under Construction @ Keele 2016 Volume 1 Issue 1 | Page 39

29 ! individuals who do hand-knitting with individuals who engage in musical activities such as singing or playing a musical instrument. Although these two activities appear distinctive, they share many common benefits. Life Stages Erik Erikson (1959) developed a psychosocial theory of development which suggests individuals should travel through eight interconnected stages over their whole life circle as outlined in the following table: Positive Life Stage Conflict between Infant trust vs. mistrust hope Toddler autonomy vs. shame will Pre-schooler initiative vs. guilt purpose School age industry vs. inferiority competence Adolescence identity vs. identity diffusion fidelity Young adult intimacy vs. isolation love Middle-aged adult Older adult Generativity vs selfabsorption integrity vs. despair Characteristic care wisdom The positive characteristics that Erikson outlined at different stages of life (hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, wisdom) are reflected in both hand-knitting and engagement with music.3 With reference to the latter, extrinsic motivation in the early stages of life through the support of family, friends and teachers and external rewards, leads to intrinsic motivation. Thus, establishing a strong self-identity and the ability to reward and challenge oneself helps to develop and maintain extensive practice that is necessary for success. Previous studies indicate that adults choose to engage in music at their current stage because they ‘enjoy’ the experience, whereas with children it is often not a self-chosen activity but !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 Erik H. Erikson,’ Identity and the life cycle: Selected papers,’ Psychological Issues, 1.1 (1959,) 1171.!