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.

[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.

This older adult has a collection of bicycles that he has preserved, reflecting his role as a keeper of the meaning.