Late AdultHood
In Toy Story 3, the toys have matured and are now growing older. The toys have aged along with Andy. In their process of aging, they have followed Erikson's Psychosocial Model. According to the model, they move from middle adulthood where, "The primary relationship is with children and community, their focus was giving back."(18) Now, they move into late adulthood where, "The primary relationship with society in general and the focus becomes life achievements."(19) The toys no longer have Andy to comfort, support, and be there for. Their focus begins to switch to their life achievements when they begin considering spending the rest of their lives in the attic. The attic to the toys is almost like a retirement home that elders consider moving into.
"THe Attic"
5 Stages of Death
According to Kubler Ross, there are 5 stages of death, "Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance."(20) The toys all have a very close encounter with death when they are about to be melted in a fire at the town dump. The toys go through denial as they try their best to escape. They all become very angry and momentarily depressed when Lots-O' does not stop the conveyor belt like he said he would. The toys skip bargaining, but it is normal to skip one or two stages. Then the toys all accept their fate as they hold hands in preparation.
See Notes for citations and picture Z.