Psychosocial Development in Middle AdulthoodGuideposts for StudySlide 3Life Course in Middle AgeNormative Stage Models: Carl JungErik Erikson: Generativity vs. StagnationForms of GenerativityInteriority: Men in Middle LifeBox 16.1 A Society without Middle AgeTiming of Events Model: The Social ClockThe Midlife CrisisDo People Really Have Midlife Crises?Turning PointsSlide 14Whitbourne: Identity Process ModelEquilibrium and Identity StyleIdentity and Middle AgeNarrative Psychology: Identity is a StoryNarrative Life-Span GoalsMen’s Gender IdentityWomen’s Gender IdentityEmotionality in MidlifeLife Satisfaction: Coping and AdaptingFactors That Influence HappinessRyff’s Dimensions of Well-BeingSocial Well-BeingFive Dimensions of Social Well-BeingGenerativity and Well-BeingTheories of Social Contact: Social Convoy TheoryTheories of Social Contact: Socioemotional Selectivity TheoryLife-Span Motives for Social ContactMarriageBenefits of MarriageCohabitation and Mental HealthMarital CapitalGay and Lesbian Relationships in MidlifeFriendships in MidlifeRelationships with Mature ChildrenMiddle-Aged Parents with Adolescent ChildrenThe Empty NestEmpty Nest and Marital SatisfactionParenting Grown ChildrenIntergenerational Family TypesThe Cluttered NestAging Parents: Contact and Mutual HelpCaring for Aging ParentsStrains of Caring for ParentsRelationships with SiblingsGrandparenthoodThe Grandparents’ RoleCommon Activities with GrandchildrenGrandparenting after Parental Divorce or RemarriageRaising Grandchildren: Skip-Generation FamiliesEffects of “Parenting by Default”© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncPsychosocial Development in Middle AdulthoodChapter 16© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncGuideposts for StudyHow do developmental scientists approach the study of psychosocial development in middle adulthood?What do theorists have to say about psychosocial change in middle age?What issues concerning the self come to the fore during middle adulthood?What role do social relationships play in the lives of middle-aged people?© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncGuideposts for StudyHow do marriages, cohabitations, and gay and lesbian relationships fare during the middle years, and how common is divorce at this time of life?How do friendships change during middle age?How do parent-child relationships change as children approach and reach adulthood?How do middle-aged people get along with parents and siblings?How has grandparenthood changed, and what roles do grandparents play?Life Course in Middle AgeDevelopmental scientists view the course of midlife in several ways–Objectively–SubjectivelyIndividual pathwaysWork and personal rolesCohort, gender, ethnicity, culture and SES can affect life course© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncNormative Stage Models: Carl JungFirst to theorize about adult developmentHealthy midlife includes individuation–Emergence of true self through balance of the whole personalityTwo difficult but necessary tasks of middle age–Giving up image of youth–Acknowledging mortality© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncErik Erikson:Generativity vs. StagnationGenerativity–Concern for guiding the next generation–Virtue of “care”Stagnation–People who do not find an outlet for generativity become self-indulgent or stagnantForms of GenerativityTeaching and mentorshipParenting and grandparentingProductivity or creativity“Self generation” or self-development© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncInteriority: Men in Middle LifeVaillant and Levinson studiesAn introspective tendency at midlifeA restructuring of life toward maintaining relationshipsBox 16.1 A Society without Middle AgeGusii in southwestern KenyaNo words for “adolescent,” “young adult,” or “middle aged”Transitions depend on life events“Social clock” set of expectations© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncTiming of Events Model:The Social ClockPersonality development depends less on age than important life eventsLifestyles today are more diverse and the social clock has become more “fluid”© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncThe Midlife CrisisStressful crisis of identity–Second adolescence Triggered by–Review of one’s life–Awareness of mortality© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncDo People Really Have Midlife Crises?Occurrence is rare–Some suffer turmoil, others feel at their peak–Least likely among those with ego resiliencyAble to adapt to stressHave a sense of mastery and controlMidlife is just one of many transitions–Middle age may be stressful–But no more than other stages of lifeTurning Points© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncTurning PointsPsychological transitions that involve significant change in person’s lifeInvolves introspective review and reappraisal of valuesMay bring developmental deadlines–Time constraints on life events© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncWhitbourne: Identity Process ModelSchema that individuals use to interpret their experiencesModel accounts for stability and changePerceptions continually revised and updated with new information through two processes:–Identity assimilation–Identity accommodation© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncEquilibrium and Identity StyleAssimilative identityAccommodative identityBalanced identity© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncIdentity and Middle AgeLife-course perspective:–Generativity is affected by social roles and their timingReaching generativity by middle age tends to lead to psychological health–Volunteering or being politically active is an expression of communal generativity© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncNarrative Psychology:Identity is a StoryIdentity is an internalized “script” –A dramatic narrative to make sense of one’s lifeDevelopment is a continuous process–Adding to the story© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncNarrative Life-Span GoalsExploratory–Goals aimed at a mature understanding of selfIntrinsic–Goals aimed at well-being and/or happiness–Generativity scripts give life a “happy ending”–The “commitment story”: A goal to alleviate suffering of others© 2012