Chapter 16 Study Guide 1 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 Psychosocial development is approached in two ways 1 Objectively they look at trajectories or pathways 2 Subjectively they look at how people construct their identity and the structure of their lives Theoretical approaches 1 Freud Believed that personality is permanently formed well before middle age 2 Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers humanistic theorists Saw middle age as an opportunity for positive change Self actualization can only come with maturity Full human functioning requires a constant lifelong process of bringing the self in harmony with experience 3 Carl Jung Claimed that during midlife people shift their obligations from external goals nurturance achievement to their inner spiritual selves a time of turning inward Two difficult tasks in midlife 1 giving up the image of youth and 2 accepting mortality Individuation and Transcendence 4 Erik Erikson Contrasted Jung by saying midlife was an outward turn Generativity versus Stagnation middle aged adult develops a concern with establishing guiding and influencing the next generation or else experiences stagnation 2 What issues concerning identity come to the forefront during middle adulthood Develops virtue of care How do these vary by gender Key identity issues 1 Midlife Crisis Identity Development 2 3 Psychological Well being Least likely among those with ego resiliency People high in neuroticism anxiety hostility instability are more likely to experience midlife crises Women in the MIDUS study reported slightly more negative emotionality anger fear anxiety at all ages than men Positive emotionality such as cheerfulness increases on average among men but falls among women in middle age and then rises sharply for both sexes but especially men in late adulthood In middle age many women become more In middle age many men become more interested in o Assertive o Self confident o Achievement oriented o Expression of feelings o Intimate relationships o Nurturing 3 What does a mid life crisis really look like What causes it How common is it to have a mid life crisis The term midlife crisis is now considered an inaccurate representation of what most people experience in midlife Some might experience it but others feel at the peak of their powers Triggered by review of one s life and awareness of mortality Occurrence is rare Video in class very few men 10 12 have anything approaching a crisis midlife is more associated with confidence 4 How do marriages cohabitations and gay and lesbian relationships fare during the middle years What is the role of marriage in modern life What does research say about how to make a marriage or other long term relationship last What are signs that a marriage is in trouble How common is divorce at this time of life 1 Marriage Marital satisfaction usually its bottom early in middle age when couples have teenagers and are heavily involved in careers Satisfaction reaches height when children are grown and during retirement Sexual satisfaction affects marital satisfaction 2 Cohabitations Only half as common in midlife as in young adulthood more common with aging of baby boomers Cohabiting men are more likely to be depressed just as likely as men without partners 3 Gay Lesbian Relationships One factor that affects their quality is whether or not they have internalized society s negative views about homosexuality internalize them more depression Midlife friendships have a special importance for homosexuals Divorce in midlife is more common than in the past may be less a threat to well being in middle age than young adulthood Benefits of Marriage Social support easier to accumulate wealth better physical and mental health Signs that your Marriage is in Trouble Criticism Defensiveness Contempt Stonewalling The 4 Horsemen 5 How do other relationships change or stay the same in middle age How do friendships fare 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 Social networks tend to become smaller and more intimate Friends now often revolve around work parenting neighborhood contacts and volunteer work Loneliness increased blood pressure Parents of adolescents have to come to terms with a loss over control over their children s lives Relationships between middle aged adults and their parents are usually characterized by a strong bond of affection Although siblings tend to have less contact at midlife most remain in touch and their relationships are important to well being 6 What roles do today s grandparents play Most U S A growing number of grandparents are raising grandchildren whose parents are unable to care for them About 15 of U S grandparents provide care for working parents In general grandmothers have closer warmer more affectionate relationships with their grandchildren especially granddaughters Vocabulary Self actualization the full realization of human potential Individuation Jung s term for emergence of the true self through balancing or integration of conflicting parts of personality Generativity vs stagnation Erikson s 7th stage of psychosocial development in which the middle aged adult develops a concern with establishing guiding and influencing the next generation or else experiences stagnation a sense of inactivity or lifelessness Generativity concern for mature adults for establishing guiding and influencing the next generation people who do not find an outlet for generativity become self absorbed self indulgent or stagnant parenting grand parenting teaching productivity or creativity volunteering etc Interiority a concern with the inner self introversion or introspection which usually appears in middle age Midlife crisis a stressful life period precipitated by the review and reevaluation of one s past typically occurring in the early to middle forties triggered by awareness of mortality Midlife review introspective examination that often occurs in middle age leading to reappraisal and revision of values and priorities may bring regret over failure to achieve a dream or key awareness of developmental deadlines Turning points psychological transitions that involve significant change or transformation in the perceived meaning purpose or direction of a person s life Developmental deadlines
View Full Document
Unlocking...