11. Adult Development

Question 1

what are the 3 core concepts of adulthood?

Answer 1

love, work, care

Question 2

Common principles for adult development?

Answer 2

• stages build upon stages - you can’t jump over one, have to master each before progressing
• stages are of defining yourself and separating from prior group, then re-integrating into a larger group
• non-linear process
• cycles of stability and change
• multiple areas evolving simultaneously

Question 3

overall trend of adult development?

Answer 3

movement outward from the self, into the world. increasing committment, responsibility and connection

Question 4

what are factors that can assist or slow the pace of adult development?

Answer 4

health/illness
social structures
cultural factors

Question 5

Erikson: how many of his 8 stages apply to adult development?

Answer 5

3

Question 6

Levinson: what are his stages called?

Answer 6

4 seasons: childhood, early adult, middle adult, late adult

Question 7

what did Neugarten add to the adult dev theories of Freud, Erickson, and Levinson?

Answer 7

the idea that there is a social clock, that things are expected to occur at a certain time and if they don’t, they can throw things off

Question 8

What did Levinson emphasize in terms of adult dev?

Answer 8

dreams (imagined self v reality)
mentors
Unique Path
Relationships as the main structure in life

Question 9

what two theorists describe the internal self (inner evolution of mind/psyche/soul)

Answer 9

Jung, Campbell

Question 10

What are Jung’s two main ideas?

Answer 10

• collective unconscious (inherited framework, universal to all)
• Archetypes (characters commonly seen in stories around the world)

Question 11

Campbell: big idea?

Answer 11

Universal Monomyth, Hero’s Journey

Question 12

what are the 3 stages we are primarily concerned with in adult development?

Answer 12

• intimacy v isolation
• career consolidation v self-absorption
• generativity v stagnation

Question 13

age 20-30: developmental tasks? methods? outcomes?

Answer 13

Intimacy v Isolation
Tasks: emotional intimacy, sustained relationship, commitment while sustaining autonomy
Methods: trial/error (learning through relationships), parents as role models and often safety net.
Outcomes: committed love v self-absorption

Question 14

age 30-40: developmental tasks? methods? outcomes?

Answer 14

Career Consolidation
Tasks: Commitment to work, Job –> Career
Methods: formation of a dream, finding a mentor, gender differences show here
Outcomes: successful career/childrearing v failure and insecurity

Question 15

age 40-60: developmental tasks? methods? outcomes?

Answer 15

Generativity v Stagnation
Tasks: accept death, become a mentor, offer support to community, become more flexible in thinking
Methods: identify values, rebuild and rework, find roles for mentoring. may have mid-life crisis
Outcomes: Success v Failure (depression, mid-life crisis)