8.3 Flashcards
normative-crisis models
the approach to emotional development that is based on fairly universal stages tied to a sequence of age-related crises
life events models
the approach to emotional development that is based on the timing of particular events in an adult’s life rather than on age per se
generativity versus stagnation
according to Erikson, the stage during middle adulthood in which people consider their contributions to family and society
Developmentalist George Vaillant (1977) argues that an important period between ages 45 and 55 centres on “keeping the meaning” versus rigidity.
Seeking to extract meaning from their lives, adults also seek to “keep the meaning” by accepting the strengths and weaknesses of others. Although they realize it is not perfect, they strive to safeguard their world, and they are relatively content. The man quoted at the beginning of this section, for example, appears content with the meaning he has found in his life. People who are unable to achieve this state risk becoming rigid and increasingly isolated from others.
Psychiatrist Roger Gould (1978) offered an alternative to Erikson’s and Vaillant’s views. He agrees that people move through a series of stages and potential crises, but he suggests that adults pass through seven stages associated with specific age period
According to Gould, people in their late thirties and early forties begin to feel a sense of urgency about attaining life’s goals as they realize that their life is finite. Coming to grips with this reality can propel people toward maturity.
Another alternative to Erikson’s work is psychologist Daniel Levinson’s seasons of life theory
He suggests that adult men pass through a series of stages beginning with early adulthood, around age 20, and continuing into midlife. The beginning stages centre on leaving one’s family and entering the adult world.
However, at around age 40 or 45, people move to what Levinson calls the midlife transition. The midlife transition is a time of questioning, a focus on the finite nature of life. People begin to question some of their fundamental assumptions. They experience the first signs of aging, and they confront the fact that they will not accomplish all their aims before they die.
midlife crisis
a stage of uncertainty and indecision brought about by the realization that life is finite
“Big Five” Personality Traits
neuroticism—the degree to which a person is moody, anxious, and self-critical
extroversion—how outgoing or shy a person is
openness—a person’s level of curiosity and interest in new experiences
agreeableness—how easy going and helpful a person tends to be
conscientiousness—a person’s tendencies to be organized and responsible
empty nest syndrom
the experience that relates to parents’ feelings of unhappiness, worry, loneliness, and depression resulting from their children’s departure from home
boomerang children
young adults who return, after leaving home for some period, to live in the homes of their middle-aged parents
sandwich generation
adults who, in middle adulthood, must fulfill the needs of both children and aging parents
tension-building stage,
a batterer becomes upset and shows dissatisfaction through verbal abuse
acute battering incident
the physical abuse actually occurs, lasting from several minutes to hours.
loving contrition stage.
At this point, the husband feels remorse and apologizes for his actions.
cycle of violence hypothesis
the theory that abuse and neglect of children leads them to be predisposed to abusiveness as adults
