Adult Psychosocial Development

Question 1

The self in adulthood: Midlife

Answer 1

• High rates of self-acceptance compared to earlier life stages -> goals focused on fulfilling roles they already have
• –Re-examination & revision of possible selves to align with reality
• Increased self-understanding & self-concept (i.e., resolved identity crises)
• Most have a subjective age younger than chronological age

Question 2

The self in adulthood: Late Adulthood

Answer 2

• Overall, mostly positive views and evaluations of the self
• –Tend to separate positive and negative aspects of the self
• Goal is to accept the weaknesses and refocus on their strengths
• -Helped via reminiscence and life review
• –Emphasize healthy sense of self, relationships, and health
• Increased life satisfaction and decreased negative affect
• Maintaining younger subjective age is associated with increased health and well-being

Question 3

Personality in Adulthood

Answer 3

-Personality – the biologically and environmentally determined characteristics within the person that account for distinctive and relatively enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.

• Big 5 personality traits:
• –Openness (to experience)
• –Conscientiousness
• –Extroversion
• –Agreeableness
• –Neuroticism

Question 4

Big 5 Personality in Adulthood

Answer 4

• Relatively stable within individuals across lifespan
• However, see some age related changes
• Longitudinal and cross-sectional– US
• —Agreeableness increases
• —Conscientious increases
• —Neuroticism declines
• —Extroversion doesn’t change/decreases slightly
• —Openness doesn’t change/decreases slightly

-Similar trends in more than 50 countries – very different cultures – Canada, Russia, South Korea

Question 5

Season’s of Life: Levinson’s Seasons of Life

Answer 5

• Seasons of life – set of common phases in which life structures (e.g., relationships, vocation) are constructed, tested, and modified, based on experiences and opportunities
• The Seasons of a Man’s Life published in 1978 on a very homogenous sample (highly educated, White, and high SES)

Question 6

Midlife Crisis?

Answer 6

• Midlife Crisis – coined by Elliott Jacques in 1965; rose in popularity with Levinson’s seasons
• Characterized by: self-doubt, concerns about body, stress, & major restructuring of personality
• People EXPECT crisis, but little evidence middle age is turbulent
• –Rather, typically viewed as a positive time in life (increased life satisfaction & self-esteem)
• Only 10-20% of adults report having experienced a crisis in early 40s
• –Not about AGE, rather challenging LIFE EVENTS - turning points

Question 7

Mindfulness Meditation

Answer 7

• Mindfulness Meditation – bringing focus and attention to one’s ongoing sensory, cognitive, and emotional experiences with an accepting, nonjudgmental stance
• Helps with stress management
• Associated with improved EF & increased physical health
• Associated with decreased anxiety & depression
• –Being present in the moment decreases rumination on failed goals or aging process