Adulthood Flashcards
What do timing of events theories plan to explain?
Understanding that life events follow normative patterns of sequence and timing. Emphasis developmental contexts and the sociocultural and historical contexts. Describe patterns of behaviour, diversity across groups and cultural and generational differences.
The relative concept of social clock has two prime ideas what are they?
On time - following the social timetable
Off time - out of phase with peers
There are three major normative crises theories that is related to adult development, how are they structured?
They are models that describe psychosocial development in terms of a definite sequence of optimal age-related changes. Unsuccessful completion of a particular stage is believed to hinder optimal development.
In Erikson’s Intimacy vs. Isolation stage in early adulthood, what is said to be the ultimate virtue of this stage?
The capacity to commit to concrete affiliations and partnerships and to develop the ethical strength to abide by such commitments even through they may call for significant sacrifices and compromises.
In Eriksons generativity and stagnation phase in middle adulthood, what is the crisis affiliated with this period?
The mature adult is striving to be needed. The crisis entails the clash between making a worthwhile contribution to future generations versus a profound sense of boredom, self-preoccupation and doubt.
Vaillant’s theory was created from the Harvard “grant study” what were the two stages added by Vaillant to be negotiated in early-middle adulthood?
Career consolidation vs. Self-absorption
What is career consolidation in Vaillants theory?
This involves expanding one’s personal identity to assume a social identity within the world of work.
What were the key conclusions of the Harvard “grant study”?
Experiences of warmth and love across the lifespan = happiness
Those that didn’t master identity never achieved independence from family/institution
Were not able to commit to work or intimate relationships
Alcoholism was an enemy of relationships, financial wellbeing and longevity
In Vaillant’s theory there are a series of adaptive/mature mechanisms that effect career consolidation vs. self-absorption, how does sublimation help?
Taking conflict and negative emotion and channelling it in other ways
In Vaillant’s theory there are a series of adaptive/mature mechanisms that effect the career consolidation vs. self-absorption, how does humour help?
People who have humour are better socially. When sense of humour leaves, this is when depression ensues.
In Vaillant’s theory there are a series of adaptive/mature mechanisms that effect career consolidation vs. self-absorption, how does altruism help?
This is the ability to see above your own needs and think about the collective needs of others.
In Vaillant’s theory there are a series of adaptive/mature mechanisms that effect career consolidation vs. self-absorption, how does suppression help?
When this is a way of being across all contexts it becomes maladaptive. For front line workers, this is adaptive for doing the work.
In Vaillant’s theory, what are some maladaptive/immature mechanisms for dealing with career consolidation vs. self-absorption?
Projection - putting our own issues onto another
Passive aggression
Dissociation - though in trauma this is adaptive
Acting out
Fantasy
What is Levinson’s theory of development?
A biopsychosocial model that covers all aspects of developmental interactions called eras. He envisaged life as this constant wave of exploration, questioning and then consolidation.
What are the three eras of Levinson’s theory?
Early adulthood
Middle Adulthood
Late Adulthood
