Ch. 13 - Adult Psychosocial Development

Question 1

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Answer 1

The sixth of Erikson’s eight stages of development. Adults seek someone with whom to share their lives in an enduring and self-sacrificing commitment. Without such commitment, they risk profound aloneness and isolation.

Question 2

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Answer 2

The seventh of Erikson’s eight stages of development in which adults seek to be productive in a caring way, often as parents. Generativity also occurs through art, caregiving, and employment.

Question 3

Humanism

Answer 3

A theory that stresses the potential of all humans, who have the same basic needs, regardless of culture, gender, or background.

Question 4

Big Five

Answer 4

The five basic clusters of personality traits that remain quite stable throughout adulthood: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Question 5

Living apart together (LAT)

Answer 5

The term for couples who are committed to each other and spend time together but maintain separate homes. LAT couples are increasingly common in the United states and Europe.

Question 6

Empty Nest

Answer 6

The time in the lives of parents when their children have left the family home to pursue their own lives.

Question 7

Social Convoy

Answer 7

Collectively, the family members, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who move through the years of life with a person, all aging together.

Question 8

Fictive Kin

Answer 8

People who become accepted as part of a family who have no genetic or legal relationship to that family.

Question 9

Kinkeeper

Answer 9

Someone who becomes the gatherer and communication hub for their family.

Question 10

Sandwich generation

Answer 10

The generation of middle-aged people who are supposedly “squeezed” by the needs of the younger and older members of the families.

Question 11

extrinsic rewards of work

Answer 11

The tangible benefits, usually in salary, insurance, pension, and status, that come with employment.

Question 12

intrinsic rewards of work

Answer 12

The personal gratifications, such as pleasure in a job well done or friendship with coworkers that accompany employment.

Question 13

Personality Development in Adulthood

Answer 13

Personality traits over the years of adulthood are quite stable, although many adults become closer to their culture’s ideal. The Big Five personality traits—openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—characterize personality at every age. Culture and context affect everyone.

Question 14

Intimacy: Connecting with Others

Answer 14

Friends are crucial for buffering stress and sharing secrets, for everyday companionship and guidance. This is true for both men and women, with younger adults having more friends but older adults preferring fewer, closer friends.

Question 15

Intimacy

Answer 15

Intimacy is a universal human need, satisfied in diverse ways, with romantic partners, friends, and family. Variations are evident, by culture and cohort.

Question 16

Generativity: The Work of Adulthood

Answer 16

Adults seek to be generative, successful, achieving, instrumental—all words used to describe a major psychosocial need that each adult meets in their own way.

Question 17

Parenthood and generativity

Answer 17

Parenthood is a common expression of generativity. Wanted and planned-for biological children pose challenges. Adoptive children, stepchildren, and especially foster children bring additional stresses. Nonetheless, many adults become generative by raising children.

Question 18

Who gives care?

Answer 18

Caregiving is more likely to flow from the older generations to the younger ones, so the “sandwich generation” metaphor is misleading. Many families have a kinkeeper, who aids generativity within the family.