CH16 Flashcards
Erikson’s seventh stage of psychosocial
development, in which the middle-aged
adult develops a concern with
establishing, guiding, and influencing
the next generation or else experiences
stagnation (a sense of inactivity or
lifelessness).
generativity versus stagnation
Erikson’s term for concern of mature
adults for finding meaning through
contributing to society and leaving a
legacy for future generations.
generativity
In some normative-crisis models,
stressful life period precipitated by the
review and reevaluation of one’s past,
typically occurring in the early to
middle forties.
midlife crisis
Psychological transitions that involve
significant change or transformation in
the perceived meaning, purpose, or
direction of a person’s life.
turning point
Introspective examination that often
occurs in middle age, leading to
reappraisal and revision of values and
priorities.
midlife review
The ability to adapt flexibly and
resourcefully to potential sources of
stress.
ego-resiliency
Whitbourne’s theory of identity
development based on processes of
assimilation and accommodation.
identity process theory (IPT)
Accumulated perceptions of the self
shaped by incoming information from
intimate relationships, work-related
situations, and community and other
experiences.
identity schemas
Whitbourne’s term for effort to fit new
experience into an existing
self-concept.
identity assimilation
Whitbourne’s term for a tendency to
balance assimilation and
accommodation.
identity balance
Theory, proposed by Kahn and
Antonucci, that people move through
life surrounded by concentric circles of
intimate relationships on which they rely
for assistance, well-being, and social
support.
social convoy theory
Theory, proposed by Carstensen, that
people select social contacts on the
basis of the changing relative
importance of social interaction as a
source of information, as an aid in
developing and maintaining a selfconcept, and as a source of emotional
well-being.
socioemotional selectivity theory
financial and emotional benefits built
up during a long-standing marriage,
which tend to hold a couple together.
marital capital
Transitional phase of parenting
following the last child’s leaving the
parents’ home.
empty nest
Tendency for young adults who have
left home to return to their parents’
household in times of financial, marital,
or other trouble.
revolving door syndrome
In Marcoen’s terminology, normative
development of middle age, in which
adults learn to balance love and duty to
their parents with autonomy within a
two-way relationship.
filial crisis
Middle-aged adults squeezed by
competing needs to raise or launch
children and to care for elderly parents.
sandwich generation
Condition of physical, mental, and
emotional exhaustion affecting adults
who provide continuous care for sick or
aged persons.
caregiver burnout
substitute supervised care by
visiting nurses or home health aides
Respite care
