Chapter 12 LECTURE 8 PART I Flashcards
Middle Adulthood
What is the definition of middle adulthood?
The period of development after the early adult years but before retirement
What ages does middle adulthood consist of?
40-65
-Some theorists suggest what?
-What do others express?
-that developmental changes are gradual and progressive
-the concept of passing through distinct stages
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
-What stage are they in according to Erikson?
Generativity vs. stagnation
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
-Maintaining what is important?
A positive self-image
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
-What is identity accommodation?
-Example?
-It is necessary to accommodate to what?
-changing the concept of one’s own identity to fit reality, rather than what was dreamed
-Adapting to new identities bc there are new roles that you are entering, such as being a housewife
-a different identity
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
-The effect of the ___ or ___ on continued ______ and _____ stability is important
-spouse
-signficant other
-development
-life
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
-What is the basic virtue during middle adulthood?
-Explain
-Care
-Caring for other people/society
GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION
-Erikson believes that generativity emcompasses what?
adults’ desire to leave a legacy to the next generation
GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION
-Through generativity, adults achieve what?
-Through generativity, adults promote and guide who?
-a kind of immortality by leaving their legacy
-those who follow by parenting, teaching, leading, doing things to benefit the community
GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION
-What is another way to describe stagnation?
-How does it develop?
-Self-absorption
-When individuals sense that they have done nothing for the next generation
ERIKSON PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY: Generativity
-This includes reaching out to who?
-Extending commitment….
-Generativity may be realized through what?
-to others in ways that give to and guide the next generation
-beyond self and others
-parenting, work, and mentoring relationships
ERIKSON PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY: Stagnation
-They are usually what?
-They have a lack of interest in what?
-What do they focus on?
-What do they have little interest in? Give an example.
-self-centered or self-absorbed
-in young people
-what they can get from others, not what they can give
-being productive at work or developing talents
–> EX: a nurse who is bedside for 30 years & is rude when a young nurse comes and achieves more than her (nurse practitioner, etc.) → the nurse is upset because they didn’t achieve more
CHARACTERISTICS OF GENERATIVITY & STAGNATION: Generativity
1. They have an attitude of ____ and ____
2. They are (open/closed) to _____
3. (Tolerant/Intolerant) of differences
4. What kind of tendencies do they have?
5. (Broad/narrow) scope of ______
6. _____ focused (____ generation)
7. Conscious of being what?
8. ______ mentor, (motivated/unmotivated) to share _____
9. Encourages others to _____ in their own _____ and ______
10. Emphasis on what values?
- care and inclusion
- Open; experience
- Tolerant
- Creative-productive
- Broad; concern
- Other-focused; next
- a guide
- Generous; motivated; knowledge
- Lead; style; voice
- Interpersonal
CHARACTERISTICS OF GENERATIVITY & STAGNATION: Stagnation
1. They have an attitude of ____ (_____)
2. They are (open/closed) to _____
3. (Tolerant/Intolerant) of differences
4. What kind of tendencies do they have?
5. (Broad/narrow) scope of ______
6. (Non-self absorbed/self-absorbed) (Example)
7. ______-interested, strict what?
8. Little self-____ _____ & outreach to _____
9. Mostly enfources current ____ & _____
10. Emphasis on what values?
- Exclusion (rejectivity)
- Closed; experience
- Intolerant
- Conservative
- Narrow; concern
- Self-absorbed; What I want now
- Self-interested; self-reliance
- self-less giving; others
- practices; conventions
- instrumental
CHALLENGES
-What is necessary to prevent a decrease in problem-solving skills?
-What are some things they can do?
-Maintaining optimum cognitive functioning
-Crossword puzzles, reading every day, and doing math problems
CHALLENGES
-What is important to maintain psychological well-being?
-Adjusting to changes in relationships with coworkers, friends, and family
CHALLENGES
-At this point, many middle-aged adults may continue what?
Their education
CHALLENGES
-What kinds of vulnerabilities exist?
-Why?
-Financial
-Children going to college, mortgage, caring for aging parents
CHALLENGES
-What are 5 major, negative challenges that they may experience?
- Marital separation
- Divorce
- Major illness or injury
- Loss of income
- Unplanned pregnancy
CHALLENGES
-Why do they tend to get a divorce around this age?
Because the children are going off to college or becoming independent & the child was what was keeping them together
CHALLENGES
-What is empty nest syndrome?
-What feelings can it lead to?
-grown children start to leave home for the first time
-social isolation and stress
THE EMPTY NEST AND ITS REFILLING
-It is characterized by a decrease in what?
-Why?
-marital satisfaction
-due to the children’s departure, which leaves parents with an empty feeling
THE EMPTY NEST AND ITS REFILLING
-Which kinds of parents are more likely to experience the empty nest syndrome?
Parents who live vicariously through their children
THE EMPTY NEST AND ITS REFILLING
-Most parents experience less marital satisfaction (T/F).
-Explain.
-False
-Most parents DO NOT experience less marital satisfaction
-In fact for many it increases after their children have left home
MIDLIFE TRANSITION. VS. MIDLIFE CRISIS
-Middle adulthood is a time of what?
-Adults become more aware of what?
-What may it lead to?
self-reflection, reevaluation, and prioritization
-mortality
-despair
MIDLIFE TRANSITION. VS. MIDLIFE CRISIS: Midlife Transition
-What is midlife transition?
-Give an example
-When they realign themselves with this next stage of life in a healthy way
-New hobbies, changing careers
MIDLIFE TRANSITION. VS. MIDLIFE CRISIS: Midlife crisis
-Adults experiencing a midlife crisis may grieve what?
-What do they try to make up for?
-What may they start engaging in? Examples?
-lost youth and missed opportunities
-lost opportunities
-behaviors that are atypical for their character, such as going to the club, buying expensive things, and dating younger people
MIDLIFE TRANSITION
-What age does this consist of?
40-45
MIDLIFE TRANSITION
-What do individuals reevaluate?
-Example?
-their life choices, goals, and commitments
-changing career or going back to school
MIDLIFE TRANSITION
-What do these individuals question?
-What do they consider?
-past decisions
-significant changes to their life structure (work, relationships, social roles)
MIDLIFE TRANSITION
-_____ and ____ of priorities
-What do they feel?
-Introspection and reevaluation
-a sense of urgency about life and its meaning
LEVINSON: ENTERING MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
-What ages does this consist of?
45-50
LEVINSON: ENTERING MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
-What do they commit to?
the new life choices made during the “midlife transition” phase
LEVINSON: ENTERING MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
-What do they solidify?
-What do they focus their energy on?
-changes
-building a new life structure based on those adjustments
LEVINSON: ENTERING MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
-This is a period of settling into what?
The new direction chosen during the reevaluation phase of midlife
LEVINSON: ENTERING MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
-If the midlife transition was NOT successfully navigated, entering middle adulthood could be accompanied by what?
continued uncertaintly and dissatisfaction
