Middle Adulthood Flashcards
Physical decline in middle adulthood
Signs of physical decline in some areas
Age related decline in athletic ability is inevitable
Endurance performance capacity declines from 35
Decline in strength is attributed to decreases in number of size of muscle fibres
Reaction time also begins to decay
Physical inactivity is related to increased risk of premature death
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Neurocognitive development (middle adulthood)
Continued neuroplasticity
London taxi study (pg 18)
Life experiences produce neuroplastic changes
Gender similarities hypothesis
‘Males and females are alike on most - but not all - psychological variables’
Generativity vs stagnation
Erikson’s 7th stage of psychosocial development referred to the dialectical conflict between generativity and stagnation
Generativity
Primarily the concern in establishing and guiding the next generation
Stagnation
Not well defined. Referred to as the polar opposite of generativity
Self-interest/self-absorption
No meaningful contribution to society
Cognitive development (middle adulthood)
Gains in cognitive capacity during adulthood are difficult to assess
Gains are specific to the individual
Problems faced everyday (eg work, leisure, home) promote cognitive development
Cognitive advancement results in specialised expertise
U-shaped curve of marriage satisfaction
Enchantment/honeymoon, disenchantment, re-enchantment
Reasons: Self-esteem Sexuality Children (empty nesters) Self-disclosure Leisure pursuits Equity Androgyny
Arranged marriage
Most common/socially acceptable
Marriage contract
Elope (marriage)
Escape disapproval by marrying in secret away from the community
Capture (marriage)
Future husband captures woman for marriage
Cultural differences in marital satisfaction
Arranged vs marrying for love
Personality compatibility more important for marriage satisfaction and longevity than manner of marriage
3 types of marriage in traditional aboriginal communities (arranged, elope, capture)
Empty-nest phase (middle adulthood)
Occurring earlier due to smaller families
Delayed due to higher education persists and difficulties associated with employment
Allows for dramatic increase in marital satisfaction
Reduced stress and time pressures increase partner interactions
Home-career balance: advantages and disadvantages for parents
Mature identity formation through employment
Role-overload: no time or energy to fully commit to work, parenting and relationship
Home-career balance: advantages and disadvantages of external childcare
Increased social interaction resulting in a more stimulating environment and greater independence
Increased risk of sickness and injury
Donal Super theory of career development (4 phases)
- Exploratory phase
- Establishment phase (22-44)
- Maintenance phase (age 45-60)
- Decline/disengagement phase
Robert Havighurst career development theory
- Becoming a productive person (age 25-39)
- Maintaining a productive society (age 40-69)
- Contemplating a productive and responsible life (age 70+)
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Daniel Levinson career development theory
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Douglas T. Hall career development theory
Protean careers (page 22)
Mid-career crisis
Consistent drop in self-esteem occurs in men at 40
Accompanied by intense self-doubt and questioning of values
Period of self-doubt is resolved by recognising goals or changing careers (may result in reduced performance due to lowering of expectations/drive)
The second career
Resolution of mid-career crisis may involve a career change
Disadvantages of career change
Financial insecurity
Periods of transition are stressful
Advantages of career change
Express a different aspect of personality
Learning new skills develops cognitive capacity
New career provides new and stimulating environment
Re-alignment of career goals with personal goals
Remedy organisational disillusionment
Leisure (middle adulthood)
Resembles play but difficult to define
Often viewed as a category of time: ‘free or unobligated time that does not involve work’
