socioemotional development in middle adulthood Flashcards
midlife-crisis
a stressful time in the early to middle 40s when adults are thought to evaluate their lives.
-only 10 to 20% report having midlife crisis
-not universal
-usually happens if an adult has experienced stress at another time
Generativity vs stagnation
cultivating a sense of generativity, a concern and sense of responsibility for future generations and society as a whole. In early midlife, generativity is often expressed through childrearing
-self-absorption that interferes with personal growth and prevents them from contributing to the welfare of others
seasons of life
set of life phases that levinson concluded adults progress through in which life structures are constructed, tested, and modified, based on experiences and opportunities
-starts as a dream
-reconsideration
-reexamine
-influenced by context
life structure
overall organization of a person’s life
meaning of life
the basis for value systems that underlie goals, aspirations, and behavior; and provides people with a sense of control over their lives
sexual activity
only slightly declines
-sex is associated with happiness and relationship satisfaction
-
possible selves
future oriented representations of self-concept into the future
self esteem
increases throughout middle adulthood
subjective age
how old one feels
-by age 30 adults tend to view themselves as younger
-compensatory strat to counteract the negative cultural messages associated with aging
-perceived control
perceived control
declines in late adulthood
-greater control has positive outcomes
gender identity
fathers today spend twice as much time doing household chores
-when children leae adults feel less tied to gender rolls
-men sensitive dependent
-women assertive and confident
androgyny
gender identity of those who score high on both instrumental and expressive traits
-predicts positive adjustment
-
big 5 personality traits
openness-open to experience
conscientiousness- tendency to be responsible
extroversion- social outgoingness
agreeableness- trusting, cooperative, helpful
neuroticism- negative emotionality
mean level change vs intraindividual change
how group means change overtime
-change within each person
-increases is conscientiousness, agreeableness and emotional abilities
-neurotics, extroversion and openness decline
strong _____ component to the stability of personality
genetic
-to reflect inherited predispositions that first emerge as temperament in infancy
-experience rarely causes dramatic change in personality
friendships
associated with well-being, positive affect, and self-esteem
-women more intimate
-men=activities
–protection against stress
-tend to decrease but still have a few close friends
marriage
-positive mental health
-highest in egalitarian relationships (equal)
-middle adulthood-marriage satisfaction increases
divorce
-occurs in first 10 years
-women more likely to initiate
-economic loss for women
-most people are resilient after divorce
parent-child relationship
infant
-social clock doesnt match
-older than othe parents
-feel better prepared
adolescents
-most stressful stage
-can make parents aware of passing time
Adults
-morefrienship-like
empty nest
all children leave
-causes first sad then more satisfaction
grandparenthood
coming significantly later
-but because of lifespan increases adults are spending a long time here
-relationship with children can influnce relationship with grandchildren
-
grandparent raising grandchildren
