socioemotional development in middle adulthood

Question 1

midlife-crisis

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Generativity vs stagnation

Answer 2

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

Question 3

seasons of life

Answer 3

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

Question 4

life structure

Answer 4

overall organization of a person’s life

Question 5

meaning of life

Answer 5

the basis for value systems that underlie goals, aspirations, and behavior; and provides people with a sense of control over their lives

Question 6

sexual activity

Answer 6

only slightly declines
-sex is associated with happiness and relationship satisfaction
-

Question 7

possible selves

Answer 7

future oriented representations of self-concept into the future

Question 8

self esteem

Answer 8

increases throughout middle adulthood

Question 9

subjective age

Answer 9

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

Question 10

perceived control

Answer 10

declines in late adulthood
-greater control has positive outcomes

Question 11

gender identity

Answer 11

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

Question 12

androgyny

Answer 12

gender identity of those who score high on both instrumental and expressive traits
-predicts positive adjustment
-

Question 13

big 5 personality traits

Answer 13

openness-open to experience
conscientiousness- tendency to be responsible
extroversion- social outgoingness
agreeableness- trusting, cooperative, helpful
neuroticism- negative emotionality

Question 14

mean level change vs intraindividual change

Answer 14

how group means change overtime
-change within each person
-increases is conscientiousness, agreeableness and emotional abilities
-neurotics, extroversion and openness decline

Question 15

strong _____ component to the stability of personality

Answer 15

genetic
-to reflect inherited predispositions that first emerge as temperament in infancy
-experience rarely causes dramatic change in personality

Question 16

friendships

Answer 16

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

Question 17

marriage

Answer 17

-positive mental health
-highest in egalitarian relationships (equal)
-middle adulthood-marriage satisfaction increases

Question 18

divorce

Answer 18

-occurs in first 10 years
-women more likely to initiate
-economic loss for women
-most people are resilient after divorce

Question 19

parent-child relationship

Answer 19

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

Question 20

empty nest

Answer 20

all children leave
-causes first sad then more satisfaction

Question 21

grandparenthood

Answer 21

coming significantly later
-but because of lifespan increases adults are spending a long time here
-relationship with children can influnce relationship with grandchildren
-

Question 22

grandparent raising grandchildren