Psychology lifespan
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Emotional and Social Development
in
Middle Adulthood
DISCUSSION
Divorce Rate
Job Loss
On-Line Dating
“Looking Young”
OVERVIEW
Theorists
Personality
Relationships
Career
Review Questions
THEORISTS
Erikson
Generativity vs. Stagnation
The “generative shift” (helping the next generation, contribute to society)
continues and expands in middle adulthood
Stagnation – A loss of interest or purpose (been there done that), self-centered
Mid life crisis
Levinson
Theory: The Seasons of Life / “Eras” of life
40 – 45: Transition period
Mid life crisis, time is more precious -> big or small life changes
“Young – Old”: How to be young and old (e.g. appearance, physical activity)
“Creation– Destruction”: Guilt over previous wrong doings and a desire to create a legacy
Masculinity – Femininity: A desire for androgyny, balance masc./fem. traits
Engagement – Separateness: A desire to be part of the world and time for the self (women- the loss of motherhood)
Take care of relationships rather than focus on career, or follow a passion instead of taking care of a family
PERSONALITY
Self-Concept – Now more broadly defined
Possible Selves (want to be AND afraid to be)
This is the “temporal” part of the “self”
Ideal Self vs. Real Self
What I am, what I was, what I want to be…
Self-Acceptance: Tends to be greater at this stage
Autonomy: Decreasing concern for social approval
No concern for what others think
Issues:
Work status
Family status
Increase in one’s roles in life
RELATIONSHIPS, p.1
Marriage
Most divorce within five to ten years (rater over 50 has doubled)
Most remarry (not as stressed following divorce)
Custody changes
“Feminization of poverty” (female majority among poverty-stricken)
Falling in Western nations, but highest among US than other WN)
Parent-Child
“Letting go” (co-regulation)
Empty nest (covered)
Changes to the social clock for when children leave home
“Kinkeeper” (aka family patriarch / matriarch)
Changes in the family (now you have in-laws)
RELATIONSHIPS, p.2
Sandwich Generation (already covered)
Grandparenthood
Who chooses this change?
In most societies this is a valued role (age and wisdom)
Potential Benefits
Valued elder
Immortality
Re involvement
Indulgence (send them home when you are done)
RELATIONSHIPS, p.3
Siblings
During this stage we tend to decrease the time we spend with siblings
Overall connectedness stays strong
Friends
Due to changes in family, time for friends increases
Friendships serve a complimentary role to those with family
CAREER
Job Satisfaction
Often improves with this stage (power and money)
Retirement Planning
The “Glass Ceiling”
Anticipatory socialization
Mandatory retirement
Money / Social Security / Housing
Burnout: A condition in which long term job stress leads to mental exhaustion, a sense of loss of personal control, and feelings of reduced accomplishment.
Most common in the helping professions, teaching and, human services
REVIEW QUESTIONS
T/F Job satisfaction tends to bottom out during this stage.
T/F In comparison to the start of our career, one’s income is lower at this stage.
T/F Siblings are never more important than during this stage.