Life Project

408 Chapter 8

PHYSICALDEWLOPMENT IN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD

COCNITIW DEWLOPMENT IN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD

o Terri has developed expertise and a high competency in her work as an urban planner, which brings her continued success even though midlife brings an overall decline in intellectual skills. (p.382)

o Her understanding of what is involved in urban planning allows Terri to quickly evaluate a potential project, see what's involved, and decide if it interests her. (pp.382-38s)

. It is likely that Terri has a great deal of practical intelligence in addition to the more traditional kind. (p. 383)

SOCIAId.]\trD PERSONAI,Iry DEWLA?MENTIN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD

. Though Terri is in midlife trarsition, the actions she takes to find more connected relationships, and to change her career in a way that's truly satis$zing to he1, result in growth rather than stagnation. (pp. 388-390)

o Terri's openness to new experiences, her extraversion, and her talent for organization are personality traits that have remained stable throughout her life. (p. 391)

o Volunteering in her local soup kitchen, running for state legislature, and rekindling her romance with her husband eased any sadness Terri might have experienced when her youngest child left for college. (p.3e6)

. Although certain chronic dis- eases, like arthritis and hyper- tension, do begin to appear in midlife, like most middle-aged adults, Terri is in good health. @.37a)

. Walking helps Terri stay healthy and agile as she ages, a goal shared by many of her same-age peers. (pp. 374-376)

. If Terri makes walking a reguiar exercise, it will compensate for the gradual loss of strength that occurs in middle adulthood. @.374)

. With an easing of obliga- tions to her children, Terri has more time and energy to enjoy sex r.r,ith her husband. However, if she hasn't gone through menopause, she will still need to use contraception. (pp.366-371)