Case study for parents [course; Theories of human behavior]
Ann1018
TheoriesonMiddleAdulthood.pptxTheories on Middle Adulthood
Adults aged roughly 40 - 64
Theories of Middle Adulthood: Erikson’s Theory of Generativity
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Generativity - The ability to transcend personal interests to provide care and concern for generations
Characterized by productivity, creativity, guidance, inspiration, instruction, and leadership
Erikson saw generativity as an instinct that works to perpetuate society
Social workers most likely to encounter people who struggle with a sense of stagnation in middle adulthood
Theories of Middle Adulthood: Erikson’s Theory of Generativity
Failure to find way to contribute to future generations results in self-absorption and sense of stagnation
Generativity associated with gender, class, and race
Generativity increases with educational level and income
Black adults score higher than white adults
Most studies show greater generativity during middle adulthood than in young adulthood or late adulthood
Men who had never been fathers scored low on measures of generativity but not being a mother did not have same effect on women
Theories of Middle Adulthood Cont.: Jung’s and Levinson’s Theories of Finding Balance
Time when individuals attempt to find balance in several ways
Reclaiming parts of the self that were repressed in the search for conformity in first half of life.
From stereotyped gender-role behavior to an androgynous behavior repertoire
From extroversion to introversion
During transition to middle adulthood, individuals balance four opposing aspects of identity:
Young versus old
Creation versus destruction
Feminine versus masculine
Attachment versus separating
Theories of Middle Adulthood Cont.: Jung’s and Levinson’s Theories of Finding Balance
Women in this stage are more decisive, action oriented and assertive
Research shows in late midlife, women’s emotional satisfaction was correlated with bodily sexual practices, and men’s physical pleasured was associated with relationship factors, a finding that contradicts gender stereotypes
“Expansion of gender roles” more accurate than “gender role crossover”
Theories of Middle Adulthood Cont.: Life Span Theory and Gain-Loss Balance
Human development is lifelong, and no age period is supreme in the development trajectory. Midlife cannot be studied in isolation; it must be studied in terms of both its antecedents and its consequences.
Development involves both gains and losses. In midlife, there is a tie in the relationship between gains and losses.
Biological influences on development become more negative, and cultural support becomes more important with increasing age in adulthood. A distinction can be made between early and late midlife.
Even though challenges increase and biological resources decrease in midlife, there is still possibility for change.
The experience of midlife adults may depend on cultural and historical contexts.
SOURC: Adapted from Staudinger & Black, 2001, pp. 17-18
Theories of Middle Adulthood Cont.: Life Span Theory and Gain-Loss Balance
In midlife, there is a tie in the balance of gains and losses
Evidence of gains in self-esteem and emotional maturity and of losses in biological functioning
Gains and losses are dependent on cultural contexts
In Samoa, middle adulthood is associated with political power and physical decline is not given any importance
