Middle Adulthood Development
What is the age range for middle adulthood?
40-65 years old
What is very important to identity during this period?
Work/Career
What is a midlife crisis?
It is when someone takes a drastic measure to recapture their youth.
What is the stage of Erikson's Theory that focuses on middle adulthood?
Generativity vs. Stagnation
How many developmental tasks are there in middle adulthood according to Havighurst's Theory?
Seven
What are at least 3 common signs of aging?
Greying hair, wrinkles, menopause, the male climacteric, or a decline in energy, eyesight, hearing, and metabolism.
Marital satisfaction is something to consider when thinking about what?
Divorce
Do men or women usually have a midlife crisis surrounding the stigma of physically aging?
Women
What do the life structures include in Levinson's Theory of Adult Development?
Relationships, career, personal values, and cultures.
What is the social clock?
The social clock is when certain life events should happen according to culture and societal norms.
What part of cognitive development is the strongest during middle adulthood?
Cognitive functioning and creativity.
What does "Sandwich Generation" mean?
It is when people in middle adulthood are taking care of their aging parents and children at the same time.
Who are the three major populations at risk during middle adulthood?
Immigrants, Individuals with health risks, and Individuals experiencing family stress.
What does generativity mean in Erikson's Theory?
Generativity is building connections between generations and is often done through caring for future generations and/or mentoring.
What are some risks for people who aren't aligned with the social clock?
There is a higher risk of depression, anxiety, isolation, and negative self-esteem.
In middle adulthood people often revisit goals made during which period of their life?
Adolescence and Early Adulthood.
Why is retirement so difficult for people in the middle adulthood stage?
Because their work is tied to their identity so they often find no longer going to work to be a struggle.
What are some struggles that people with diverse backgrounds face in this stage?
Economic inequality, career related stress/instability, loss of status, and limited access to services.
What are the four middle adulthood transitions in Levinson's Theory?
40-45: Middle Adult Transition
45-50: Early Life Structure
50-55: Age 50 Transition
55-60: Culminating Phase
What is the third developmental task in Havighurst's Theory?
Assisting teenage children to become responsible and happy adults.
Cognitive and emotional/social development connects to which theory we have discussed?
Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development
Healthy lifestyle choices strongly influence what later in life?
Aging, quality of life, improved mental health, reduced rates of depression and anxiety, and better (cognitive) functioning.
What year was the study of midlife crises in women, I looked at, published?
2025
What are three Mezzo factors related to middle adulthood?
Marriage and partnerships, parenting adolescent/adult children, workplace (relationships and environment), and community support systems.
We talked a lot about Havighurst's Developmental Task Theory. What is Havighurst's first name?
Robert