Chapter 10 Adulthood

Objectives Describe the physical, sexual and intellectual changes that occur during adulthood Identify recent research related to older adults Identify, describe, and critique the stages of dying

Adulthood Psychologists are learning that adulthood is a period of change and transition. Developmental tasks that adults must meet: identifying and performing well in an occupation, social and civic responsibilities, relating to one’s spouse, finding satisfying leisure activities, helping teenage children become responsible adults, adjusting to the physical changes of adulthood, and relating to one’s aging parents (Havighurst, 1972).

Physical Changes During Adulthood Physical decline is slow and gradual – not able to notice, even on a month to month basis Menopause – a period of time during which a woman’s production of sex hormones drop sharply Women can’t conceive children after menopause

Social and Personality Development Personality is flexible and capable of change Can change in adulthood as we encounter new developmental tasks Levinson’s Theory of Male Development (pg 248) Three main stages: 17-40, 40-60, 60-death Important transition periods at ages 30, 40, 50, 60 that last approx. 5 years each

Levinson’s Theory of Male Development Age-thirty Crisis – occurs between the ages of 28-30, where a man will seriously reevaluate all the major decisions in his life Marriage partner, career, life goals Any unsatisfying parts of life must be attended to now, or it may become too late

Levinson’s Theory of Male Development The mid-life transition – occurs around age 40 A man asks himself questions, but these questions concern the past as well as the future Generativity vs. stagnation

Old Age Fear of growing old is very common. Decremental model of aging – physical and mental decline is inevitable with age Chronological age is what makes people “old” Ageism – prejudice against old people

Death and Dying Awareness of Dying – Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss (1965) Closed awareness – doctor/family are aware of condition, but the patient is not Suspected awareness – patients have an idea of the severity of their illness

Death and Dying Mutual pretense awareness – doctors/family pretend with the patient that they don’t know the severity of the illness Open awareness – doctors, family and patient openly acknowledge the illness and its effects

Death and Dying Elizabeth Kubler-Ross – pioneer work on how the terminally ill react to their impending death Thanatology – the study of death and dying

Death and Dying Kubler-Ross – identified five stages of psychological adjustments that terminally ill patients have to make Stage 1 – Denial – “No, this can’t be happening to me.” Stage 2 – Anger – “Why me?” – Patients may alienate themselves.

Death and Dying Stage 3 – Bargaining – People change their attitude/bargain with fate. Stage 4 – Depression – Upset over the loss that is inevitable; family, friends. Stage 5 – Acceptance – Struggle is over, experience a sense of calm.

Ch 9 (Stuff I Missed) Sex identity – results from biological inheritance Vagina = female Penis = male Sex role – defined partly by genetic makeup but mainly by the society and culture we live in Tell us how we are supposed to look, behave, think and feel