The Journey of Adulthood

by Bee

• ISBN13: 9780023081163
• ISBN10: 0023081163
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1995-07-01
• Publisher: PRENTICE HALL

Summary

This best-selling book discusses the aspects of ¿successful aging,¿ covering growth and development from young adulthood to old age, and the impact that culture, gender, and individual differences have on these processes. Its conversational and positive tone keeps readers interested in the subject matter, as it encourages them to apply the concepts of the book to their own lives. It presents research findings, theories, and models from the fields of developmental psychology, social psychology, health psychology, sociology, and others to discuss topics of prevention, compensation, gains, and losses. For psychologists, sociologists, and gerontologists interested in a valuable resource for information about the aging process.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
Defining the Journey: Some Assumptions, Definitions, and Methods	p. 1
Explaining Development in Adulthood	p. 5
Explaining Stability in Adulthood	p. 11
Asking the Questions: Research Designs and Methods	p. 15
Finding the Answers: Collecting and Analyzing Data	p. 21
Theories of Adult Development	p. 31
Conceptual Organization of Theories	p. 32
Theories of Developmental Progress With Stages	p. 33
Developmental Progress Without Stages: Vaillant's Theory of Adaptation to Life	p. 40
Theories of Developmental Change With Stages	p. 41
Theories of Developmental Change Without Stages	p. 50
Additional Theoretical Complexities	p. 53
Some Shared Flaws and Weaknesses in the Theories	p. 54
Physical Changes	p. 59
Theories of Primary Aging	p. 60
Longevity, Life Expectancy, and Life Span	p. 64
Physical Changes over Adulthood	p. 66
The Effects of Physical Aging on Behavior	p. 83
Pulling the Threads Together: An Overview of Physical Changes in Adulthood	p. 88
Some Recurring Themes and Remaining Questions	p. 89
Health and Health Habits	p. 101
Age-Related Patterns in Health and Disease	p. 101
Age Changes in Specific Diseases	p. 107
Age Changes in Mental Health	p. 113
Individual Differences in Health and Disease	p. 118
A Review of Age-Related Health Changes	p. 126
Changes in Cognitive Abilities	p. 133
Intelligence	p. 133
Memory	p. 140
Real-World Cognition	p. 146
Individual Differences in Cognitive Change	p. 153
Review of Age Changes and Search for Balance	p. 160
Social Roles	p. 165
Social Role Transitions	p. 166
Gender Roles and Gender Stereotypes	p. 167
Social Roles in Early Adulthood	p. 169
Social Roles in Middle Adulthood	p. 180
Social Roles in Late Adulthood	p. 187
Social Roles in Atypical Families	p. 189
The Effect of Variations in Timing	p. 192
Development of Relationships	p. 199
Development of Adult Relationships: Some Theories	p. 200
Intimate Partnerships in Adulthood	p. 205
Relationships with Other Family Members	p. 222
Friendships in Adulthood	p. 228
Review of Social Relationships in Adulthood	p. 230
Work and Retirement	p. 239
Importance of Work in Adulthood	p. 240
Selecting a Career	p. 245
Age Trends in Work Experience	p. 250
Work and Personal Life	p. 254
Retirement	p. 262
Effects of Retirement	p. 267
A Concluding Note	p. 273
Personality Stability and Change	p. 279
Personality Trait Structures	p. 280
Personality Development	p. 290
Personality Stability or Change	p. 302
The Growth of Meaning	p. 310
Why a Chapter on the Growth of Meaning?
How Can We Study Possible Age Changes in Meaning Systems?	p. 311
Religious Participation over Adulthood	p. 312
The Development of Meaning Systems over Adulthood	p. 313
Integrating Meaning and Personality: A Preliminary Theoretical Synthesis	p. 323
The Process of Transition	p. 326
Commentary and Conclusions	p. 328
Stress and Resistance	p. 334
A Few Theories of Stress	p. 336
Effects of Stress on Adult Functioning	p. 340
Individual Differences in Stress Experience and Response	p. 343
Resistance Resources	p. 347
Specific Types of Stressful Events in Adulthood	p. 352
Themes of Adult Development	p. 363
Young Adulthood: From 18 to 25	p. 365
Early Adulthood: From 25 to 40	p. 366
Middle Adulthood: From 40 to 65	p. 368
Late Adulthood: From 65 to 75	p. 372
Late-Late Adulthood: From 75 Until Death	p. 374
Death and Dying	p. 381
The Meanings of Death	p. 381
Fear and Anxiety About Death	p. 382
Preparation for Death	p. 384
The Process of Dying	p. 384
Where Death Occurs	p. 389
Physician-Assisted Suicide	p. 392
After Death: Rituals and Grieving	p. 393
Living and Dying: A Final Word	p. 397
The Successful Journey: Individual Differences in Adult Development	p. 401
Variations in Successful Adult Development	p. 402
A Model of Adult Growth and Development: Trajectories and Pathways	p. 409
A Last Look at the Model	p. 415
References	p. 419
Glossary	p. 453
Credits	p. 469
Author Index	p. 472
Subject Index	p. 477
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