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Middle Adulthood

Middle Adulthood. Adapted from Arnett’s Human Development: A Cultural Approach, 1 st Edition. What changes do people undergo during middle adulthood? What are the “good things” that are associated with middle age? What is generativity?

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Middle Adulthood

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  1. Middle Adulthood Adapted from Arnett’s Human Development: A Cultural Approach, 1st Edition • What changes do people undergo during middle adulthood? • What are the “good things” that are associated with middle age? • What is generativity? • What is a major risk associated with the sandwich generation?

  2. Information Processing in Middle AdulthoodSpeed, Attention, and Memory • Perceptual speed declines in middle adulthood • Decline in ability to focus attention • Disregard the irrelevant information • Decline in ability for divided attention

  3. Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence • Two kinds of intelligence • Fluid intelligence—information processing, discerning relations and processing speed • Crystallized intelligence—accumulation of knowledge • Fluid intelligence rises and declines • _____________________________ • Not a large decline in memory tasks

  4. The Peak of Expertise • _____________________________ • Experience important • Allows for efficient processing of information • Leads to automaticity • A form of crystallized intelligence

  5. Self-Development • Self-Development peaks: • Self-acceptance favorable • Identity seems more favorable • Increased autonomy • Collectivist cultures • May emphasize relations to others more than self-development

  6. Gender Issues in Midlife • Midlife sees a decline in restrictive gender roles • India—Middle adulthood women gain position in the family and in religious matters • In many cultures women in midlife are still deemed unattractive • Cultures vary in women achieving status and authority

  7. More Gender Issues in Midlife • More opportunity but still not equal • High status tradeoff • Could cause frustration as women have to sacrifice family goals for status • Men more flexible in midlife • Marital roles more egalitarian but women still do bulk of household chores

  8. Empty Nesters and “Boomerang” Children • Mid-life parents have young adult or emerging adulthood children • Unmarried adult children at home tend to be welcomed—Southern Europe and Japan • Adult children leaving the home is both sad and happy time—Northern Europe, U.S., UK • Returning home positive if there are goals • Parents still provide financial support

  9. Grandparenting • Becoming a grandparent is a new role • Daily household chores including childcare • Involvement influenced by distance, and relationship with in-laws • Daughter-in-law relationship important • Grandmothers tend to be more involved • Role tends to be enjoyed

  10. Generativity • Erikson’s theory—Generativity versus Stagnation • Generativity is the motivation to contribute to the well-being of future generations • Parenting, mentorship, tutoring

  11. The Midlife Crisis (Myth?) • Jung credited with coining the term mid-life crisis • Levinson and Jung believed it a time of feeling confusion and turmoil • Research has failed to find consistent evidence of a midlife crisis • Negative life events can occur but not specific to middle adulthood

  12. Personality Personality largely remains stable by some measurements Some changes may occur throughout the lifespan

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