Experiencing The Lifespan JANET BELSKY Experiencing The Lifespan 3rd edition Chapter 12: Midlife Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Table 12.1 Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Table 12.2 McAdams’s Generative Concern Scale JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Figure 12.1 The relationship between experiencing adverse life events and life satisfaction among a national sample of U.S. adults: Notice from the chart that adults who report no upsetting events in their life history are more distressed than people who have experienced a few past traumas. But after a moderate “adversity level” threshold, happiness declines. JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Table 12.3 Happiness Perceptions and Interesting Research Facts JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Figure 12.2 Age-related changes in mean scores on the performance and verbal scales of the WAIS: This chart shows the pattern of decline from a study using the early form of the WAIS. Notice how average scores on the performance scale regularly slid down starting in the twenties, while scores on the verbal scale remained more stable with age. JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Figure 12.3 Changes in two intellectual abilities over the decades in the Seattle Longitudinal Study: Notice that scores on a test demanding a heavier component of fluid skills (word fluency, which asks people to name as many words as they can starting with a letter such as A, within a time limit) decrease after the late 40s; while those on a totally crystallized test (vocabulary) stay stable into the 60s. But in general, intellectual abilities are at their peak in the 50s and decline in old age. JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Figure 12.4 Age-related changes in the career paths of geniuses and of less eminent creators: This chart shows that people reach their peak period of creativity in midlife. However, the most gifted geniuses stand head and shoulders above their contemporaries at every age. JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Table 12.4 Using Selective Optimization with Compensation to Construct a Fulfilling Life JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Figure 12.5 Age distribution of “wisdom” scores as judged by the way a random sample of Michigan adults of different ages reasons about scenarios involving ethnic and social conflicts: In this interesting study, notice that wisdom rates dramatically rise among the people in their sixties (blue dots), although about half of all elderly adults don’t make it into the wise category (red dots). JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Table 12.5 How to Flourish During Adulthood: A Summary Table JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Table 12.6 Stereotypes and Facts About Menopause JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers

Table 12.7 Staying Passionate About Sex with Age JANET BELSKY Copyright © 2013, 2011 by Worth Publishers