Chapter 12 Early and Middle Adulthood

Erikson: Psychosocial Development Early Adulthood (20–40 years) Challenge Intimacy versus isolation Necessary accomplishments Choose relationship style, select occupation, build independence Virtues Affiliation, love

Erikson: Psychosocial Development (cont’d) Middle Adulthood (40–65 years) Challenge Generativity versus stagnation Necessary accomplishments Develop self, plan retirement, raise family, enhance relationships Virtues Production, caring, cooperation

Question Which of the following are accomplishments in early adulthood? a. Establish intimacy b. Climb corporate ladder c. Learn new activities d. Participate in recreation e. Pass on learning

Answer a. Establish intimacy In early adulthood, necessary accomplishments include choosing relationships, selecting an occupation, and building independence. Climbing the corporate ladder, learning new activities, participating in recreation, and passing on learning are accomplishments in middle adulthood.

Life Choices Made During Early Adulthood 20 to 30 Years Leaving home of origin Choosing a career Related to education, economic situation, goals, abilities, and interests Establishing an adult identification Influence of families, peers, and surrounding cultural attitudes

Life Choices Made During Early Adulthood (cont’d) 20 to 30 Years Establishing adult relationships For protection, to share expenses, or to escape the parental home Starting a family Establish careers, become financially secure before marriage or having children Reappraising commitments Restlessness, confusion, and doubt become common; may consider career change

Life Choices Made During Early Adulthood (cont’d) 30 to 40 Years Settling in Purchase home, comfortable with relationships Making career decisions Marital interaction time, family time, and childrearing responsibilities

Life Choices Made During Early Adulthood (cont’d) 30 to 40 Years Addressing women’s issues Career goals and motherhood can conflict Facing transitions Growing children spend more time away from home Feelings of loss and loneliness

Question Is the following statement true or false? Adults do not reappraise commitments until middle adulthood.

Answer False During early adulthood, from about ages 28 to 32, individuals often make new choices and reappraise previous commitments. Adults who married young may question staying with their partners.

Development in Middle Adulthood Addressing midlife transitions or midlife crisis Visualizing their own aging Feeling they have failed to achieve goals Failing to resolve this stage may result in Brooding, physical illness, suicide, chemical dependency, and depression

Development in Middle Adulthood (cont’d) Role changes Children turn into adults Former children become responsible caregivers Sandwich generation Perceiving one’s own mortality Death becomes more of a reality

Development in Middle Adulthood (cont’d) Re-establishing equilibrium Life becomes more peaceful Spend more time with grandchildren Planning for retirement Develop interests and hobbies Plan finances Move to simple living arrangements

Question Which of the following refer to midlife crisis or midlife transition? (Select all that apply.) a. Begin to feel panicky b. Unable to accept aging c. Care for aging parents and growing children d. Set aside personal interests e. Sense of failure

Answer a. Begin to feel panicky b. Unable to accept aging e. Sense of failure Individuals facing midlife crisis may be unable to accept aging, develop a sense of failure, and begin to feel panicky. Individuals of the sandwich generation set aside their interests to care for aging parents and growing children.

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