Life-Course Theories in Emerging Adulthood Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Life-Course Theories Describe changes in behaviour in age- graded patterns as individuals mature Behaviour of individuals results from inner psychological changes in response to life circumstances Sometimes called developmental theories Life-course theories (LCTs) are created by analyzing the behaviours of large groups of individuals over a long period of time Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

LCTs began to appear in the 1950s LCTs reflect the historical and cultural context in which the researchers conducted their studies Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Examples of Life-Course Theories Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages of Life Klaus Riegel’s Dimensions of Development Jane Loevinger’s Theory of Ego Development The Family Life-Cycle Framework Leonard Pearlin’s Theory of Psychological Distress Daniel Levinson’s Theory of the Seasons of Life Jeffrey Arnett’s Theory of Emerging Adulthood Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development A series of 8 stages in which an individual’s identity (stable awareness of who one is & what one does & believes) emerges & matures Each stage presents a dilemma that must be overcome or the person might face difficulties later in life Psychological & social clocks impact progression through stages Dilemma during adolescence & young adulthood is defined as “identity vs. role confusion” Dilemma during young adulthood is “intimacy vs. isolation” Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Identity vs. Role Confusion The task is to define who you are and who you will be in the future There are many decisions to be made during this time that will impact on the future Until they define who they are, adolescents & young adults will remain confused about the role they will play in adulthood By resolving the dilemma, individuals acquire the strength of fidelity - the ability to live by society’s standards Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Intimacy vs. Isolation Intimacy is being able to merge yourself with another without losing yourself Intimacy is the ability to trust a person enough to reveal your personal thoughts and feelings to them Includes relationships with all people— friends, dating partner, etc. Erikson believes that relationships would be shallow without an identity Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Klaus Riegel’s Dimensions of Development Development does not occur in predictable stages. It occurs as individuals adjust to internal & external changes The 4 interrelated dimensions of development are: Internal psychological dimension: emotional maturity, independence, maturity of mental processes Internal biological dimension: physical & sexual maturity External cultural-sociological dimension: expectations & opportunities defined by society External environmental dimension: physical, economic & political environment in which one lives Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Development occurs when a change in one dimension requires an adjustment in one or more of the other dimensions Riegel’s theory integrates the physical and psychological dimensions with the external social and environmental dimensions Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Jane Loevinger’s Theory of Ego Development Identified 10 stages in the formation of the ego Full ego development is described as having an autonomous self Loevinger sees the search for understanding of ego (or identity) as the centre of human development Autonomous self: being self-reliant person who accepts oneself and others as multifaceted and unique Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Three stages of Loevinger’s Theory of Ego Development are relevant to the adolescent & young adult: –Conformist stage: view life in simple stereotypical ways, “black & white”, a right & wrong way to behave/think e.g., school playground –Self-aware stage: begin to understand and accept individual differences & multiple realities –Conscientious stage: self-chosen standards, able to appreciate others as individuals Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Loevinger believes that individuals require a clear sense of themselves before they can develop intimate relationships with others Progress from one stage to the next is determined by an individual’s psychological clock, not by chronological age or the social environment Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

The Family Life-Cycle Framework Describes early adulthood as the time when individuals are launched from their families of origin Parents & youth must separate from one another = change in relationship/new roles, youth accept responsibility for themselves Family of procreation Family of origin Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Three tasks of the young adult 1.Form an identity separate from one’s family of origin 2. Make commitment to career or workplace role 3. Develop intimate relationships with peers outside of the family Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Leonard Pearlin’s Theory of Psychological Distress Development can be unique yet occur in patterns Life course of continuous change required by distress Distress - a stimulus that requires a psychological response Young adults might experience distress as the individual acts to achieve their dreams formed in adolescence Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

The path one takes is determined by four elements: –Individual characteristics –Range of skills an individual has for coping with stress –Availability of social support networks –Nature & timing of stress that requires response Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

There are similarities in life courses because individuals change in response to similar external circumstances & stresses that affect their lives (the social clock) Individuals can anticipate & prepare for these role changes (e.g., by socializing) Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Daniel Levinson’s Theory of the Seasons of Life Life course evolves through seasons lasting about 25 years each From age 17–22, the adult season begins Individuals prepare for an adult life structure by separating from family of origin (not necessarily physically but emotionally), other relationships are also altered or ended in preparation for new adult relationships Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Early Life Structure for Early Adulthood From age 22–28, individual enters the adult world, time for building one’s life structure: –Forming a Dream & giving it a place in one’s life structure –Forming an occupation –Forming mentor relationships –Forming love relationships, marriage & family Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

The Dream The Dream is the individual’s sense of self in the adult world and is the core of the life structure The nature of the Dream will vary but most include a combination of occupation, family, and community roles From ages 22 to 28, young adults build & test a preliminary life structure to attain their Dream Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Age-30 Transition From age 28–33, individuals re-evaluate the life structures formed in their 20s “Am I living my dream? If I am to change my life... I must now make a start, for soon it will be too late.” This is a time to “get real” before “settling down” in their 30s Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Jeffrey Arnett’s Theory of Emerging Adulthood Distinct stage in the life course between adolescence & adulthood Arnett argues individuals from 18–25 years of age in industrialized countries are not yet adults but no longer adolescents Emerging adults focus identity exploration in a variety of possible life directions in love, work & worldviews Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Instability Individuals are semi-autonomous –Move in & out of the parental home –Have not achieved financial independence –Most young adults do not feel like they have reached adult status –Opportunities for identity exploration separate from & prior to making decisions for adulthood Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN:

Identity Exploration Young adults focus their exploration in three areas: –Love –Work –Worldviews Seems that there is more time for exploration & the opportunity for experimentation now than in the past Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Ryerson, ISBN: