Developmental Psych: chapter 14

Generativity vs stagnation (Erikson)

Erikson stage that middle aged adult face. One encompasses adults desire to leave legacies of themselves for the next generation vs individuals’ sense that they have done little or nothing for the next generation

Costa and McCrae’s Baltimore study

The personality development study on the big 5 factors of personality (OCEAN) openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism (emotional stability)

Openness

Individuals in 1 of 5 personalities that tend to live longer. Have superior cognitive function and IQ, Creative, Have better health and wellbeing

Conscientiousness

Individuals in 1 of 5 personalities that tend to live longer and have optimal aging, life satisfaction and psychological well-being. Better health less stress and marital satisfaction. Greater life satisfaction.

extraversion

Individuals in 1 of 5 personalities that are more likely to be satisfied in relationships. Less negative effects to stressors, higher level of perceived well-being

Agreeableness

Individuals in 1 of 5 personalities, tend to live longer, more motivated and generous, have more satisfying relationships, less exposure to stressors, less likely active, lower risk of dementia.

Neuroticism

Individuals 1 of 5 personalities more likely to die younger, worse health, drug dependent, mental health issues, avoid posting

Berkeley Longitudinal Studies

The study that has 500 children and their parent’s debates if personality is stable or changes. Stable traits are intellectual, self-confident, open to new experiences. Ones that change are nurturant or hostile, strong or weak self-control

George Vaillant’s Studies

The study if personality predicts life in later adulthood (healthy aging predictors). tracked mental and physical health, career satisfaction, retirement, marital. Relationships over wealth, marriages and contentment, mature coping mechanisms, resilience led to positive aging

Midlife crisis

Stage for middle-aged adults from 35-45 years confronting mortality, and emotional turmoil

current midlife crisis

The belief that midlife is a transition made of stability, productivity emotional regulation, and increased life satisfaction and a period of evaluation. arrives from divorce, job loss, health issues, caregiving, finances

Empty nest syndrome

The decline of marital satisfaction due to a decline in marital satisfaction after children leave the home

What are important close/marriage relationship characteristics?

security, loyalty, mutual emotional interest