Psyc 109 - Exam 2 Study Guide

A set of vocabulary flashcards created from lecture notes covering identity statuses, parenting, aging, and psychological development concepts.

Identity Moratorium

High exploration, low commitment; individuals are still trying to decide on their identity.

Identity Achievement

High exploration, high commitment; individuals have made firm choices about their identity.

Identity Diffusion

Low commitment, low exploration; individuals have not chosen a specific identity and are working in any available job.

Identity Foreclosure

High commitment, low exploration; individuals follow a predetermined path often influenced by family.

Meeus 4-year longitudinal study (diffusion)

Found that 39% of individuals classified in the identity diffusion category were still classified as diffuse 4 years later

Meeus 4-year longitudinal study (commitment)

22% of individuals exploring over the 4 year period had not made a commitment.. 62% remained committed to that identity

Three factor-identity model (In-depth Exploration)

reflect on current commitments, search for additional information, talk with others about their choices

Three factor-identity model (Reconsideration of commitment)

find existing goals/values/beliefs that are no longer satisfactory, reconsider current commitments, broad exploration of new possibilities

Three factor-identity model (Commitment)

Firm choices and self-confidence that comes from these choices

Ruminative Exploration

A state where individuals feel overwhelmed by choices, leading to higher levels of depression and anxiety.

Identity benefits

provides a sense of structure, leads to consistency in values/beliefs, helps individuals become oriented toward future goals, and promotes a sense of internal control

Naudé and Piotrowski commitment

Degree of identification with the parental role and the self-confidence that comes from parenting. The fathers’ commitment to this role was highest when the child was 21+

Naudé and Piotrowski reconsidering parenthood

Most likely to reconsider their decision to become a parent when the child was 4-6 years old, but the doubts diminished over time

Naudé and Piotrowski what it means to be a parent

most likely to search for information about what it means to be a parent when their child was 4-6 years old

Egoistic orientation

First stage of Newberger’s stages of parent thinking. parent is self-focused and thinks the child in terms of their effect on the parent

Conventional orientation

Second stage of Newberger’s stages of parent thinking. understands child in terms of age-related norms and draws on cultural expectations about the role of a parent

Subjective-individualistic orientation

Third stage of Newberger’s stages of parent thinking. parent views child as unique individual in the context of the parent-child relationship. Sees parenting as responding to the unique needs of a particular child

Analytic-systems orientation

Fourth stage of Newberger’s stages of parent thinking.  parent understands themselves and the child as a complex system that is situated within a family, community, and world

Image-making stage (pregnancy to birth)

First stage of Galinsky’s stages of parenthood. Major task is reconciling the image of the child with the actual child

Nurturing stage (birth to 2)

Second stage of Galinsky’s stages of parenthood. Major task is becoming attached to the baby

Authority stage (2-5)

Third stage of Galinsky’s stages of parenthood. Major task is handling the power of being the parent (ex: accepting responsibility, selecting and enforcing limits, protecting the child)

Interpretive stage (5-12)

Fourth stage of Galinsky’s stages of parenthood. Major task is interpreting (ex. Interpreting the world for the child, interpreting themselves for the child, helping child develop self-concept, answering questions)

Interdependence stage (adolescence)

Fifth stage of Galinsky’s stages of parenthood. Major task is finding a way to interact with a “new” child

Departure stage (older adolescents)

Sixth stage of Galinsky’s stages of parenthood. Major task is accepting child’s separateness and individuality while maintaining a connection

Authoritative parenting style

sets reasonable standard and expects child to behave within limits. Associated with development of independence and self-control

Authoritarian parenting style

enforce obedience and conformity, uses punishment, lack of verbal give and take

Permissive parenting style

believe children learn through own experiences, undemanding/low in control, emotionally warm, does not stress independence or obedience

Neglectful parenting style

emotionally distance, can’t be bothered with setting demands

Remote grandparents

distant or infrequent in contact

Companionate grandparents

enjoy a fun, supportive, non-authoritative relationship

Involved grandparents

play active role in caretaking

Number of grandparents solely responsible for meeting basic needs of grandchildren in US

2.3-2.5 million

Stagnation

predominance of self-absorption and self-indulgence

Virtue gained from successfully navigating generativity vs stagnation

Care. Involving a selfless, widening concern for guiding the next generation and contributing to society

Erikson’s later views of generativity

whatever a man generates and leaves behind, creates and produces. A maintenance of the world 

Technical generativity

passing on competences and skills to others who are less skilled than the self (Ex. Life skills)

Cultural Generativity

The transmission of cultural ideas and values from one generation to the next (ex. values)

Black Americans vs White Americans generative concern

Black Americans scored higher on measures of generative concern and actions than white peers when age and family income Is controlled

Ways grandparents demonstrate generativity

Transmission of family stories, mentoring and teaching skills, responding to child’s needs with affection and comfort, fun and leisure activities, attachment figure in emergencies, time/money spent with grandchildren

Modernization hypothesis

Ageism is rooted in the ways in which older people’s role in the transmission of knowledge has been devalued (ex. Printing press, changes in literacy to digital literacy)

Gerontology

The scientific interdisciplinary study of old age and the aging process.

Geriatrics

The branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders in older adults.

Biopsychosocial perspective of development

Development is a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors 

Continuity principle

Principle of adult development and aging where changes are continuous over lifespan

Survivor principle

Principle of adult development and aging where only survivors get old

Principle of Individuality

Principle of adult development and aging where we become increasingly unique from one another as we navigate our own path in the world

Normal aging is different from disease

Principle of adult development and aging where growing doesn’t mean becoming sicker

Successful aging

Absence of disease and disability, high cog function, active engagement with life

Optimal aging

The capacity to function across many domains— physical, functional, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual – to one’s satisfaction and in spite of one’s medical conditions 

Primary Aging

Set of changes built into organism. Happens even with good health, and may process at different rates for different individuals

Secondary Aging

Health-related declines due to disease and environmental factors.

Tertiary Aging

Rapid declines that can occur prior to death, such as loss of mobility or cognitive ability.

Young-old

65-74 years old

Old-old

75-84 years old

Oldest old

85 and older

Percentage of 85+ in nursing homes

About 13%

Microsystem (Brofenbrenner’s ecological systems)

The people and setting individuals interact with on a daily basis (ex. Family). Has most direct influence on individual

Brofenbrenner’s ecological systems theory

Theory that describes nested environmental systems that shape individuals over time (Mickey Mouse Eats Melted Cheese. Micro, meso, exo, macro, chrono)

Mesosystem (Brofenbrenner’s ecological systems)

interactions between two or more microsystems (ex. Friends and family coordinating care). Have indirect influence on individual

Exosystem (Brofenbrenner’s ecological systems)

environments that people don’t closely experience on a daily basis but impact them by affecting microsystems (ex. Local governments)

Macrosystem (Brofenbrenner’s ecological systems)

cultural attitudes, traditions, values (ex. ageism)

Chronosystem (Brofenbrenner’s ecological systems)

environmental changes that occur over the life course (ex. Timing of events

Lawton and Nahemon’s Press Competence model

Describes how an individual’s competence and environmental press (demands) influence emotion and adaptive behavior

Lawton and Nahemon’s Press Competence model (Zone of maximal comfort)

Individuals do not have to stretch themselves to meet the demands of the environment. Affect is positive

Lawton and Nahemon’s Press Competence model (Zone of Maximum performance potential)

Environmental demands are higher but individuals are able to stretch themselves to meet these demands. Affect is positive

Lawton and Nahemon’s Press Competence model (Competence and press exceed zone of maximal performance)

If environmental press becomes too high and exceeds the zone of maximal performance, the demands surpass the individual’s abilities and they may experience anxiety or frustration, leading to adaptive behavior declines (failing at tasks they could normally do) and a negative affect

Lawton and Nahemon’s Press Competence model (people do too much for individual)

When others reduce environmental press by doing too much for the individual, the environment becomes under-stimulating, leading to a negative affect, maladaptive behavior, and helplessness

Whitehead and Golding Shower Study

Found that accessible showers increase quality of life and confidence to reengage with the wider community

Baltes and Baltes’ Selective Optimization with Competence model

Model that sees individuals as using different strategies that enable them to successfully live and do in the face of functional decline

Elective selection (Baltes and Baltes’ Selective Optimization with Competence model)

performing fewer pieces and selecting new activities or goals for oneself because they are appealing

Loss-based selection (Baltes and Baltes’ Selective Optimization with Competence model)

performing fewer pieces and choosing to restrict or modify an activity in response to declining resources, often a way to preserve identity 

Optimization (Baltes and Baltes’ Selective Optimization with Competence model)

practicing each piece more frequently (adds to declining capacity), like regular exercise to preserve strength

Compensation (Baltes and Baltes’ Selective Optimization with Competence model)

increasing reliance on contract in speed by adding decrease in speed before fast segments (ex. Pacing oneself by spreading lawncare over a few days)

Ego integrity characteristics (Erikson’s 8th stage)

acceptance, wholeness, at piece, no regret, acceptance, wisdom

Despair characteristics (Erikson’s 8th stage)

bitterness, regret, wasted life, unproductive, depression, hopelessness 

Integrated

Integrity status involving realistic self-awareness, not hiding from regrets, connected to community, curious and involved, content with experiences 

Nonexploratory

Integrity status involving closed down on growth, enjoyed their career, little self-examination, optimistic, preoccupied with hobbies 

Pseudointegrated

Integrity status involving excessively coherent self-presentations from a lack of self-awareness, unwillingness to examine problems, or wish to appear successful. Responds with rehearsed and overly definitive answers, rarely mention damaging regrets

Despairing

Integrity status involving depression about failures and missed chances, regret, unsatisfied 

Void created by retirement and/or children leaving home (Peck’s Primary losses)

Task is ego differentiation versus work/role preoccupation. Developing a varied set of roles and a complex sense of identity and self-worth that does not depend completely upon the identity that one forged in the workplace.

Physical changes that occur as the body ages  (Peck’s Primary losses)

Task is body transcendence versus body preoccupation. Able to see beyond daily aches and pains and physical changes. Finding ways to have a meaningful life despite physical deterioration and illness concerns.

Losses experienced and own impeding mortality  (Peck’s Primary losses)

Task is ego transcendence versus ego preoccupation. Recognizing that life is finite and placing the focus on future generations rather than one's own needs. Finding ways to share knowledge, wisdom, and gifts with future generations can contribute to ego transcendence 

Identity assimilation (Whitbourne)

Process of interpreting new experience in terms of a person's existing identity using existing schemes. Ex. Notice change in muscle strength. Deny that the change is age-related (I am still young but I am out of shape or tired) 

Identity accommodation (Whitbourne)

The process of making changes to identity in response to experiences that challenge people's current view of themselves. Changing schemas. Ex. “I am no longer the runner I used to be” 

Identity balance (Whitbourne)

Process that involves the dynamic equilibrium that occurs when people tend to view themselves consistently but make changes when called for by their experience. Balance of assimilation and accommodation; system is dynamic around a stable point. Ex. Individuals realize they are getting older through a stepwise progression of age-related changes.  

Hoped-for self

“I want to stay healthy and carry on living as I am, without any major illness“

Feared self

“My greatest fear is to become bedridden and dependent on other people”

Pontinen et al. older adults moving into continuing care interviews

Talked about hoped-for selves that involved activities (going on trips, making art). When they talked about health-related topics they tended to focus on feared selves (fear of being in poor health) 

Cosmic (Tornstam’s concept of gerotranscendence)

Individual no longer sees themselves as particularly significant, but has a growing feeling of being part of a larger context, “part of the universe” – feels a connection to previous, present, and future generations. The mystery of life is accepted. Ordinary events become more important than grand ones. 

Dimension of the Self/Ego Transcendence (Tornstam’s concept of gerotranscendence)

The individual’s understanding of the self develops and there is decreased self-centeredness. Discovers hidden aspects of self, diminished self-centeredness, care for one’s physical body continues but individual is not obsessed with it

Social and personal relationship (Tornstam’s concept of gerotranscendence)

Breaking away from role expectations. Choosing ties that maximize social and emotional benefits, abandoning past roles to understand one’s current role and place in time, rediscovering child within, appreciating freedom and happiness of living within one’s means without competing for more

Joan Erikson 9th stage

Argues issues of earlier stages again rise to the surface but now individuals are navigating a life in which the negative pole assumes a more dominant position

Basic Mistrust vs Trust (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

(Hope) Mistrusting own capabilities striving to have hope not give rise to despair

Shame and Doubt vs Autonomy (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

(Will) No longer their bodies and choices. Having others make arrangements for you can make one feel rebellious (feisty)

Guilt vs Initiative (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

(Purpose) Past enthusiasm for moving in a new direction (purposeful activity) can be overshadowed by guilt that what one is doing is only personally appealing

Inferiority vs Industry (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

(Competence) Urgency and energy is gone. Not to be competent because of aging is belittling

Identity Confusion vs Identity (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

(Fidelity) Can feel unsettled as one loses the firmness of one’s earlier stance and purpose. Older values can feel suddenly vague and crumbling

Isolation vs Intimacy (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

(Love) May not be able to depend on ways in which they use to relate to people (or passions – art, literature, scholarship) in the ways that they used to

Stagnation vs Generativity (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

(Care) One is no longer involved in caregiving, productive work. This can lead to feelings of uselessness

Despair and Disgust vs Integrity (Joan Erikson’s 9th stage)

Wisdom – capacity to hear, listen, remember, learn (resilience). Integrity – tact (sensitivity in dealing with others, empathy)