Deck 22: Seciton 1: Adulthood: Psychosocial Development

Question 1

Describe Erikson's psychosocial stage generativity versus stagnation. Indicate the three most common ways adults satisfy their need to be generative.

Answer 1

Generativity versus stagnation is the stage associated with adulthood and the need to care for the next generation. Generativity is unselfish caring for others-often of the younger generation-and is a central goal of adulthood. Without generativity, adults experience stagnation and personal impoverishment. Adults satisfy their need to be generative in many ways, especially through 1) parenthood, 2) caregiving (taking care of the needs of others or pets), and 3) employment.

Question 2

Define consequential strangers and describe how they differ from friends.

Answer 2

Consequential strangers are acquaintances, people who are not in a person's friendship circle but nonetheless have some impact on his or her life. These strangers may provide information, support, social integration, new ideas, and a perspective on something the person has never personally experienced (such as divorce or single parenthood). Chat groups on the Internet have added more consequential strangers to people's lives than ever before.
Mutual loyalty and aid are expected from friends but not consequential strangers. In addition, acquaintances differ from most close friends and family members in that they include people of diverse religions, ethnic groups, ages, and political opinions-and that diversity is one reason they may be consequential. Of course, close friends may also be diverse, but shared values, lifestyles, and background are often the glue that keeps a friendship alive.

Question 3

Identify the potential problems adults may face when they divorce and differentiate between the typical negative impacts of divorce on men and women.

Answer 3

People divorce because some aspects of the marriage have become too difficult to endure, but they are often unaware of the future impact on other aspects of their lives. Among these future problems are 1) reduced incomes; 2) lost friendships (many couples have only other couples as friends); and 3) weakened relationships with their children-not only immediately but also when the children become adults.
Some research finds that women suffer from divorce more than men do since 1) their income, in particular, is lower. However, 2) men's intimacy needs are especially at risk. Some husbands rely on their wives for companionship and social interactions; they are unaccustomed to making their own social arrangements. 3) Divorced fathers are often lonely, alienated from their adult children and grandchildren.

Question 4

When adult children live apart from their parents, what usually happens to the parent-child relationship? How might parents support their adult children, and how might such support impact the mental health of adult children?

Question 5

Define and explain how the Big Five personality traits are important. Name and describe each of the Big Five personality traits.

Question 6

Define the extrinsic rewards of work and the intrinsic rewards of work. How do most people's perspective on the extrinsic and intrinsic rewards of employment change with age and maturity?

Question 7

Indicate how being a parent could satisfy generativity. Identify the four different kinds of parents.

Question 8

Explain the concept of a midlife crisis and provide evidence for the flawed nature of the concept.

Question 9

Identify the three aspects of romantic love identified by Sternberg and describe how they may change over the course of a relationship. State what is believed to be the ideal combination of these aspects in a romantic relationship. Finally, indicate which aspect is considered the most important to many people.

Question 10

Explain three ways in which employment can fulfill generativity needs in adulthood.