CH16: Socioemotional Development in Middle Adulthood

Question 1

Erikson’s Generativity vs. Stagnation

Answer 1

Generativity - desire to leave a legacy behind for next generation
- Different types of generativity (biological, cultural, etc.)

Question 2

Midlife crises

Answer 2

-not many people experience midlife crises
- 40s are a time to think about your life (deep thinking)
- 1/3 experience midlife crises
- caused by serious problems (job loss, illness)

Question 3

Fight or flight

Answer 3

• men & stress
  caused by stress
• withdrawn or aggressive

Question 4

Tend and befriend

Answer 4

• women & stress
• seek support from others (move closer to people instead of away)

Question 5

Frequent hassles for middle-aged adults

Answer 5

• care most about weight, health of others & rising prices
• physical appearance is less checked

Question 6

Frequent uplifts of middle-aged adults

Answer 6

• relating with lover, friends, & completing a task
• all are relationship oriented

Question 7

Costa & McCrae’s Baltimore Study

Answer 7

• “big five” factors of personality (OCEAN)

Question 8

Berkeley longitudinal studies (over a long time)

Answer 8

• Intellect, self-confidence, & openness stayed the same level
  -nurture/hostility & self-control changed the most in the study
• most stability in midlife

Question 9

Love & marriage

Answer 9

• security, loyalty, & mutual emotional interest
• most are satisfied with their marriages
• divorce rate increased for middle-aged adults

Question 10

Empty nest syndrome

Answer 10

• marital dissatisfaction after child leave home
  -some may “refill their nest” (have vacations, make new friends)

Question 11

Grandparenting

Answer 11

• biological reward
• emotional self- fulfillment (nurturing future generation)

Question 12

Three grandparenting styles

Answer 12

-Formal: rigid (proper, emotional distance)
-Fun-seeking: playful, highly-involved
-Distant-figure: seldomly involved (see grandchildren once a year)

Question 13

Close relationships

Answer 13

• daughters & mothers are closer as they get older
• married men are more involved with the wives’ side of the family (want to make them happy)
• mom side is closer to kids than dads