https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood en-us 2016-11-12 00:21:33 UTC 2025-09-29 16:04:05 UTC hello@padlet.com cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109107 The life span theory is a theory that outlines development across a lifespan, or from birth to death. The life span theory defines adaptations in our lives such as growth, maintenance, and regulation of loss. This is a tool that guides helping professionals.

Growth- Individuals will grow physically, emotionally and cognitively with age. Over their life, individuals will acquire new information and develop new characteristics.

Maintenance or resilience- this is defined as despite facing challenges, one still continues to thrive and overcome feats.

Regulation of loss- As we get older, we tend to lose certain abilities. Regulation of loss is the ability to accept that we will eventually lose certain abilities or functions.]]> 2016-11-12 00:25:03 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109107 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109115 According to Erik Erikson, during middle adulthood, the most important concept is generativity vs. stagnation. During this stage, adults are focused on establishing themselves and contributing the world and their community. 

In later adulthood, Erikson claims the most important concept is ego-identity vs. despair. In this theory, Erikson outlines that this stage is when elderly people are able to recognize their life and specific moments and accept what happened. Those who are successful Tin this stage have feelings of satisfaction in their life and that their life was well-lived. 
Those who are unsuccessful in this stage have feelings of regret and despair. ]]> 2016-11-12 00:25:15 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109115 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109131 The family life cycle involves the transformation of men and women as a married couple, to parents, and finally to the death of a spouse. The family life cycle begins with the process of searching for a mate. Men and women search for a partner based on their similarities in religion, race, personality, etc. This is known as homogamy. Once a couple decides to marry, they make a decision on creating a family with children. Couples choose to either stay together and raise their children, or separate and raise children. Divorce numbers have decreased since the 1970s, but are still high. Divorce also takes a striking toll on children.

1. Independence/ Leaving family home:
Young adults accept their independence financially and emotionally. They being to develop intimate relationships and rely heavily on friendships.

2. Marriage:
Young adults search for a mate to form a committed relationship with based on homogomy and compatibility. Married couple will live together and plan a future together, emotionally and financially.

3. Families with young children:
Married couples begin to adjust their current situations to make room for children.

4. Families with adolescents
During this time, parents need to shift their relationship with children as their children go through adolescent changes. Parents may need to refocus on marital and career issues while balancing children as well.

5. Launching children/Moving on
During this time, children are becoming adults and seeking independence in either education or work force. Parents are preparing to send their children off on their own. Parents and children can begin to develop adult-adult relationships.

6. Families in later life
Families shift in roles- children become parents, parents become grandparents, etc. During this stage, family members will typically deal with the loss of family members and need to prepare for death.

]]> 2016-11-12 00:25:27 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109131 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109141 The self-determination theory was developed by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan. According to this theory, Deci and Ryan argued that "self-realization is at the core of eudaemonic well-being" (Broderick & Blewitt, 2009). This means that a person must meet their full physiological needs, like food and love, first to ensure happiness and well-being.

According to the Self-Determination Theory, humans have three basic psychological needs that need to be met as well.

Autonomy- the feeling of accomplishment in one's behaviors or actions
Competence- desire to control outcomes; expressing skills
Relatedness- need to interact with others and feel cared for

]]> 2016-11-12 00:25:37 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109141 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109163 Elisabeth Kugler-Ross studied the process of dying and its effect on people. She observed patients in hospitals and interviewed doctors to conclude the most common phases people go through while grieving. Each of her 5 stages are what she classified as a coping mechanism to deal with the grief.

1. Denial- "This isn't happening. This cannot be happening." Thoughts used to buffer the inevitable and protect a person from accepting a loss.

2.  Anger- "Why me?! Why now?" Resentment towards family members who are healthy may begin to show.

3. Bargaining- "I'll do anything." During this stage, people will often try to make a plea with a higher power.

4. Depression- Often marked by isolation and sadness.

5. Acceptance- Once a person has reached this stage, it is a sign of relief. They have finally reached a point of accepting the loss in their life.]]> 2016-11-12 00:26:06 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109163 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109193 For decades, researches have been studying the characteristics of adults. Researchers McCrae and Cosa created "The Five Factor Model" or "The Big 5" personality traits where they have narrowed down the personality traits of adults into five significant traits. People classified as the following traits can be described with the resulting subsequent characteristics.

1. neuroticism- anxious, moody, self-conscious

2. extraversion- outgoing, active, enthusiastic

3. openness- insightful, curious, original

4. agreeableness-  generous, compliant, sympathetic

5. conscientiousness- organized, reliable, self-controlled

Psychologists have claimed that these traits may be hereditary. There are links between childhood temperament characteristics and adult personality traits as well. ]]> 2016-11-12 00:27:05 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109193 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109216 As adults age, their cognitive and intellectual abilities decrease. Fluid intelligence, or mechanical intelligence, includes skills such as processing speed and reasoning. These skills are most likely to decline with age and begin to decline during middle adulthood. Information processing may begin to slow down as early as age 30 and declines rapidly after age 40 (Broderick & Blewitt, 2009).]]> 2016-11-12 00:28:03 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137109216 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137150683 2016-11-12 19:24:52 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137150683 cklause https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137153337 In this clip from the Disney's Pixar movie Up, Carl and his Wife, Ellie, experience many typical challenges as a couple. They are married young and buy a house together. They plan to have children, but due to medical reasons, Ellie cannot have a baby. Although this clip skips stages 3-5 in the family life cycle, it outlines the initial and final stages.]]> 2016-11-12 20:23:00 UTC https://padlet.com/cklause/adulthood/wish/137153337