Possible Selves in Adulthood
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Questions and Answers

How does the concept of 'possible self' evolve over adulthood?

  • It remains idealistic throughout adulthood.
  • It becomes more practical and realistic. (correct)
  • It becomes more focused on fame and wealth.
  • It shows no significant changes.

    • What motivates people in middle adulthood to revise their possible selves?

  • Recognition of limited time and life opportunities. (correct)
  • An increased focus on idealistic goals.
  • Rejection of past experiences.
  • The desire for fame and wealth.

    • What is the relationship between revised self-concept in midlife and self-esteem?

  • Self-esteem declines as self-concept is revised.
  • Higher self-esteem is related to a revised self-concept. (correct)
  • There is no correlation between them.
  • Lower self-esteem is associated with a revised self-concept.

    • How do perceptions of self differ between young adults and middle-aged adults?

    <p>Middle-aged adults accept both good and bad qualities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What types of aspirations do many adolescents and young adults express?

    <p>Idealistic and grand aspirations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does gender convergence primarily involve?

    <p>Diminishing differences in various social, economic, and cultural areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which area shows evidence of gender convergence?

    <p>Labor force participation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What traditional trait is now being increasingly exhibited by women due to gender convergence?

    <p>Assertiveness and leadership</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What change in emotional expressiveness does gender convergence suggest?

    <p>Men may express emotions more readily</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which traditional belief about caregiving is challenged by gender convergence?

    <p>Nurturing is primarily a female trait</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is gender convergence significant in discussions about gender equality?

    <p>It suggests that differences are becoming less pronounced</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What psychological trend is observed among men due to gender convergence?

    <p>Higher willingness to engage in caregiving roles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does gender convergence imply about the expression of traits across genders?

    <p>Both genders will exhibit a similar range of traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by the gender convergence in traits?

    <p>Traits are becoming more flexible and not gender-specific.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what age did men, according to a Finnish study, show a decrease in aggression?

    <p>By age 40</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following traits did men begin to adopt as they moved away from traditional gender roles?

    <p>Sensitivity and consideration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is androgyny associated with in later years?

    <p>High self-esteem and life satisfaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    As individuals move from their 30s to 80s, how do men's expressive traits typically change?

    <p>Become more expressive across the lifespan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cultural groups are mentioned as showing patterns of gender convergence?

    <p>Mayan people and Druze of the Middle East</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic did women typically adopt as they transitioned away from traditional gender roles?

    <p>Assertiveness and self-reliance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does having androgynous traits help individuals?

    <p>Provides a diverse set of skills for various situations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What trend does longitudinal research reveal about women's expressive traits as they age?

    <p>They become less expressive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to traditional gender roles as adults transition away from parenting?

    <p>They evolve towards greater flexibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What personality change is typically observed during middle adulthood?

    <p>Increase in emotional stability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which personality trait sees an increase during middle adulthood?

    <p>Conscientiousness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best characterizes the change in agreeableness during middle adulthood?

    <p>It increases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do personality changes in middle adulthood compare to those in young adulthood?

    <p>They continue subtly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What general trend is observed in neuroticism as individuals progress into middle adulthood?

    <p>It decreases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is often used interchangeably with perceived control?

    <p>Self-efficacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what stage of life do control beliefs typically peak?

    <p>Midlife</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors can influence perceived control?

    <p>Gender and ethnicity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does low socioeconomic status affect perceived control?

    <p>It increases environmental constraints.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Individuals with high perceived control are more likely to experience which of the following outcomes?

    <p>Better physical health</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does age-related decline in perceived control relate to?

    <p>Changes in biological and social resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group typically reports lower perceived control compared to others?

    <p>Women from diverse backgrounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common effect of lower perceived control in individuals?

    <p>Higher vulnerability to health issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At which stage of life does perceived control peak and remain stable?

    <p>Midlife</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the trend of perceived control from early adulthood to late adulthood?

    <p>It increases, peaks in midlife, then declines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term is often considered synonymous with perceived control?

    <p>Self-efficacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which age group is perceived control generally reported to decline?

    <p>Late adults</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily influences an individual's perceived control over achieving desired outcomes?

    <p>Personal expectations and beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What outcomes are associated with higher perceived control regardless of race, gender, and SES?

    <p>Better physical health and lower mortality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does low SES affect health when coupled with high perceived control?

    <p>It is comparable to health and longevity in high SES individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a benefit associated with higher perceived control?

    <p>Decreased physical health</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does high perceived control have on adults with low SES?

    <p>It enhances their overall health outcomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about perceived control?

    <p>It is linked to greater life satisfaction across varied demographics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Possible Selves in Adulthood

    • The concept of "possible self" is subject to reevaluation as individuals age, shifting from idealistic dreams to more realistic aspirations.
    • Beliefs about what can be achieved evolve throughout adulthood as life limitations become clearer.
    • Many adolescents and young adults envision grand goals, including fame, wealth, and exceptional health, often viewing their future with idealism.
    • By middle adulthood, individuals recognize constraints in time and opportunities, prompting a desire to balance aspirations with lived experiences.
    • Finding meaning and happiness in life often involves revisiting and adjusting these possible selves to align with practical realities.

    Self-Perception and Midlife

    • Middle-aged adults tend to acknowledge both their strengths and weaknesses more than younger counterparts, indicating a more balanced self-view.
    • Acceptance of personal qualities is linked to a more positive self-image in middle adulthood.
    • This revised self-concept during midlife is associated with increased self-esteem, indicating personal growth and adaptability over time.

    Gender Convergence in Traits

    • Parenting responsibilities decrease as children grow up, leading adults to shift away from traditional gender roles (Gutmann, 1985).
    • Men begin to adopt traditionally expressive traits such as sensitivity and consideration.
    • Women start to exhibit traditionally instrumental traits, including confidence and assertiveness (Lemaster et al., 2017).

    Longitudinal Findings

    • A Finnish study tracked third-grade children for 30 years, revealing that by age 40, men became less aggressive and more conforming, while women became increasingly assertive (Pulkkinen et al., 2005).
    • Research following adults from their 30s to 80s indicates that men, who initially showed low expressive traits, become more expressive over time.
    • Conversely, women, who typically start with high expressive traits, show a decline in expressiveness as they age (Jones, Peskin, & Livson, 2011; Jones et al., 2017).

    Cultural Patterns

    • Gender convergence is evident in various cultures, including Western societies as well as non-Western groups like the Mayan people of Guatemala and the Druze of the Middle East.

    Androgyny and Adjustment

    • Individuals with androgynous gender roles, possessing both instrumental and expressive skills, achieve higher self-esteem, advanced moral reasoning, psychosocial maturity, and life satisfaction in later years (Bem, 1985; Lefkowitz & Zeldow, 2006; Pilar Matud et al., 2014).
    • Androgynous roles promote adaptability, allowing individuals to respond more flexibly to diverse situations than those adhering to traditional gender roles.

    Changes in Personality During Middle Adulthood

    • Decline in Neuroticism: Individuals experience increased emotional stability, leading to a decrease in traits associated with anxiety and moodiness.
    • Rise in Conscientiousness: People tend to display greater self-discipline, responsibility, and organization, enhancing their ability to achieve long-term goals.
    • Increase in Agreeableness: A tendency towards greater compassion and cooperation emerges, fostering better interpersonal relationships and social harmony.
    • Continuation from Young Adulthood: These personality changes that begin in young adulthood become more pronounced and subtle during middle adulthood, reflecting ongoing personal development.

    Perceived Control and Self-Efficacy

    • Perceived control, or self-efficacy, is about individuals' beliefs in their ability to achieve desired outcomes.
    • Higher perceived control allows for fewer restrictions on choices and actions.

    Developmental Changes in Control Beliefs

    • Control beliefs increase during early adulthood as individuals gain skills and make headway in career and personal goals.
    • These beliefs tend to peak in midlife and remain stable before declining in late adulthood.
    • Age-related declines in perceived control are linked to diminished biological and social resources, such as health issues, income changes, bereavement, and heightened health vulnerabilities.

    Influencing Factors on Perceived Control

    • Perceived control varies by gender, socioeconomic status, and race:
      • Women generally report lower levels of perceived control than men, influenced by disparities in education and income.
      • Higher education and income correlate with a stronger sense of control over personal decisions and life situations.

    Impact of Perceived Control on Well-being

    • Individuals with a higher sense of control experience:
      • Better physical health
      • Increased life satisfaction
      • Fewer depressive symptoms
      • Lower mortality rates.

    Socioeconomic Constraints

    • Low socioeconomic status, particularly poverty, restricts access to essential resources (food, healthcare, safety), leading to increased vulnerability and diminished perceived control.

    Perceived Control (Self-Efficacy)

    • Defined as individuals’ expectations of their ability to achieve desired outcomes.
    • Self-efficacy influences motivation, behavior, and psychological well-being.
    • Early Adulthood: Increases in perceived control, reflecting greater independence and decision-making skills.
    • Midlife: Peaks and stabilizes, indicating a strong sense of self-efficacy and life management abilities.
    • Late Adulthood: Declines in perceived control, often due to age-related challenges and reduced autonomy.

    Perceived Control and Health Outcomes

    • Higher perceived control correlates positively with various health benefits, transcending race, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES).
    • Individuals with greater perceived control exhibit better physical health outcomes.
    • Enhanced life satisfaction is associated with higher levels of perceived control.
    • A decrease in depressive symptoms correlates with increased perceived control.
    • Lower mortality rates are linked to individuals who perceive a higher sense of control over their lives.

    SES and Perceived Control

    • Low SES individuals who possess high perceived control demonstrate health and longevity outcomes similar to those of high SES individuals.
    • This suggests that perceived control may mitigate some negative impacts of low SES on health and lifespan.
    • Study credit: Research conducted by Turiano and colleagues in 2014 highlights these findings.

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    Description

    Explore how the concept of possible selves evolves in adulthood through realistic aspirations. This quiz examines shifts from idealistic goals in youth to more balanced perspectives in midlife, taking into account personal strengths and weaknesses. Understand how self-perception impacts overall happiness and fulfillment.

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