Transition in Adulthood

Dennis N. Thompson & Walter Colt & Ferda Aysan

Researchers and theorists who have examined the development of personality and self-concept across adulthood have generally fallen into one of two broad categories. One group of researchers has argued that adult development occurs by means of stages. They also tend to stress the development of transitions between these stages. One of the best known and most popular of these concepts is the midlife transition of Daniel Levinson. Other researchers have come to argue that development remains stable, at least by the age of 30, without major change occurring even into advanced old age. Erik Erikson (1950) established one of the most influential models of stage progression. Based on interview data with his clients, he described eight stages of development. Among these are an adolescent stage, in which one must form an identity, and three adult stages. In the adult stages, beginning with early adulthood, one must resolve the issue of ...

Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.