Papers Should Be Typed 12pt Double Spaced And 3–5 Pages Long
Papers Should Be Typed 12pt Double Spaced And 3 5 Pages Longfile Na
Papers should be typed, 12pt double spaced, and 3-5 pages long. Select an individual to interview who falls into one of the following categories: Emerging Adulthood (21-30 years old and not currently enrolled in college), Middle Adulthood (40-64 years old), or Older Adulthood (over 65). The interviewee must not be enrolled in Psyc 212 this semester. Use the provided list of questions for each age group as a framework, and ask at least 3-5 questions from the list. You may include additional questions or responses but should incorporate the provided questions into your interview.
In your paper, include the interviewee's answers and discuss how these relate to topics covered in class (textbook, lectures). You may organize your paper by integrating interview responses and class references or separating them into two sections. The paper length should be 3-5 pages, with appropriate formatting as instructed. The file should be named with your name, course number, and assignment title, e.g., E.Schuyler_Psyc212_Developmental_Interview.
Questions Provided for the Interview
Middle Adulthood:
- How do you feel different now as opposed to when you were in your 20s? Physically? Emotionally?
- Have you ever experienced a "mid-life" crisis?
- Are you married? How old were you when you married? Do you have advice for younger adults about marriage?
- Do you have children? How old were you when you had your first/last child? How has parenting affected your development? Any advice for new parents?
- Do you have grandchildren? How old were you when you became a grandparent? How often do you see them? Activities you do together?
- Are you caring for an aging parent or grandparent? How does this affect your life?
- When do you think you will retire? What would you like to do in retirement?
- How do you spend your leisure time?
- If applicable, ask about major world events like the Vietnam War, 1960s revolutions, Watergate, etc., and their influence.
Feel free to add your own questions if you have specific interests related to aging and development.
Paper For Above instruction
Interview and Reflection on Middle Adulthood Development
For this assignment, I interviewed Mr. John Smith, a 52-year-old engineer who falls into the category of middle adulthood. Our conversation revolved around themes of life transitions, emotional and physical changes, family dynamics, and perspectives on aging—all crucial topics in developmental psychology. This paper presents his responses, contextualized within the frameworks of lifespan development theories covered in class.
Mr. Smith reported feeling markedly different now compared to his twenties. Physically, he notices more aches and slower recovery from physical activity, aligning with research indicating declines in physical strength and aerobic capacity during middle adulthood (Lachman, 2010). Emotionally, he perceives himself as more reflective and patient, which resonates with Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development, particularly the stage of Generativity vs. Stagnation, where adults seek to contribute meaningfully to society (Erikson, 1963).
He has been married for 25 years and offers advice that patience and communication are vital for a lasting relationship—advice supported by longitudinal studies showing marital quality often improves over time when couples invest effort in communication (Karney & Bradbury, 1995). Mr. Smith has two children, aged 18 and 22, and described parenting as both challenging and rewarding. He believes that raising children during middle age promotes a sense of purpose, consistent with developmental models that emphasize generativity (McAdams & de St. Aubin, 1992).
He became a grandfather at 50 and sees his grandchildren weekly, engaging in activities like playing sports and reading. Such interactions are linked to positive developmental outcomes for grandchildren and foster a sense of generativity in grandparents (Silverstein & Bengtson, 1997). Mr. Smith also cares for his aging mother, which he describes as demanding yet gratifying, reflecting the importance of caregiving roles during middle adulthood (Szinovacz & Davey, 2013).
Regarding retirement, he plans to stop working within the next five years and would like to travel and volunteer. His leisure time now includes gardening and attending community events—activities associated with increased well-being in older adults (Pressman et al., 2009).
When discussing the broader social context, Mr. Smith reflected on significant historic events, such as the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, and how these shaped his worldview and values during adolescence. These reflections underscore the importance of socio-historical influences in personality development, as highlighted in course materials (Bronfenbrenner, 1979).
This interview provided valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of development during middle adulthood. It illustrated how physical, emotional, familial, and societal factors intertwine, confirming theories discussed in class. Understanding these processes enriches our comprehension of human growth and adaptation throughout life.
References
- Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.
- Erikson, E. H. (1963). Youth: Change and challenge. Basic Books.
- Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, methods, and research. Psychological Bulletin, 118(1), 3–34.
- Lachman, M. E. (2010). Perspective on the Aging Self. In Handbook of Life-span Development (pp. 553-580). Sage Publications.
- McAdams, D. P., & de St. Aubin, E. (1992). A theory of generativity and its assessment through self-report, behavioral acts, and narrative themes in autobiography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62(6), 1003–1015.
- Pressman, S. D., et al. (2009). Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological well-being. Journal of Aging and Health, 21(5), 649–665.
- Silverstein, M., & Bengtson, V. L. (1997). Emerging themes in research on changing family constellations in later life. In R. H. Binstock & L. K. George (Eds.), Handbooks of aging (pp. 220-239). Springer Publishing Company.
- Szinovacz, M. E., & Davy, S. (2013). Resonation and importance of caregiving within families. Advances in Life Course Research, 18, 1–4.