Hutchison, Dimensions of Human Behavior, 6e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Lecture Notes
Chapter 8: Middle Adulthood
Learning Objectives
8.1: Compare one’s own cognitive and emotional reactions to three case studies.
8.2: Summarize the changing construction of middle adulthood.
8.3: Critique three theories of middle adulthood: Erikson’s theory of generativity,
Jung’s and Levinson’s theories of finding balance, and life span theory of the gain–
loss balance.
8.4: Give examples of biological changes, changes in health status, and intellectual
changes during middle adulthood.
Chapter Summary
As you read this chapter, take note of these central ideas:
1. Increased life expectancy and a post–World War II baby boom in the United States
2. Theories about middle adulthood propose that midlife adults are deeply involved in
3. Most biological systems reach their peak in the mid-20s, and gradual declines begin
4. Middle adulthood is the period of peak performance of four mental abilities: inductive
reasoning, spatial orientation, vocabulary, and verbal memory. Perceptual speed and
numerical ability decline in middle adulthood.
Hutchison, Dimensions of Human Behavior, 6e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
5. There is good evidence of both stability and change in personality in middle
adulthood; one often-noted personality change during middle adulthood is gender role
Annotated Chapter Outline
I. Introduction
A. Case Studies 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3
i. 8.1 Mark Raslin, Finding Stability at 42
II. The Changing Social Construction of Middle Adulthood
A. Changing Age Demographics
i. Middle-aged adults constituted over one fourth of U.S. population in
2010
B. A Definition of Middle Adulthood
i. General definition: those who are in midlife, or central part of life
course
C. Culture and the Construction of Middle Adulthood
i. Middle adulthood has been incorporated into views of life course since
middle ages
b. Middle adulthood is a negative time of decline and loss
III. Theories of Middle Adulthood
A. Erikson’s Theory of Generativity
i. Generativity: the ability to transcend personal interests to provide care
Hutchison, Dimensions of Human Behavior, 6e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
iii. Exhibit 8.2 McAdams and de St. Aubin’s Seven Components of
Generativity
B. Jung’s and Levinson’s Theories of Finding Balance
i. Individuals attempt to find balance in their lives in several ways
a. Gender identity/gender role behavior
C. Life Span Theory and the Gain–Loss Balance
i. Life span theory: based on ongoing transactions between persons and
environments and begins with the premise that development is lifelong.
IV. Biological Changes and Physical and Mental Health in Middle Adulthood
A. Introduction
i. Exhibit 8.4 Changes in Physical Appearance and Mobility in Middle
Adulthood
B. Changes in the Reproductive System and Sexuality
i. Menopause: the permanent cessation of menstruation, usually defined
as 12 consecutive months with absence of menstruation
C. Changes in the Brain
i. Changes in patterns in neural activity
ii. Bilateralization
D. Changes in Health Status
i. Health is highly variable during middle adulthood
Hutchison, Dimensions of Human Behavior, 6e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
v. Exhibit 8.6 Leading Causes of Disease Burden (DALYs) Worldwide
V. Intellectual Changes in Middle Adulthood
i. Cognitive performance remains relatively stable for the majority of
midlife adults
ii. Seattle Longitudinal Study identified six mental abilities
VI. Personality Changes in Middle Adulthood
A. Trait Approach
i. Trait approach: personality traits are enduring characteristics rooted
in early temperament and influenced by genetic and organic factors
ii. Big Five personality traits:
a. Neuroticism
b. Extroversion
B. Human Agency Approach
i. Human agency is center of adult personality development
ii. Motives, goals, plans, strategies, choices
iii. Over time, coping mechanisms mature and are used more often
a. Coping mechanisms: the strategies we use to master the
VII. Spirituality Development in Middle Adulthood
i. Fowler’s four stages of spiritual development occur in middle
adulthood
a. Synthetic-conventional faith
b. Individuative-reflective faith
c. Conjunctive faith
Hutchison, Dimensions of Human Behavior, 6e
VIII. Relationships in Middle Adulthood
A. Introduction
i. Relationships in middle adulthood have been shaped by relationships in
earlier life phases
ii. Global network: all existing social relationships that a person has
make up their global network
B. Middle Adulthood in the Context of the Multigenerational Family
i. Increased longevity has led to an increase in the number of generations
in a family
C. Relationships With Spouse or Partner
i. Increased number of couples cohabitating rather than marrying
ii. Parent–child relationship may have an effect on later partner
relationships
Hutchison, Dimensions of Human Behavior, 6e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
ii. Daughters and daughters-in-law are typically caregivers to aging
parents
iii. Cultural perspectives on caregiving burden
F. Other Family Relationships
ii. Chosen family
IX. Work in Middle Adulthood
A. Employment is an important role for midlife adults
B. Work patterns of middle-aged workers in the United States have changed
considerably in the past three decades:
i. Greater job mobility
ii. Greater variability in the timing of retirement