c hapter ten life span development ii © 2012 john wiley & sons, inc. all rights reserved

© 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter TenLife Span Development II


MORAL DEVELOPMENT


Kohlberg’s Theory

MoralityA sense of right and

wrongEarly emergenceCross-species

evidenceThree levels of moral

development with two stages each

Each stage is universal and in a set order

In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging 10 times what the drug cost him. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could gather together only about $1000, half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, “No, I discovered the drug, and I’m going to make money from it.” So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. (Kohlberg, 1964, pp. 18–19)


Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

ANIMATIONKohlberg Stages of

Moral Reasoning

http://www.wiley.com/college/huffman/0471747246/cyberpsych/kohlberg/kohlberg.html

http://www.wiley.com/college/huffman/0471747246/cyberpsych/kohlberg/kohlberg.html


Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development


Criticisms of Kohlberg’s Theory

Moral Reasoning versus BehaviorSituational factors may be a better predictor of

moral behavior than a person’s moral stageCultural DifferencesMay be more reflective of an individualistic

cultureGender BiasMay emphasize more typically male values


PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT


Thomas and Chess’s Temperament Theory

TemperamentAn individual’s innate disposition or behavioral

style and characteristic emotional responseThree Temperament CategoriesMost fit into one of these:Easy (40%)—relaxed and agreeableDifficult (10%)—overreactive and moodySlow to warm up (15%)—need time to adjust


Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

Individuals pass through eight developmental stages, each with a crisis to be resolved

Difficult to scientifically assess

Stage labels may be more appropriate for an individualistic culture


Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory: Stages 1–4


Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory: Stages 5–8


MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF ADULTHOOD


Committed Relationships

What are your relationship expectations?Do you believe emotional closeness naturally

develops if two people have the right chemistry?

Have you unconsciously accepted the imbalance of power promoted by stereotypes or can you share power and disagree?

Do you expect to change your partner or be able to resolve all your problems?



What are your relationship expectations?Do you believe opposites attract?Do you believe that love conquers all?Do you believe that an intimate relationship is a

place where you can indulge your bad moods and openly criticize one another?



Marriage has many physical and mental-health benefits

Realistic expectations are a key to successAbout half of marriages in the U.S. end in

divorce Healthy divorces need to accomplish three tasks:

let go, develop new social ties, redefine parental roles (if there are children involved)


Families

Family ViolenceMore likely if:Marital conflictSubstance abuseMental disordersEconomic stressSocially isolatedPoor communication and

parenting skillsImpulsivity

Some resources:

[email protected]

WILEY VIDEOMaternal

Separation

http://www.ndvh.org/

http://www.wiley.com/college/huffman/0471747246/video/html/maternalseparation.html

http://www.wiley.com/college/huffman/0471747246/video/html/maternalseparation.html


Families

Teen Pregnancy and Parenthood

Correlated with:• Health risks for mother and

child• Lower educational

achievement• DepressionReduced with comprehensive

education and health-oriented services


Resiliency

The ability to adapt effectively in the face of threats

Resilient children have:• Good intellectual functioning• Relationships with caring adults• Ability to regulate attention, emotions, and

behavior


Work and Retirement

Positive careersWork affects our health, relationships, leisure

time, and residencePersonality-job fit theory—a match between our

personality and career is a major factor in job success and satisfaction


Are You In the Right Job?


Work and Retirement

Activity Theory of AgingSuccessful aging is

fostered by a full and active commitment to life

Disengagement Theory of Aging

Successful aging is characterized by mutual withdrawal between the elderly and society


Work and Retirement

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory of AgingA natural decline in social contact occurs as older adults become more selective with their time


Work and Retirement

Midlife CrisisVery rare


GRIEF AND DEATH


Grief

Four stages in “typical” grieving:

NumbnessYearningOrganization/DespairResolution/Reorganization

No one way or correct way to grieve

Helpful Techniques:Recognize the loss and

allow yourself to grieveSet up a daily activity

scheduleSeek help


Attitudes Toward Death and Dying

Vary among cultures and by age

Death is understood in three concepts:

• Permanence• Universality• Nonfunctionality


Kubler-Ross’s Stage Theory of Dying

DenialAngerBargainingDepressionAcceptance

Criticized for not being scientifically validated and not reflecting individual differences


Gender and Cultural Diversity:Understanding Development

Individualistic CulturesNeeds and goals of the

individual are emphasized over the needs and goals of the group

Define self through personality and occupation

More likely to have ageism

Collectivistic CulturesNeeds and goals of the group

are emphasized over the needs and goals of the individual

Define self through social unitsMore likely to show respect for

elders

Worldwide Ranking of Cultures


c hapter ten life span development ii © 2012 john wiley & sons, inc. all rights reserved

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