Daniel Levinson's Comprehensive Adult Development Theory

692 Words2 Pages

The Concept of Life Structure

Daniel Levinson's comprehensive adult development theory conveys the soul factor that an individual continues well throughout late adulthood. This theory portrays that an individual's life structure is based upon their social and physical environment, and is considered to contain two essential concepts.

♦ Each stage will always have an ending point to start a new; these Transitional Periods can be either steady or complicated. Commitments made at the beginning of a stage may change throughout the course of said stage.

♦ The point in time where an individual will constitute crucial choices is known as the Stable Period.

Levinson conceived 6 different stages in his theory.

♂ (Ages: Birth-22 yrs.) Preadulthood: …show more content…

As I am just a mere 20 years old, I am convinced there is still some forms of transitions that I will undergo. I am not entirely sure that it was my personality that aided in my interactions with my personal environment, but perseverance definitely presented a portrayal in times of adversity. As a child, I underwent several forms of abuse making it a bit difficult to develop how a child should. I took care of my three brothers from 8 years old until I was 15; creating more responsibility than any child should ever have to take upon. After bouts with drug and alcohol abuse, (aided through my parental figures) I was finally attuned to who I was. I moved out when I was 17 years old, and have been keen along with my environment. There are details that I have and most likely forever will leave …show more content…

♂ (Ages: 33 yrs.- 40yrs.) Culminating Life Structure for Early Adulthood ("Settling Down"): Implementing a societal niche; accomplishments with a family, career, as well as more complex demands-- such as parenting.

♂ (Ages: 40yrs. - 45yrs.) Midlife Transition: Seeking direction through times of crisis as well as value; expression towards more slighted aspirations and expressions are sought out. (These may include: talents and desires) Awareness of the nearing of death may begin to sprout in an individual's mind as a reminder of the shortness of life.

♂ (Ages: 45yrs.-50yrs.) Entry Life Structure for Middle Adulthood: New life structures are formed in this period; said to be the most gratifying time of one's life.

Other transitions:

♂ (Ages: 50yrs.- 55yrs.) Age-50 Transition: A majority of men encounter crisis as they begin acknowledging the different paths to further carry out for the rest of their lives. (Basically, planning for the future)

♂ (Ages: 55yrs.- 60yrs.) Culminating Life Structure for Middle Adulthood: Consummate their life structure framework; period of enlightenment and fulfillment.

♂ (Ages: 60yrs- 65yrs.) Late Adult Transition: Late adulthood preparations are made at this

Show More
Related

  • Successful Aging Elderly (SAE)

    2206 Words  | 5 Pages

    Williams, R. H., & Wirths, C. G. (1965). Lives through the years: Styles of life and successful aging.

    Read More

  • Literary Analysis Of Jeffrey Arnett's 'Medium Tough'

    1262 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today’s culture, the number of issues that the average person has to face on a daily basis, are astronomical. Millennials, in particular, have been greatly affected by this, so much so that a new phase in the human lifespan has been created just for them! Dubbed “emerging adulthood” by psychologist Jeffrey Arnett, plopped smack dab in the middle of adolescence, and adulthood, this phase captures any, and all doubts that 20-29 year olds are plagued with. From their economic standing, to racial, ethnic, and identity issues, and to disabilities ranging from both mental, and physical, this phase captures every single uncertainty, fear, and qualm that one person can possibly have in a neat little package.

    Read More

  • David Levinson's Seasons of A Man's Life

    4190 Words  | 9 Pages

    stage (age 0 - 22), the early adulthood stage (age 17 - 45), the middle adult

    Read More

  • Emerging Adulthood: The Period Of Development

    1578 Words  | 4 Pages

    Emerging Adulthood represents the period of development from late teens through their twenties, mainly focusing on the ages 18-25. This is the period which people start exploring and realizing the capabilities of their lives, which then helps them characterize as adults and no longer teenagers. This topic of psychology is compelling to me because it’s a stage that every adult has lived through, it’s interesting that we have all experienced it differently based on our life circumstances and demographics. It’s interesting to see the changes throughout the years and eventually it will be easier for young people to explore these years as more young adults are going to school nowadays. It teaches me to further understand why emerging adults go through

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Coming Of Age In Literature

    1837 Words  | 4 Pages

    to this event in a person's life which is often ignored. The coming of age is

    Read More

  • Human Development: Erik Erikson and Daniel Levinson

    1204 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Vander Zanden (1997), Erikson says that during each life stage of development, individuals will have to encounter unique life events. These life events enable the individuals to achieve their level of growth through life (Vander Zanden, 1997). Papalia and Olds (1998) say that young adulthood is a can-do period. This is the stage where decision making is important. Exercising their freedom to be independent, and using what they have learnt in their adolescent years. This is the time of exploration, trying things out, and weighing up the pros and cons. This is also the stage where the individual chooses to be away from family, to be independent, make their own decisions, buying their own home, budgeting, finance, accommodation, and day to day living.

    Read More

  • Life History Interview Research Paper

    1329 Words  | 3 Pages

    This reflection paper is based on the life history interview conducted on me and a 78-year-old woman who is soon going to celebrate her 79th birthday on Sep 21st. I would call her with a fictitious name “Smita” in the entire paper to maintain and protect her privacy. The interview was about our life. It was divided into six major life categories: childhood, adulthood, identity, the present, aging, and life lessons. Having an opportunity to interview a 78-year-old woman and writing this reflective paper about the life history and experiences had made me realize that I have a lot to learn about the stages of human life. Every individual lives are different and it varies tremendously. As an interviewee my goal was to collect the details of life, different stories, and experiences that makes our life unique from the rest of the people.

    Read More

  • Erik Erickson's Stages Of Development

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...us stages so now they should be met in this stage. During late adulthood we deal with integrity vs. despair. We’re forced to reflect back on our lives and whether or not we served a purpose in society. If we gain a sense of regret we become bitter because life didn’t go as planned. This stage of life should be thought of as a rollercoaster.

    Read More

  • Life Course Theory Essay

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    “A transition is a discrete life change or event within a trajectory, whereas a trajectory is a sequence of linked states within a conceptually defined range of behavior or experience” (Mitchell, 2003). A life changing event can be categorized as getting married, having a baby, etc. A trajectory event may occur during someone’s educational life, or perhaps during their career. Another life course principle is diversity of heterogeneity in structures or methods. “Matilda Riley’s (1987) research supported a model of age stratification-the different experiences of different cohorts-and so helped to overcome the fallacy of cohort centrism, the notion that cohorts share perspectives simply because they share a common age group” (Mitchell, 2003). Really, these groups are not similar gatherings of individuals, instead they are diverse in aspects such as influential extents like sex, social class, family structure, origin, and belief. Also, the capability to adjust to life course modification can differ with the resources intrinsic in these foundations in the procedure of financial or social wealth or social

    Read More

  • Late Adulthood and Depression

    1568 Words  | 4 Pages

    Late adulthood should be a time in a person's life where they feel fulfilled. They can look back on their memories and be happy with the way they have lived their life. Now, too many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. Most fear death of either a loved one or for themselves. This topic is interesting to me because elderly people should make the best of their last stage of life. This topic discusses about getting older, the life changes that they go through physically, emotionally, and mentally. We should know more about it so that we can help our family and friends get through one of the best, yet toughest part of our mortal life.

    Read More

  • The Sensorimotor Stages: When Parents Are Sensitive To Their Infants

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    When one experiences middle adulthood, unselfish concern for the welfare of the next generation develops through care for other, productive work, and community involvement. Self-indulgence and self-absorption leads to boredom and lack of meaningful

    Read More

  • Erikson's Theory Of Psychosocial Development

    1065 Words  | 3 Pages

    Middle adulthood is the generatively vs. stagnation stages in which an adult must care of others and realize that they need a family or a legacy. During this stage, people will nurture their own family or find ways to nurture others that need to be nurtured outside their immediate family. If an adult does not overcome the crisis during this stage, then they will not grow which will result in them being selfish and

    Read More

  • Emerging Adulthood Essay

    1015 Words  | 3 Pages

    Adulthood has often been associated with independence. It serves as a turning point in life where one has to take responsibility for oneself and no longer being dependent on his or her family. Early adulthood, usually begins from late teens or early twenties and will last until the thirties (Santrock, 2013). Early adulthood revolves around changes and exploration while middle and late adulthood are more of stability. The transition from adolescence and adulthood differs among every individual. The onset of the transition is determined by many factors such as culture, family background, and the personality of the individual. Emerging adulthood (as cited in Santrock, 2014) is the term to describe the transition period from adolescence to adulthood.

    Read More

  • Essay On Middle Adulthood

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    As individuals age they will come to a point in their lives where they are considered to be in middle adulthood. According to Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman (2016), middle adulthood is the range from 30-60 which involves physical and health changes (p. 477). Some individuals may take this time to reflect on their lives and be happy will all of the things they have done and look forward to what is still to come and there may be others who feel that should have changed things or even may experience a “midlife” crisis. AllPsychologyCareers website (2016) states, “Midlife crisis is a time of great emotional upheaval, anxiety, and drastic changes in behavior (para. 13). Middle adulthood can be a time of contentment or even regret.

    Read More

  • Erikson´s Theory of Development: Story of My Life

    1377 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...care. I say this because I was trying to figure out who I could trust (Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman). I have been through the second stage as well; this stage is Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt” (Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman). This happened the most when I was very young and in foster care. I have seen myself go through several other stages as well. Now that I am looking back on my life I would have to say that I never gave up. I always pushed through everything that I had to. I am now at the point where I am trying to find love and success. I now believe that I am in the “Intimacy Versus Isolation Stage” (Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman). My life may not have been perfect; however, I did experience the stages that I was supposed to according to Erickson.

    Read More

More about Daniel Levinson's Comprehensive Adult Development Theory

Open Document