The developmental exchange is a central feature of social development, interpersonal dynamics, situated learning, and personal transformation. It is the enabling process in Guided Autobiography (GAB) settings that promotes the achievement of personal goals and group accomplishments. Nevertheless, these exchanges are embedded in the GAB structures…

This article explores a relatively new and little understood phenomenon, that of the Australian Grey Nomads. Every year increasing numbers of older Australians take to the road. This article explores the phenomenon both empirically and theoretically. A grounded approach is used by which the experience is explored from an ethnographic account…

Compared Sibling Thematic Apperception Test scores of 30 men and 30 women, divided equally between stages of child-rearing and empty nest, who had same-sex, closely-spaced sibling, to examine sibling relationships during adulthood. Results showed no differences in affiliation or conflict theme frequencies between two life stages. Separation themes…

Many studies point out the importance of marital satisfaction for well-being. However, although being married is still the norm in middle and old age, research on the determinants of marital satisfaction has neglected long-term marriages. While research on short-term marriages mainly focuses on partner fit (e.g., in personality traits and…

Examined age differences in memory in 12 younger and 12 older adults who kept diaries of memory failures and use of memory aids. Results suggested that older adults experience more memory failures and are more upset, but deal with this problem by increased use of memory aids. (JAC)

Used visual search technique on three adult age groups to assess adult age differences in visual information extraction. For all age groups, search for structural targets embedded in prose was faster than for phonemic or semantic targets. With targets embedded in prose, oldest group required more time to detect targets. (AL)

Investigated the midcareer crisis and examined sex differences distinguishing midcareer changers (N=134). The results revealed that individuals who changed careers scored significantly higher on identity achievement and affiliation, and there was a significant positive correlation between identity achievement and self-concept. No sex differences…

Examined the internal consistency and construct validity of an expanded version of the Inventory of Psychosocial Development (E-IPD), which included the generativity and ego integrity scales creatd by Boylin et al. Total E-IPD scores from 79 adults were found to have high internal consistency, but many individual stage scales did not. (Author)

Examined volunteering bias in racial, gender, and age groups in an adult development study. Results showed the middle-aged group volunteered at a higher rate, but this effect was restricted to Whites. Women volunteered more readily than men, except the elderly. Whites volunteered more readily than Blacks. (JAC)

Explored the relationships between chronological age, year of measurement, cohort membership, education, and perception of horizontal peerships versus vertical different status associations in 1,428 adults in a 1957 study and a replication in 1976. Data from a thematic apperception procedure showed significant age changes in interpersonal…

Assessed adults (N=88) on tasks operationally defining short-term memory structural limitations and process abilities. Although a number of minor chronological age-related differences were noted between monaural and dichotic word list performances, the findings indicated both structural capacity and organizational strategy deficiencies over…

Examined the relationship between early adult life goals and feelings of success and satisfaction in aging for 144 gifted adults. Results showed significant sex differences with men reporting greater goal attainment. Women with occupational goals at age 30 reported lower feelings of goal attainment at age 70. (JAC)

For men life satisfaction was related to age stage in a monotonic increasing fashion. Life satisfaction scores remained relatively constant across the age stages for women. Family life and standard of living were found to be significant determinants of life satisfaction, for both sexes at each stage of adulthood. (Author)

Examined four large surveys to establish the existence of passages. Results indicated that age groups and their associated passages can be identified. The passages appear to progress with time, but are not stable across cultures. Suggests that the generational event theory provides a better model for explanation. (JAC)

Explored the roles chronological age and gender play in subjective time experience (STE). Found STE to vary widely among individuals, some being "accurate,""retarded," or "advanced." Suggests males were more retarded in STE, and chronological age plays a key role in transitions in STE. (Author/RC)