Research on young adult development provides important insights into the issues and tasks that distinguish this stage from other stages of the life span and that have significant implications for continuing education. (JOW)

Attempted to better delineate nature of simple reminiscence (recall of past experiences). Used constant comparative method to analyze transcripts of older adults' reminiscences and found that the process consists of four elements: selection, immersion, withdrawal, and closure. (Author/NB)

In the areas of adult development and adult learning, research is seldom confined to observable behavior. Therefore, documentary records of human experience should be used. (JOW)

Adult life consists of alternating periods of stability and transition. The nature of life transitions in adulthood and their potential for learning and development are the focus of this chapter.

Data from the National Longitudinal Study were used to relate seven life experiences with four developmental outcomes (personal agency, political participation, concern for social inequality, and social action). Each of the life experiences was significantly related to one or more outcomes, supporting the connection of life experience, learning,…

Reviews concepts of meaning making in classical and contemporary writing. Examines models of cognitive and ego development linked with meaning making and draws a model of the relationship of meaning making to adult learning and development. (SK)

Interviews with 18 adults who identified negative outcomes from life experience learning showed that, if experience challenges self-definition, growth-inhibiting responses develop. When the threat to self is reduced, growth may result from negative experiences. (SK)

How adults change over time is best understood through consideration of three kinds of time: historical time period, chronological age, and culturally specific social timetable of life events. Time provides a context for understanding developmental processes. (SK)

Two-hundred seventy women, divided into three age groups and three income levels, were asked to evaluate the importance of five family-related developmental tasks, as defined by Robert Havighurst. Results affirm that younger women facing decisions about marriage, family, and home consider these tasks significantly less important than do older…

The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize the literature on adult development and to suggest how this information can be applied to the practice of adult education. The first section discusses the nature of adult development, its definition, and key concepts. Sequential patterns of change in adulthood are examined in section 2,…

This book presents an overview of the body of knowledge about adult learning, including the context in which it takes place, who the participants are, what they learn and why, the nature of the learning process, the development of theory in adult learning, and other issues relevant to the practice of adult learning. The book takes into account…

Surveyed unemployed people to determine whether the interpretation of a life event such as job loss, is a function of life stage. No significant differences were found for sources of informal support, blame and worry, and physical and mental health. Age and gender proved significant in consideration of factors affecting success in finding a job.…

Intended for adult educators, this book is a comprehensive overview and synthesis of what is known about adult learning. Part 1 describes the context of learning. Chapters 1-4 describe the following: the sociocultural context; the range of settings and ways they influence learners and the learning process; literature on who participates in formal…

This book contains 11 theory-based chapters reporting the findings of a study on patterns of work, love, and learning in adulthood. (The study gathered data about events related to work, relationships, and learning from 405 adults and graphed them to identify life patterns.) The following topics are covered: (1) the origins and development of the…