The topic of an optimal or utopian life has received much attention across the humanities and the arts but not in psychology. The German concept of Sehnsucht captures individual and collective thoughts and feelings about one's optimal or utopian life. Sehnsucht (life longings; LLs) is defined as an intense desire for alternative states and…

This paper elucidates the implications of life-span developmental psychology for theory and method in the field of child development. Emphasis is given to three theoretical issues: (1) historical-evolutionary versus ontogenetic components of change, (2) the role of chronological age, and (3) continuity versus discontinuity in the description and…

Defines life-span developmental psychology as the study of constancy and change in behavior throughout the life course. Advances metatheoretical view regarding development. Stresses focus on the dynamic and continuous interplay between growth (gain) and decline (loss). Examines structural contextual factors and study of range of plasticity in…

This reply to Horn and Donaldson is previous critique of Schaie and Baltes' Research and writings on intelligence in adulthood and old age has two parts: the first discusses theoretical perspectives and the second makes observations on the empirical data base. (Author/AM)

The nature of adolescent trait change appears less dictated by are-related components than by the type of social change patterns which are setting the environmental milieu for adolescents of all ages over a given period of time. (Authors)