The changing social and economic landscape across European Member States and beyond has had a disproportionate effect on older adults. Nowhere is this more keenly felt than among the "buffer generation" of men caught between the silent, strong, austere masculinity of their forefathers and contemporary society--progressive, open and…

Developmental theory is used to clarify the academic career process. Information from college professors at five vocational stages indicates that some attributes change very little, some evolve directly, and others follow indirect paths of development. Important implications for faculty and administrators are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The temporal order in which a man finishes school, starts working, and first marries is an important characteristic of his life course. Ordering patterns are distributed on a scale of the degree of conformity with the normative ordering of events. (Author)

Identifies the common elements from three popular adult development theories (Gould, Levinson et al., and Sheehy). Synthesizes these elements into a framework for describing development during the young adult years. Defines the concept of developmental transition. Discusses the implications of a composite adult development framework for helping…

Male and female adults revise their perceptions of control three times in their lives, between the ages of 20 and 65. To investigate the relationship between experienced control in terms of loci of control (internal, external), situations (opposite sex, same sex), and direction (from or over the environment), and the developmental stages of men…

In two major articles a model is introduced for analyzing human adaptation to transition, and intervention strategies are presented for coping with transitions. Includes four reactions of other authors to the articles. Suggests adaptation to transition is influenced by characteristics of the transition, its supports, and by individual…

This staff development module is part of one of three groups of career guidance modules developed, field-tested, and revised by a six-state consortium coordinated by the American Institutes for Research. This module is designed for guidance personnel who work in counseling and guidance with adults in community colleges, mental health settings,…

Homo sapiens is the only extant species for which there exists a significant post-reproductive period in the normal lifespan. Explanations for the evolution of this species-specific trait are possible through "non-deterministic" theories of aging positing "wear and tear" or the failure of nature to eliminate imperfection, or…

A review is presented of studies which examine the psychological predictors of successful adult performance, or life skill success. Scholastic achievement is generally regarded as an ineffective predictor of successful life performance. It is suggested that factors such as ego maturity and personal competence (developmental psychological…

This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of empirical knowledge about adult development and learning. It is addressed to practitioners in the helping professions who help adults adapt, learn, and grow. The handbook begins with an examination of the concept of adult development and a discussion of persons (practitioners) who facilitate adult…

In March 1959, Howard McClusky introduced his Power Load Margin (PLM) theory and proposed that it be used for studying the adult years and for developing and building realistic educational programs for adults. His formula, which states that the key components of adulthood are load (the demands made upon the individual by self and society) and…

A study that examined the personality and environmental factors affecting South African female career interest and career commitment at different life phases resulted in development of a model of vocational behavior. Selected for the study sample were 111 graduated white women employed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The…