Examines earlier conceptualizations of successful aging and calls for a reformulation that is more responsive to developmental processes and theoretical guidance. Discusses issues of operational definitions, selective sampling, and stage theory. The perspective is illustrated with empirical research in the personality realm. (Author)

Recent books relevant to the counseling of adults and adult development are here briefly reviewed. Relevance was interpreted to eliminate books dealing solely with the years beyond mid-life. Recency is used to include books from 1972 on. (Author)

Surveyed randomly selected adults (n=319) in the Chicago metropolitan area and questioned them on whether cultural schedules exist for the timing of life transitions. Respondents perceived deadlines for most of the family transitions discussed. (SNR)