The psychologist Erik Erikson describes his epigenetic theory of the stages of human development; Joan Erikson discusses the function of art as a healing medium. (SK)

Although it may be so subtle that it is not noticed or sudden and life altering, adult development occurs in a cycle of four inherent processes: transaction, transition, transformation, and transcendence. These processes exist in a cycle characterized by growth and development. The processes can be defined as follows: (1) transaction--personal,…

Reviews studies of the nature of human growth. Suggests that adults can find within themselves and within the educational community all the resources needed to facilitate their growing process. (DMM)

The views of a professor of social work about her sabbatical leave overseas as a point of transition in her academic career, and as an occasion for challenge and reflection in her life and work, are presented. She left to escape the pressures of duties, obligations, strictures, and expectations that surround a relatively successful academic…

The relationship of continuing personal growth and improved self-concept on the part of the teacher and effectiveness in teaching is discussed. (JD)

Self-concept is an important element in the growth and developmental process for individual human beings. Adult learners in institutional programs need assistance in probing their inner selves to be able to move ahead in their lives. David Kolb's work with the experiental learning model is especially appropriate in dealing with adult learners. In…

The role of the mentor is traced in the literature of adult developmental psychology. Four primary elements of that role are: pointing the way at a developmental crossroad, offering material and/or emotional support, challenging, and letting go at the appropriate time. (MSE)

A multifaceted approach to adult development was empirically tested with 449 adult students enrolled in a large metropolitan community college system in the midwest. This approach suggests that most adults assume multiple life roles (relationship with self, with work, with others, and with family). The Adult Life Roles Instrument was designed to…

This document is one of a series by the Youth Development Center at the University of Minnesota dedicated to the discussion of youth. Thirteen participants from various social science fields were asked to present a perspective on youth from the viewpoints of their profession or discipline. This dialogue, an edited and restructured version of the…

The power of an adult developmental perspective for educators is discussed and its relevance to teacher evaluation explored. The conversation among four Florida school districts about teacher evaluation, professional development, and school improvement shows their interest in methods to allow adults to participate in shaping their own professional…

Indicates that women experiencing a midlife crisis pass through five recognizable stages: (1) feeling trapped, (2) the first change, (3) multiple changes, (4) rational planning, and (5) implementing the plan. (NKA)

Research has shown that the transition period from a man's completion of school to first full-time job and first marriage has become shorter in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to explain part of the time reduction in this transitional period. Early in the twentieth century the transition took about 18 years because many men left school…

The long-held belief that a person became an adult at about 20 years of age and, henceforth, remained psychologically and physically on a plateau until old age, has recently been found unacceptable in the light of research contributed by developmental psychology. Adult development may be viewed as the function of the interaction of the…

This paper describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a Deliberate Psychological Education Curriculum to promote the ego, moral, and conceptual development of inservice teachers enrolled in a five-week workshop, followed by a supervised fall quarter practicum. Significant differences were found between experimental and control groups…