We are delighted to welcome you to the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2017, taking place in Budapest, Hungary, from 29 of April to 1 of May, 2017. Modern psychology offers a large range of scientific fields where it can be applied. The goal of understanding individuals and groups (mental functions and…

Exposure to models and theories about adult development gives learners structure and language they can apply to their own experiences. Responses of 65 women in a development course brought out 6 themes: knowing oneself, accepting oneself, connecting with others, changing perspectives, empowering oneself, and seeking growth and development. (SK)

Examined whether ego identity status transition pathways and change rates differ significantly across domains of identity development from adolescence through middle adulthood. Interviews with 100 middle-aged adults regarding development of values in vocation, religion, politics, gender roles, and relationships identified 8 subgroups which varied…

The possible selves construct is presented as a useful and largely untapped perspective on adult learning. Special attention is given to the role of educational helping relationships in fostering positive possible selves among adult learners.

The impact of early life events that take place under specific historical and societal circumstances on adult development have rarely been investigated in old age. We examined whether having started a family in young adulthood was related to the contents of possible selves generated by women aged 85 to 100+ in the Berlin Aging Study (N = 129; M…

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…

A self-instructional program in which teacher participants are asked to work individually as well as in groups is presented. Directions are provided for each activity. The program is divided into four major sections: (1)The Role of Adult Education, (2) Techniques for Building a Positive Self-Image; (3) Self-Application of Techniques, and (4)…

This study examined four older adults at the time of retirement to determine the extent to which there was intraindividual variability and stability in self-concept during the retirement transition, and to see whether patterns of change were replicable across subjects. Results showed that three to four dimensions of self-concept variability…

The author makes a case for needed research on mid-life career change and stability. The study of those who have made career changes during the middle years would contribute to the understanding of normal development, the impact of career change on identity psychological well-being and personality. (SJL)

The past 15 years have brought a re-evaluation of women's adult development in light feminist thinking. However, many outdated assumptions in psychological theory remain comfortably ensconced; to challenge these ideas, some misrepresentations of women's experience are examined. The focus is on Erik Erikson's explanation of the second stage of…

Gifted adults are recognized by society solely by their achievements, though the unusual developmental trajectory of the gifted creates an extraordinary experience of life at any age. The achievement orientation is now taking over gifted education and makes it difficult for the gifted to understand and honor the qualities of mind that make them…

The new American College Testing (ACT) College Outcomes Survey was used with a national sample of 9,348 undergraduate students to evaluate the effects of college on the personal and social self-concept of students. About one-third of the sample were over age 26. Outcomes for adult learners were compared with those of younger students. An "index of…

Examines cognitive barriers to an individual's personalizing information about social discrimination against groups in which he/she is a member. Results suggest that individuals are more aware of discrimination against others than against themselves and are more likely to attribute personal efficacy and control to themselves than to others. (SA)

Between the ages of thirty-five and fifty, adults become engrossed in questioning the meaning of work, marriage, and life itself. In the process, they must confront long-held false beliefs in their own immortality, safety, and innocence. (Author)

This study examined the importance of personality characteristics to identity formation using data from Terman's longitudinal study of high IQ children. Results indicate that positive traits such as perseverance, purposiveness, desire to excel, and self-confidence are conducive to a successful identity formation and to the adoption of the…