This study challenged the assumption that all adults who did not complete high school are representative of the same low literate population. The 15-month qualitative study entailed conducting 79 in-depth biographical interviews with a diverse group of subjects. Several underlying concepts appeared to influence the adult development of the…

Examined which memory dimensions deteriorate with increasing age and examines the construct validity of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) (N=1,264 males and 1,141 females at six age intervals). Visual-spatial memory tasks, remembering stories, and learning pairs of associated words proved more difficult with advanced age. (JAC)

An experiment in home improvement shows important gains for socially deprived students. (GB)

Presents a critique of research on midlife adult career development, outlining a multidimensional theory based on the work of Levinson, Super, Erickson, Hall, and others. Elaborates some limitations of life stage research and discusses implications for education-work policy and practice. (SK)

Professional values of 241 physicians were determined from analyzing responses to 25 questionnaire items about an ideal medical school. Few differences were found for the seven factors (values), academic, professional, separatism, support, social welfare, research/specialization, status/prestige, and convenience. When values were analyzed by age…

Explores several crucial factors that may be involved in the high level of teachers' disenchantment with their work. Cites several approaches that teacher educators can use to help teachers cope with the pressures of teaching. (FL)

Determined nonbiological characteristics that discriminated between age groups and hypothesized life stages for these groups (provisional adulthood, age 30 transition, and settling down). Life stages do not fit completely but were of some use in describing the age groups, particularly provisional adulthood and settling down. (Author/BEF)

For men life satisfaction was related to age stage in a monotonic increasing fashion. Life satisfaction scores remained relatively constant across the age stages for women. Family life and standard of living were found to be significant determinants of life satisfaction, for both sexes at each stage of adulthood. (Author)

Activities of the Adult Student Personnel Association emphasized life planning and counseling services for adult learners. (SK)

Explains how to use the techniques of interviewing to motivate older adults in a writing workshop. (FL)

Based on an attributional model of achievement-related behavior, success of a young person and failure of an old person (expected outcomes) were predicted to be attributed to stable causes. Results are discussed in terms of conditions under which negative stereotypes concerning competency of the elderly exert influence. (Author)

A developmental theory of adult intelligence is proposed called PPIK. The PPIK theory integrates intelligence as process, personality, interests, and intelligence-as-knowledge. Data from the study of knowledge structures are examined in the context of the theory and in relation to measures of content abilities. (SLD)

In opposition to the dominant economic agenda in adult education, a new cultural psychology of learning and development emphasizes learning as a social goal and fosters understanding of how people survive, rebuild, and learn through difficult times. Reflective conversations with an unemployed man illustrate the emotional and social processes of…