Piaget's egocentrism and Witkin's psychological differentiation are important constructs in theories of cognitive development. A comparison of these concepts could lead to an increased understanding of cognitive development in the older adult. In a test of Witkin's revised model of psychological differentiation, the Portable Rod and Frame Test…

The age-status system in adulthood was investigated, using a 58-item instrument which divided adulthood subjectively into three periods: normative expectations for various adulthood developmental tasks (marriage, parenthood, employment, retirement, etc.); the lower age constraints ("too young") for these behaviors. In addition, 22 items regarding…

Simultaneous maximum likelihood procedures were used to investigate the generality of ability factor structure in adulthood and old age. Data were analyzed for 198 subjects aged 15-32; 173 subjects aged 51-67; and 153 subjects aged 68-83. Variables were 14 ability tests marking five cognitive factors: verbal comprehension, number facility,…

Personality theorists have suggested the critical importance of parenting characteristics on the development of a child's personality. Missildine's (1963) classification of parenting characteristics and their effects on the adult personality were investigated using an experimental measure, the Inner Child Inventory (ICI), to assess perceived…

These proceedings from the second conference on the Epidemiology of Aging sponsored by the National Institutes of Health indicate the direction of recent research and concern in this area. Attempts are made to formulate a definition of aging other than that of chronological age. A number of biomedical correlates of aging are addressed, including…

Although anecdotal material suggests that parenting changes people, experimental tests in this area are lacking. Undergraduates (N=139) and their same-sex parents read one of eight summaries of parent-child interactions which varied in terms of success and in terms of the sex of the story character. Descriptions were reduced to three parent…

In 1969 the Census Bureau carried out a study that found that nearly 85 percent of the participants in all kinds of adult education had successfully completed high school or a higher level of education. The study further showed that the more schooling an adult had completed, the more likely he or she would be to pursue some kind of further…

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)…

Laboratory education is discussed from three viewpoints: (1) as an instrument for adult resocialization, (2) as an educational challenge which promotes personal but not social reconstruction, and (3) as a value medium which operates against the intellectual and independence modes. Criticism is focused on what the laboratory education technique…

One hundred and sixty-two subjects of three age levels were tested to examine the relationship between crystallized and fluid abilities and three problem solving tasks varying in the abstractness/concreteness of their stimuli and emphasis on past experience. These dimensions have been used by Davis to distinguish between Type "O" and Type "C"…

The purpose of this study was to examine how different ways of measuring interaction may affect its relationship with personal adjustment. The number of persons with whom the subject interacted, and the frequency of this interaction, are of little importance for the adjustment of older people. Quality, rather than quantity, of social interaction…

Social endorsement of the classical theory of disengagement which explains the social and psychological withdrawal of older people has resulted in the unhappiness of many Americans. American society must allow older persons to remain actively engaged in meaningful activities throughout their life spans. This article discusses the communication…

Blocks to formal learning during mid-life (ages thirty-five to forty-five) are fairly prevalent. Discusses five psychological blocks to successful learning for adults in this age period and suggests ways adult educators can deal with these blocks. (EM)

Comments on a report released in October, 1975, by the U.S. Office of Education on the inability of 20 percent of American adults to function effectively in their daily duties and activities. (Author/RK)

Young (N=38) and 2( older career changers in business-managerial occupations were compared to 45 young and 40 older vocationally stable controls with respect to several characteristics. Results showed career changers were characterized by high incongruity, emotional maladjustment, and fear of failure, and low differentiation and consistency of…