The Big Five Theory

Developmental Psychology Chapter 18 Handout

Neugarten’s Study on 70+ Personality*

1. Disintegrated & Disorganized -unable to accept aging, despair, often end in nursing homes/hospitals 2. Passive-dependent -lives of fear and seek too much help 3. Defended -seek to ward off again by acting young, may have unrealistic expectations 4. Integrated -cope comfortably with aging. Largest number of elderly

Decision to Retire Retire Keep Working

Adequate retirement benefits Limited or no retirement benefits Compelling leisure interests Few leisure interests Low work commitment High work commitment Declining health Good health Spouse retiring Spouse working Routine, boring job Flexible work schedule Pleasant, stimulating work

Erik Erikson A. This occurs when older adults feel whole, complete, and satisfied with their achievements, having accepted their life course as something that had to be the way it was.

Ego integrity B. A person calls up, reflects on, and reconsiders past experiences, contemplating their meaning with the goal of achieving greater self-understanding.

Despair C. This occurs when older adults are able to look beyond their physical limitations and focus instead on their cognitive and social abilities.

Robert Peck D. This theorist emphasized that the conflict of ego integrity versus despair comprises three distinct tasks.

Ego differentiation E. This occurs when older adults have the ability to find various ways, outside of their occupation, to affirm their self-worth.

Body transcendence F. This occurs when older adults develop the ability to invest in a longer future than their own lifespan.

Ego transcendence G. This encompasses the telling of stories about people and events from their past and reporting associated thoughts and feelings.

Reminiscence H. This theorist defines later adulthood as a time when individuals come to terms with their life.

Life review I. This occurs when older adults feel that they have made many wrong decisions in life and are overwhelmed with feelings of bitterness, defeat, and hopelessness. Disintegrated and disorganized A. successful aging occurs when people maintain the interests, activities, and social interactions with which they were involved during middle age

Passive-dependent B. come to grips with realities of retirement and feel fulfilled with this new phase of life

Defended C. most successful individuals who cope comfortably with aging; accept becoming older and maintain a sense of self dignity

Integrated D. engage in a variety of activities, such as travel, previously hindered by working full- time

Disengagement theory E. retirement is not all that they thought it would be; may miss the stimulation of a job or may find it difficult to keep busy

Activity theory F. lead lives filled with fears -- fear of falling ill, fear of the future, fear of own inability to cope, may seek out help when don't need it

Continuity theory G. he process by which people concentrate on selected skill areas to compensate for losses in other areas

Selective optimization H. although some people do this by going back to work, it occurs for most people because of major physical deterioration where their health becomes so bad they can no longer function independently

Honeymoon I. seek to ward off aging rather than accepting it, may attempt to act young and exercise vigorously; may set up unrealistic expectations for themselves and feel disappointed as a result

Disenchantment J. people need to maintain their desired level of involvement in society in order to maximize their sense of well-being and self-esteem

Reorientation K. reconsider options and become engaged in new, more fulfilling activities; if successful, it leads them to the next stage

Retirement routine L. unable to accept aging and experience despair as get older; often end up in nursing homes or are hospitalized

Termination M. period in late adulthood that marks a gradual withdrawal from the world on physical, psychological, and social levels