Final Exam
Question
Question 1 (20 points)
Choose two (2) stages of adult development (e.g., Early, Middle, or Late Adulthood) and compare and contrast them. Frame your response in terms of specific concepts and theories as opposed to just anecdotal observations.
Question 2 (20 points)
What are the challenges that members of the "sandwich generation" face? Given what you have learned about various theorists this semester (e.g., Erikson, Jung, etc...), choose ONE and speculate as to what advice he/she would give members of the sandwich generation.
Question 3 (20 points)
What are some of the "pros" of entering late adulthood in terms of physical, psychosocial, and cognitive development? What are some of the "cons?"
Question 4 (20 points)
Describe Kubler-Ross' stages of grief. Critically explore the strengths and weaknesses of that approach to understanding how people process grief.
Question 5 (20 points)
What stage of development are you in? What developmental tasks have you accomplished and what challenges do you still face? Do you look forward to aging? Why or why not?


Solution
Final Exam
Question 1:
As we progress through life, we go
through different stages of development. Each stage brings with it new
challenges and opportunities. Early adulthood is typically characterized by the
transition from adolescence to adulthood (Levinson, 1986). This is a time of
great change, as young adults are confronted with new responsibilities and
challenges. They must learn to navigate the world independently and establish
their own identities.
On the other hand, late adulthood
is a time of maturity and reflection(Levinson, 1986). Older adults have had
more time to experience life and learn from their mistakes. They often have a
better understanding of who they are and what they want out of life. In
conclusion, while both early adulthood and late adulthood are important stages
of development, they differ in many ways.
Each stage has its own unique
challenges and benefits that should be appreciated. One of the key differences
between early adulthood and late adulthood is the assumed level of
responsibility. Young adults begin to take on additional responsibilities as
they enter adulthood, such as working and paying expenses. They must learn to
be independent and manage their own lives. Late adulthood is a time when adults
have more experience and knowledge (Levinson, 1986). They are often in a
position of authority, and they can use their experience to make a positive
impact on the world. Another key difference between these two stages is the
focus on the future. In early adulthood, young adults are typically focused on
the future as they try to establish themselves in the world. Late adulthood is
a time when adults can look back on their lives and reflect on what they have
accomplished (Levinson, 1986). They can also look forward to the future and
plan for whatever may come. In conclusion, while early adulthood and late
adulthood are both important stages of development, they differ in many ways.
Each stage has its own unique challenges and benefits that should be
appreciated.
Question 2:
Adults who are trapped between
caring for their elderly parents and raising their children are referred to as
the sandwich generation. As they try to fulfill the needs of both groups, they
frequently feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Sandwich generation members endure
a number of difficulties. First, they must cope with the emotional stress of
caring for elderly parents who may be ill or frail (Riley & Bowen, 2005).
They also must find time to care for young children, who need constant
attention. And finally, they must manage their finances and home life while
juggling these other responsibilities. Given what we have learned about various
theorists this semester, I would advise members of the sandwich generation to
seek support from others to cope with the stressors they are facing.
Erikson's theory of psychosocial
development suggests that adults need to feel a sense of accomplishment to be
psychologically healthy (Riley & Bowen, 2005). Members of the sandwich
generation may find it difficult to meet the demands of their parents and
children, which can lead to a sense of failure. Jung's personality theory
suggests that we all have a shadow side, which is the part of ourselves that we
do not like or want to acknowledge. The sandwich generation may feel guilty or
ashamed about their feelings of resentment towards their parents or children. To
overcome these challenges, I would advise members of the sandwich generation to
seek out support from friends, family, and professionals (Riley & Bowen,
2005). They can talk about their feelings and concerns and learn how to cope
with their stressors. By seeking support, members of the sandwich generation
can better manage their challenges and improve their emotional well-being.
Question 3:
As people enter late adulthood,
they experience a number of physical, psychosocial, and cognitive changes.
While some of these changes can be viewed as "pros" in that they
offer new opportunities and experiences, others may be seen as "cons"
because they present challenges and difficulties. Physical changes that occur
in late adulthood can be viewed as pros because they offer new opportunities
for activity and adventure. For example, adults in late adulthood may experience
an increase in strength and energy, which allows them to participate in more
physical activities (Schmid & Fegert, 2013). They may also have a better
sense of balance and coordination, making activities such as skiing or dancing
more enjoyable. Additionally, adults in late adulthood may have a better sense
of smell and taste, making foods taste more flavorful. Psychosocial changes
that occur in late adulthood can also be viewed as pros because they offer new
opportunities for growth and development. For example, adults in late adulthood
may become more emotionally stable and thus better able to deal with stress (Schmid
& Fegert, 2013). They may also have increased wisdom and life experience, allowing
them to provide valuable insights and perspectives. Additionally, adults in
late adulthood may become more social and enjoy greater intimacy with others.
Cognitive changes that occur in late adulthood can also be viewed as pros
because they offer new opportunities for learning and growth (Schmid &
Fegert, 2013). For example, adults in late adulthood may have a better ability
to focus and concentrate, allowing them to learn new skills more easily. They
may also have increased memory capacity, which can allow them to remember
information more accuratelyIt should be emphasized, however, that some
cognitive talents, such as response time, may deteriorate as people age (Schmid
& Fegert, 2013). Thus, while there are many pros to entering late
adulthood, there are also some cons. It is important to be aware of both the
pros and cons when entering into this stage of life.
Question 4:
The Kubler-Ross stages of grief are
five mental and emotional states that people may go through after experiencing
a life-changing event (Kübler-Ross, & Kessler, 2009). Denial, rage, bargaining,
sadness, and acceptance are some of them. It's vital to remember that these
stages are not sequential; they can happen in any order or simultaneously.
Furthermore, while there is no time limit on the duration of each stage (and it
can take months or years before someone progresses), some people may experience
more than one stage at a time (Kübler-Ross, & Kessler, 2009). For instance,
an individual might move from denial to anger to bargaining all within the same
day. Indeed, for many people, these stages represent what happens when we
process our emotions following significant loss rather than how we feel about
the loss itself.
The Kubler-Ross stages of grief
model have been extensively studied and applied in both clinical and
non-clinical settings (Kübler-Ross, & Kessler, 2009). It is considered one
of the most comprehensive models of grief available and has been used to help
people understand their own emotions and the emotions of others. The model is
also helpful because it allows for a degree of flexibility; while there are
specific stages, they are not rigid or inflexible(Kübler-Ross, 1973). This
means that people can still experience different emotions when grieving and
that their journey through grief is unique to them.
Despite its strengths, Kubler-Ross's
stages of grief model have some weaknesses. Firstly, it is based on a Western
perspective of death and dying, which may not be applicable in non-Western
cultures. Secondly, the model assumes that people will go through all five
stages and that these stages are universally experienced (Kübler-Ross, 1973).
This is not always the case, as some people may experience only a few stages or
skip certain stages altogether. Finally, the model does not consider different
coping mechanisms that people may use to process grief (Kübler-Ross, 1973). For
instance, some people may rely on religion or spirituality, while others may
use writing or art to express their emotions. Overall, Kubler-Ross' stages of
grief model is a widely accepted and well-studied model of grief (Kübler-Ross,
1973). It is helpful in both individual understanding emotions and the emotions
of others. It is important to highlight, however, that the model is not ideal
and should be used in conjunction with other models r frameworks (Kübler-Ross,
1973).
Question 5:
It is often said that the young are
the hope of the future (Newman & Newman, 2017). This may be true, but it is
also true that the elderly are the keepers of history. As we age, we accumulate
wisdom and experience that can help us make better decisions for ourselves and
those around us (Newman & Newman, 2017). I am in the middle of my journey
through life. I have accomplished many things already, but there is still much
left to do. I have achieved a sense of self-identity and independence in terms
of developmental tasks. I know who I am, and I can make decisions for myself. I
am also beginning to establish my own personal values and beliefs. My relationships
with others are becoming more intimate, and I am starting to think about my
role in the world. There are still challenges ahead, of course. I need to
continue developing my sense of self-identity and become even more independent.
I need to explore my beliefs and values more deeply and figure out what I stand
for. And I need to strengthen my relationships with others, both platonic and
romantic. I look forward to aging because I know that it will bring new
opportunities and challenges. As I get older, I will continue to grow and
learn. I will become more experienced and wise, and I will be able to
contribute more to the world (Newman & Newman, 2017). I am excited to see
what the future holds, and I look forward to experiencing all that life has to
offer.
References
Kübler-Ross,
E. (1973). On death and dying. Routledge.
Kübler-Ross,
E., & Kessler, D. (2009). The five stages of grief. In Library of Congress
Catalogin in Publication Data (Ed.), On grief and grieving (pp. 7-30).
Levinson,
D. J. (1986). A conception of adult development. American psychologist, 41(1),
3.
Newman,
B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2017). Development through life: A psychosocial
approach. Cengage Learning.
Riley,
L. D., & Bowen, C. P. (2005). The sandwich generation: Challenges and coping
strategies of multigenerational families. The Family Journal, 13(1), 52-58.
Schmid,
M., Petermann, F., & Fegert, J. M. (2013). Developmental trauma disorder:
pros and cons of including formal criteria in the psychiatric diagnostic
systems. BMC psychiatry, 13(1), 1-12.




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