1) There are three main stages of adult development: physiological needs, cognition and motivation, and self-actualization. 2) Physiological needs change with age, including some age-related declines in senses and metabolic changes, but emotional responses remain intact even in old age. 3) Cognition and motivation in adulthood involves a shift to internal locus of control and quality of social interactions. Self-actualization in later life focuses on growth, truth, and playfulness despite some losses in abilities.

1. Stages of Adult DevelopmentStages of Adult Development
Chapter 10, Motivation: Beliefs, Goals and Affect
Steven Mendoza, Ph.D.,MSCPAdjunct Assistant Professor

2. Physiological-Based NeedsPhysiological-Based Needs
• Needs impel arousal
• Arousal drives behaviors to satisfy needs
• Eating/drinking
– Age-related physiological changes
– Small but measurable declines in some of
the senses resulting in less pleasure
– Metabolic changes reduces some needs

3. Physiological-Based NeedsPhysiological-Based Needs
• Arousal
– Research on age-related changes within
central nervous system indicate under-
arousal
– Relationships have been found between
slowing of EEG and cognitive functioning
in institutionalized elderly
– This relationship is not seen in elderly in
the community

4. Physiological-Based NeedsPhysiological-Based Needs
• Emotion
– In one study (Levenson, et al., 1991, 1999)
• Elderly were found to have same pattern of physiological
and facial expressions when recalling emotional events
• Even in old age ANS responsivity is intact
• But the magnitude is smaller compared with youth
• Anxiety
– Does not increase with age
– Trait anxiety remains stable throughout life span
– What people worry about does change
• Younger adults worry about family and finances
• Older adults worry about health

5. Cognition and MotivationCognition and Motivation
• Two types of control
– Primary-how one’s actions shape the external
world
– Secondary –perception of internalized control
mechanisms
• Denial, change goals, egoistic attributions
• Internal locus of control
– Behavior influences the outcome
• External locus of control
– Events are outside of control

6. Cognition and MotivationCognition and Motivation
• Why important
– People with higher internal locus of control have
• Better health
• Better mental health
• Better memories
• Higher intellectual functioning
• Higher educational attainment
• Higher socioeconomic status
• Adults in midlife continue to be motivated
• Learned dependency rather than
physical/mental limitations

7. Disengagement Vs. ActivityDisengagement Vs. Activity
• Disengagement theory
– Reduction in social contact is natural and desirable
• Activity Theory
– Greater activity = greater satisfaction
• Socio-emotional selectivity theory (Baltes & Carstensen, 1999)
– Purpose of social interactions and quality of social contacts
more important rather than sheer number of activities
– Selectivity begins in mid-adulthood
– Not all activities are adaptive for all
– Sheer frequency is not as important as quality
– Choice and activity should be based on individual

8. Moral Values and SpiritualityMoral Values and Spirituality
• In U.S., 60% of adults stated religion “very
important” in their lives (Gallup, 1999)
• U.S. reports highest church attendance of Western
Nations
– U.S. 40%
– Canada, Australia, Belgium: 20-25%
– England: 10%
• Participation in organized religious service peaks in
50-60s
• Participation in non-organized religious activities
(prayer, etc.) stay constant

9. Moral Values and SpiritualityMoral Values and Spirituality
• Various dimensions of religion have been positively
correlated with physical and mental health
– Religion plays a strong role by:
• Providing coping skills, increases well being, self-esteem,
reduces depression
– What are the theories for why religion seems to be an
effective buffer?
• Religious involvement:
– Increases social contact
– Imparts a greater sense in intrinsic moral self-worth
– Fosters life style that is more healthy
– Provided coping mechanism such as prayer

10. Self-ActualizationSelf-Actualization
• Maslow’s Hierarch of Needs
– Based his research of brain injured soldiers
– Similarities with aging?
• Loss of some ability to cope with novel
situations or to regain previous level of
competence
• Self-actualizing
– Try to become better, to grow to be the best possible
– We strive for truth, honesty, beauty, justice, order
and playfulness