Chapter 14

• Recentering - is a name for the process that underlies the shift to an adult identity. It is the primary task of emerging adulthood.
• Recentering is a three-stage process
• At stage 1, the beginning of emerging adulthood, the individual is still embedded in the family of origin, but expectations for self-reliance and self-directedness begin to increase.
• In stage 2, during emerging adulthood, the individual remains connected to but no longer embedded within the family of origin.
• In stage 3, usually by age 30, the individual moves into young adulthood. This stage is marked by independence from the family of origin (while retaining close ties to it) and commitment to a career, a partner, and possibly children
• Identity confusion persists for 10 to 20 percent, who lack what Erikson called fidelity: faith in something larger than themselves
• Normative-stage models- changes having to do with personal goals, work, and relationships occur in stages
• Timing-of-events model -life Nonnormative timing of life events can cause stress and affect personality development
• Trait models - personality changes substantially until age 30
• Typological models - certain events can change the life course
• Intimacy versus isolation - Erikson’s sixth stage of psychosocial development, in which young adults either form strong, long-lasting bonds with friends and romantic partners or face a possible sense of isolation and self-absorption
• Timing-of-events model - as a response to the expected or unexpected occurrence and timing of important life events.
• Normative life events - commonly expected life experiences that occur at customary times.
• Social clock - Set of cultural norms or expectations for the times of life
• Trait models - focus on mental, emotional, temperamental, and behavioral traits, or attributes.
• Five-factor model - neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness.
• Three personality types: ego-resilient, over-controlled, and under controlled
• Ego-resilient people are well-adjusted
• Over-controlled people - they tend to keep their thoughts to themselves and to withdraw from conflict, and they are the most subject to depression.
• Under controlled people are active, energetic, impulsive, stubborn, and easily distracted. Ego resiliency interacts with ego control to determine whether or not behavior is adaptive or maladaptive.
• Intimate relationships require self-awareness; empathy; the ability to communicate emotions, resolve conflicts, and sustain commitments; and, if the relationship is potentially a sexual one, sexual decision making.
• Fictive kin - Friends who are considered and behave like family members.
• Robert J. Sternberg’s theory that patterns of love hinge on the balance among three elements: intimacy, passion, and commitment.
• Nonlove- All three components of love-intimacy, passion, and commitment- are absent
• Liking - Intimacy is the only component present
• Infatuation - Passion is the only component present
• Empty love - Commitment is the only component present
• Romantic love - Intimacy and passion are both present
• Companionate love - intimacy and passion are both present
• Fatuous love - passion and commitment are present without intimacy
• Consummate love - all three components are present in this "complete" love