Issues of Stability vs. Change
Personality Traits
- The older a person is, the more consistent their traits become
- Personality can be affected by biological and social changes
- Biological: Injuries, medical conditions, etc.
- Social: Becoming a parent, new job, etc.
- Expected vs. unexpected changes in one's life can cause changes in their personality
- Environment around the person can change the way that they think and the way that they act
Happiness & Satisfaction with Life
- The younger the person, the more high-energy situations they need to be happier
- The change in happiness over time is described as a consequence of gradual shifting from promotion motivation to prevention motivation
- Promotion motivation: Goals are set up to end up better off/see what can be gained
- Prevention Motivation: Goals are set up to avoid loss and maintain stability
How do Adults Change Over Time
- Happiness & Satisfaction with Life
- Positive & Negative Emotions
- Self-Esteem
- Personality Traits
Positive & Negative Emotions
Self-Esteem
- Adults emotions depend on their environment
- Family relations, financial status, personal difficulties, etc.
- Adults tend to be happier if they are both financially stable, and have ample time to continue their hobbies, as well as have a good relationship with friends and family
- Adults tend to be sadder if they are having trouble at work or with people close to them, and do not have time to do what they would like
- Self-Esteem in adulthood is affected mainly by one's professional career and social life
- Self-Esteem tends to go up until a person's 60's
- Could be because of all of the different jobs and accomplishments a person achieves at this time
- One's self-esteem begins to decline around late 60's - early 70's
- Could be because of lower social status and reflection on life, as well as relationships with people close to them