ABSTRACT
Adult development involves an interaction between internally triggered and controlled experiences and external events that appears to be linked in some way to age and social expectations; however, it can be greatly altered by external events and individual idiosyncrasies. For D. J. Levinson, early adulthood begins after a transition period from adolescence that occurs between the ages of 17 and 22. Middle adulthood includes an entry period, a transition at age 50, and finally a culmination period leading to a late-adulthood transition period. Psychological symptoms are seen in some women, but more extensive research indicates that these symptoms are not typical in menopausal women. A transition provides the opportunity for psychological growth, but there is also the danger of psychological deterioration. Adulthood does not appear to be marked by predictable physiological or cognitive changes that identify developmental periods. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
