Handbook of Research on Adult Learning and Development

832 Pages·2008·7.24 MB·English

by  M.Cecil Smith

Handbook of Research on Adult
Learning and Development
The time is right for this comprehensive, state-of-the-art analysis, integration, and sum-
mary of theoretical advances and research fi ndings on adult development and learn-
ing—a rapidly growing fi eld refl ecting demographic shifts toward an aging population
in Western societies. Featuring contributions from prominent scholars across diverse
disciplinary fi elds (education, developmental psychology, public policy, gerontology,
neurology, public health, sociology, family studies, and adult education), the volume is
organized around six themes:
• Theoretical Perspectives on Adult Development and Learning
• Research Methods in Adult Development
• Research on Adult Development
• Research on Adult Learning
• Aging and Gerontological Research
• Policy Perspectives on Aging
The Handbook of Research on Adult Learning and Development is an essential reference for
researchers, faculty, and graduate students whose work pertains to adult and lifespan
development, adult learning, and adult education, and for practicing psychologists, soci-
ologists, gerontologists, and adult educators.
M Cecil Smith is Professor, Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and
Foundations, Northern Illinois University.
Nancy DeFrates-Densch is an Instructor in the Educational Psychology program,
Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations, Northern Illinois
University.

Handbook of Research on Adult
Learning and Development
Edited by
M Cecil Smith
Northern Illinois University
with
Nancy DeFrates-Densch
Northern Illinois University
Assistant Editor
First published 2009
by Routledge
270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
Simultaneously published in the UK
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2008.
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© 2009 Taylor & Francis
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any
form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publishers.
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trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Handbook of research on adult learning and development / edited by M Cecil Smith with
Nancy DeFrates-Densch.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Adult learning—Research—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Adult education —Research—
Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Smith, M Cecil. II, DeFrates-Densch, Nancy.
ISBN 0-203-88788-3 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 10: 0-8058-5819-9 (hbk)
ISBN 10: 0-8058-5820-2 (pbk)
ISBN 10: 0-203-88788-3 (ebk)
ISBN 13: 978-0-8058-5819-8 (hbk)
ISBN 13: 978-0-8058-5820-4 (pbk)
ISBN 13: 978-0-203-88788-2 (ebk)
This handbook is dedicated to
Gayle Dubowski
Catalina Garcia
Julianna Gehant
Ryanne Mace
Daniel Parmenter

Contents
Preface xi
Chapter Reviewers xxi
PART I
Theoretical Perspectives on Adult Development and Learning 1
1 Challenges for the Current Status of Adult Developmental Theories: A
New Century of Progress 3
FREDDA BLANCHARD-FIELDS AND ANTJE STANGE KALINAUSKAS
2 Emerging Adulthood: Learning and Development During the First
Stage of Adulthood 34
JENNIFER L. TANNER, JEFFREY JENSEN ARNETT, AND JULIE A. LEIS
3. Models of Adult Development in Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological
Theory and Erikson’s Biopsychosocial Life Stage Theory: Moving to a
More Complete Three-Model View 68
CAROL HOARE
4. Cognitive Development as the Dance of Adaptive Transformation:
Neo-Piagetian Perspectives on Adult Cognitive Development 103
JAN D. SINNOTT
PART II
Research Methods in Adult Development 135
5 Analyzing Change in Adulthood with Multilevel Growth Models:
Selected Measurement, Design, and Analysis Issues 137
JANET K. HOLT
6. Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis 162
JEFFREY C. VALENTINE AND HARRIS COOPER
viii Contents
PART III
Research on Adult Development 181
7 Epistemological, Intrapersonal, and Interpersonal Development in the
College Years and Young Adulthood 183
MARCIA BAXTER MAGOLDA, ELISA ABES, AND VASTI TORRES
8 Addressing Stability and Change in the Six-Foci Model of Personality:
Personality Development in Midlife and Beyond 220
CORY R. BOLKAN, PATRICIA MEIERDIERCKS, AND KAREN HOOKER
9 Adjustment and Growth: Two Trajectories of Positive Personality
Development across Adulthood 241
URSULA M. STAUDINGER AND EVA-MARIE KESSLER
10 Attachment and Marriage 269
GARY CREASEY AND PATRICIA JARVIS
11 The Infl uence of Family Relationships on Adult Psychological
Well-Being and Generativity 305
NADINE F. MARKS AND EMILY A. GREENFIELD
12 The Close Relationships of Sexual Minorities: Partners, Friends, and
Family 350
LISA M. DIAMOND AND MOLLY BUTTERWORTH
13 Gender Strategies: Socialization, Allocation, and Strategic Selection
Processes Shaping the Gendered Adult Life Course 378
PHYLLIS MOEN, ERIN KELLY, AND RACHEL MAGENNIS
14 Career Development, Work, and Occupational Success 412
ERIK J. PORFELI AND FRED W. VONDRACEK
15 Religious and Spiritual Development in Adulthood 436
PAUL WINK
PART IV
Research on Adult Learning 461
16 A Brief History of Research and Theory on Adult Learning and
Cognition 463
DENNIS THOMPSON
Contents ix
17 Expertise and the Adult Learner: A Historical, Psychological, and
Methodological Exploration 484
PATRICIA A. ALEXANDER, P. KAREN MURPHY, AND JONNA M. KULIKOWICH
18 An Integrative Model of Everyday Problem Solving Across the Adult
Life Span 524
CYNTHIA A. BERG, MICHELLE SKINNER, AND KELLY KO
19 Changes in Goal-Striving Across the Life Span: Do People Learn to
Select More Self-Concordant Goals as They Age? 553
KENNON M. SHELDON
20 Informal and Incidental Learning in the Workplace 570
VICTORIA J. MARSICK, KAREN E. WATKINS, MARY WILSON CALLAHAN, AND MARIE VOLPE
21. Literacy in Adulthood 601
M CECIL SMITH
22 Service-Learning, Civic and Community Participation: Contributions
to Adult Development 636
SUSAN R. JONES AND ANNA GASIORSKI
23. Attention-Defi cit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults 670
LISA L. WEYANDT
PART V
Aging and Gerontological Research 693
24 What Do We Know About the Aging Brain?: Implications for Learning
in Late Life 695
BENJAMIN T. MAST, JENNIFER ZIMMERMAN, AND SARAH V. ROWE
25 Wisdom, Integrity, and Life Satisfaction in Very Old Age 732
MONIKA ARDELT AND STEVE JACOBS
PART VI
Policy Perspectives on Aging 761
26 Social Trends and Public Policy in an Aging Society 763
JUDITH TREAS AND TWYLA HILL