Pssycologyadulthood And Aging: Social Processes And Development

Pssycologyadulthood And Aging: Social Processes And Development

Adulthood and Aging: Social Processes and Development
The article “Adulthood and Aging: Social Processes and Development” is an article that discusses the correlation between the size and meaningfulness of one’s social network in relation to their age. The author begins by explaining two possible theories as to why social networks become smaller the older we get. One theory is ageism and the other socioemotional selectivity theory. The author then explains how close social relationships provide emotionally meaningful interactions, and satisfaction with family members, including siblings, spouse, and children, increases with age. The author continues with the roles our friends and family play in our social processes and well-being in our adulthood. In closing the author states that for every age group, social connections are necessary for physical and mental well-being. The author also states that over time the number of social partners’ decreases, but the meaning of close friends and family members becomes even more central to the daily lives of older men and women.

I chose this topic and article because it is interesting how social development in adulthood revolves more around close partnerships and meaningful relationships rather than how we surround ourselves with as many friends as possible in our youths. When we are younger we have many friends, most of which are more like acquaintances, but as we get older we seem to maintain our friendships with our closest friends and let the rest fall by the wayside. It is as if we no longer need the positive reinforcement and false security that popularity provides and we become more confident and comfortable with whom we are as individuals that the few close friends and family bonds we have become enough.      

If I had to write a research paper on this topic I would probably reference this article I have selected, but I would not use the article as the main source of my paper. Although this article...