The concept of the “adaptive self” discussed in this book is a unifying framework for considering the nature of identity and the development of the self throughout the life-span. As the theoretical and empirical studies here show, this concept of self and identity is unique in including both intentional, regulated self-development and flexible responses to an unalterable environment within a single framework of self and identity.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Adaptive Self: Personal Continuity and Intentional Self-Development by Greve, Rothermund, Wentura
Part 1: Adaptation and Plasticity: Perspectives on Self-development and the Development of the Self
Lifespan Perspectives on Self and Personality: The Dynamics Between the Mechanics and Pragmatics by Schindler, Staudinger
Youth as Active Agents in Their Own Positive Development: A Developmental Systems Perspective by Lerner, Theokas, Jelicic
Maintaining Personality: The Active and Adaptive Self as Core of Individuality and Personhood by Greve
The Odds of Prediction Success by von Eye
Part 2: Action Perspectives on Development: Control of Development and Development of Control
Psychology of Control and Personality: Julian B. Rotter and Beyond by Krampen
Engagement and Disengagement Across the Life Span: An Analysis of Two-Process Models of Developmental Regulation by Poulin, Haase, Heckhausen
The Role of Self-Efficacy in Health Self-Regulation by Luszczynska, Schwarzer
Part 3: Self-Regulation and Development: Adaptive Processes
The Developing Self in Adolescence: Producing and Reducing Discrepancies between Developmental Goals and Present States by Pinquart, Silbereisen, Wiesner
Reactive and Proactive Motivational Changes Across Adulthood by Fung, Rice, Carstensen
The Aging Self: Promoting Gains and Balancing Losses: Goal Orientation in Old Age by Freund, Ebner
The Unknown Self: The Social Cognition Perspective by Wentura
Effects of Age Stereotypes on Self-Views and Adaptation by Rothermund
Part 4: Development in Context: Interactional Perspectives on Development
Relationship-Specific Aspects of the Self: The Role of Implicit Relationship Theories and Their Contribution to Marital Well-Being by Wunderer, Schneewind
Adaptation in close relationships: Self-views and partner-views by Felser
Universal Accommodation? Cross-Cultural Notes on Brandtstädter’s Coping Theory by Tesch-Römer
Developmental Counseling by Gräser
Autonomy, Narrative Identity, and Their Critics. A Reply to Some Provocations of Postmodern Accounts in Psychology by Straub, Zielke, Werbik
"...offers highly relevant and solidly based information about self-development throughout the lifespan.
"...provides a comprehensive overview on self-development with a colorful mixture of topics and views.
"...we are convinced that the book will be of great value to professionals and students who are keen on studying theory and findings in self-development.
"...It will serve as a valuable reference tool and resource for understanding self-development at multiple levels of psychological functioning.
Janine Hertel and Astrid Schütz (TU Chemnitz) in Journal of Individual Differences 2005; Vol. 26(4)
"Given the complexity of human development and the wide range ofpotential theoretical approaches, psychologists are in constant need ofexamples of organized views on development. Such examples arefound in The Adaptive Self: Personal Continuity and Intentional Self-Development, which focuses primarily on the multifaceted ways inwhich individuals shape their own developmental outcomes."
"Perhaps the greatest strength of the book is that it contains ideas andperspectives on human development that are useful in several areas ofpsychology."
"The discussions and applications of developmental systemsapproaches found in The Adaptive Self offer a new look at the activedevelopmental role played by the individual."
"The book is nicely organized and contains much information that is useful to psychologists working in many different settings."
Reviewed by Benjamin K. Barton in PsycCRITIQUES - Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books (June 15, 2005, Vol. 50, No. 24, Artcle 14)
