Control Judgements across the Lifespan

Abstract

Given the inconsistent ndings in the literature, we examined age-cohort differences in various personal control judgements over the lifespan (N = 1623; ages 14-85). For three distinct life domains (personal, social, and societal), participants rated their amount of personal control, the goal importance, the degree of control striving, and, in comparison with sameaged peers, their relative control in each domain. Within this broad lifespan range, the developmental trends showed, as expected, different trajectories depending upon the type of control dimension and the nature of the life domain. The differential nature of these age-cohort trends have important implications for understanding the inconsistent ndings reported in the literature, namely, that depending on the nature of the life domain, the type of control dimension, and the age range tested, the trajectories can either increase, decrease, or remain stable. These trends are discussed with reference to various metatheoretical perspectives on lifespan development and control-related judgements.Requests for reprints should be sent to either Alexander Grob,

Cohort Differences in Personal Goals and Life Satisfaction in Young Adulthood: Evidence for Historical Shifts in Developmental Tasks

“…This is consistent with the notion that sense of control over one's development promotes well-being throughout the life span (DeNeve and Cooper 1998;Grob et al 1999). Similarly, Lang and Heckhausen (2001;study 3) found that perceived controllability of goal attainment was associated with life satisfaction in young, middle-aged and older adults.…”

Neuroticism, extraversion, goals, and subjective well-being: Exploring the relations in young, middle-aged, and older adults

“…In fact, when analyzing similarities and mean-level differences in individual goal content across generations, evidence for both similarities and dissimilarities of life goals in the family were found ). Thus, on the one hand, differences in goal content as a function of life stage are consistent with the notion of linear age trends in goal importance, as evidence suggests that the goals people pursue generally reflect the developmental tasks of the corresponding age group (Cross & Markus, 1991;Grob et al, 1999;Nurmi et al, 1992;Strough et al, 1996). On the other hand, the assumption of intrafamilial similarity regarding goals is still tenable ).…”

“…There is abundant evidence that young, middle-aged, and older adults are in different life stages and are faced with different life topics and life tasks. (Cross & Markus, 1991;Grob et al, 1999;Nurmi, 1992;Nurmi et al, 1992;Strough et al, 1996). We thus argue that our middle-aged respondents might be better able to view a goal in terms of its intrinsic and extrinsic components due to their respective standing in life.…”

“…Young, middle-aged, and older adults are typically in different phases of their lives, in which distinct topics are relevant or different tasks can or must be accomplished (e.g., getting started in work in young adulthood vs. retirement from work in later adulthood). Correspondingly, the goals people pursue generally reflect relevant life stage tasks (Cross & Markus, 1991;Grob, Little, & Wanner, 1999;Nurmi, 1992;Nurmi, Pulliainen, & Salmela-Aro, 1992;Strough, Berg, & Sansone, 1996). More specifically, goals related to education, partnership, friendships, and employment are more salient in young adulthood.…”

Life Markers in Biographical Narratives of People from Three Cohorts: A Life Span Perspective in Its Historical Context

“…We will focus on control expectancy which reflects the extent to which a person feels personally empowered over a specific outcome [Grob, 2000]. Grob, Little and Wanner's [1999] study over an age range between 14 and 85 years indicates that participants at all ages reported quite low amounts of control expectancy for societal concerns (i.e., local political decisions, natural environmental problems) and, furthermore, that this low level of perceived control decreased steadily with age. However, the expectation of attaining one's goals in social domains (i.e., maintaining harmony within a close rela- Human Development 2001;44:171-190 Grob/Krings/Bangerter tionship) and personal domains (i.e., physical appearance) was quite high.…”