Human development in times of social change: Theoretical considerations and research needs

Abstract

Although social change is diverse and ubiquitous, there is to date little research on the impact of social change on individual development, nor on the variables that may mediate and moderate this impact. This lack is, in part, based on insufficient consideration of psychological theories that may be applied to social change, but particularly on the lack of specific theories on psychological consequences of social change. In addition, methodological problems in measuring the complexity of social change have limited research on the consequences of social change on human development. With a focus on the effects of the breakdown of the communist system in Eastern Germany and Eastern Europe on individual development, the present paper analyses how prominent psychological theories can be applied to research on human development in times of social change, namely, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological paradigm, the transactional stress theory, and recent developments of lifespan theories of control and coping. A behavioural model is introduced that analyses developmental consequences of individual’s coping with social change. Finally, we discuss methodological implications for studying social change and set out future research needs.

Loneliness in old age in Eastern and Western European societies: theoretical perspectives

“…the theoretical linkage between social change and individual development by Pinquart and Silbereisen 2004). In analysing loneliness in a comparative perspective, we have to pay close attention to societies undergoing rapid change.…”

The Subjective Experiences of Three Generations during the Greek Economic Crisis

“…There are more examples like the one above which show that on the one hand, the older generation has realised what are the harmful behaviours and patterns that have contributed to the intensification of the crisis, and on the other, that this generation feels trapped and cornered as it seems practically very difficult for them to change old habits. Pinquart and Silbereisen (2004) remind us that in times of rapid social change it is difficult to foresee future behavioural alterations. For Silbereisen et al(2007), in order for individuals to change their reactions and for institutional reforms to follow, time is needed; this is an ongoing process, which requires repeated circulation of social action.…”

Demands of Social Change Across Multiple Domains of Life and Across Time at the Advent of the Global Financial Crisis

“…The model underlying the current research (Pinquart & Silbereisen, 2004;Silbereisen et al, , 2012 suggests that macro-level events, such as the GFC, do not affect individuals directly. Rather, these events change the more proximal opportunity structures in the micro-level contexts of functioning, such as work and family life, which in turn is perceived by individuals in terms of new demands that may comprise either new uncertainties or new expectations.…”

“…Taking this notion seriously, Silbereisen and colleagues (Pinquart & Silbereisen, 2004;Silbereisen, Tomasik, & Reitzle, 2012) have suggested a model which attempts to describe and explain the effects of social and DEMANDS OF SOCIAL CHANGE 4 economic change at the macro level on adaptation and development at the individual level. The core assumption of the model is that macro-level effects never have a direct impact on the individual, but first have to translate down to the individuals' micro contexts of development, such as the work place, the family, or the neighborhood (see Silbereisen & Tomasik, 2011b).…”