ERIC Number: EJ684473
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Jan
Pages: 13
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
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Available Date: N/A
Growth Goals, Maturity, and Well-Being
Bauer, Jack J.; McAdams, Dan P.
Developmental Psychology, v40 n1 p114-127 Jan 2004
In 2 studies (125 college students and 51 adults), 2 forms of growth goals (exploratory and intrinsic) were compared with 2 forms of personality development (social-cognitive maturity and social-emotional well-being). Participants whose narratives of major life goals emphasized conceptual exploration were especially likely to have high levels of maturity (measured as ego development; J. Loevinger, 1976), whereas those whose goals emphasized intrinsic interests (K. M. Sheldon & T. Kasser, 1995) were especially likely to have high levels of well-being. Participants who had coherent hierarchies of growth goals on the levels of major life goals and everyday goals were especially likely to have high levels of personality development. Finally, growth goals accounted for some relationships between age and personality development. Growth goals are discussed in terms of intentional self-development and specific developmental paths.
Descriptors: Personality Development, Maturity (Individuals), Well Being, Comparative Analysis, Goal Orientation, Age, College Students, Adults, Social Development, Self Concept
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A