German Unification: An Era of Economic, Political, and Social Change

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith A. Fedder
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
German Unification

Textual Responses to German Unification: Processing Historical and Social Change in Literature and Film

2003 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 216
Author(s):  
Margret Eifler ◽  
Costabile-Heming ◽  
Carol Anne ◽  
Rachel J. Halverson ◽  
Kristie A. Foell
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
German Unification ◽  
Literature And Film

Presidential Address

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer K. Silbereisen
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Comparative Research ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Presidential Address ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
German Unification ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
The Individual

It is well known that human development is influenced by social change. In particular, as evidenced by research on German unification, the rapid change of social institutions can impact on various aspects of behaviour and development. Based on my own research experience in this field, I want to show the necessity for a better interdisciplinary collaboration, for more comparative research across divergent manifestations of social change, and for a strong orientation towards application. The address begins with a record of unwarranted assertions about the consequences of German unification. Following that, I discuss the role played by the change of social institutions in the timing of important psychosocial transitions during adolescence and young adulthood. Next, I present a conceptual model that informed our research on self-efficacy as a resource in mastering the new challenges. I conclude with suggestions concerning the development of interventions aimed at increasing people’s capabilities to capitalise on opportunities provided by profound change in social institutions. At each step, such research needs to be supported by comprehensive models of the interplay between context and the individual. I also underscore the role of ISSBD as a potential broker for new efforts in research and application in this regard.

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