Diversity in Individual ↔ Context Relations as the Basis for Positive Development Across the Life Span: A Developmental Systems Perspective for Theory, Research, and Application

Diversity in Individual↔Context Relations as the Basis for Positive Development Across the Life Span: A Developmental Systems Perspective for Theory, Research, and Application (The 2004 Society for the Study of Human Development Presidential Address)

Research in Human Development ◽

10.1207/s15427617rhd0104_5 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 327-346 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Richard M. Lerner

Keyword(s):

Life Span ◽

Human Development ◽

Presidential Address ◽

Positive Development ◽

Developmental Systems ◽

Systems Perspective ◽

Theory Research

Download Full-text

Describing, Explaining, and Optimizing Within-Individual Change across the Life Span: A Relational Developmental Systems Perspective

Review of General Psychology ◽

10.1037/a0032931 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 179-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Richard M. Lerner ◽

Jennifer P. Agans ◽

Lisette M. DeSouza ◽

Santiago Gasca

Keyword(s):

Life Span ◽

Individual Change ◽

Developmental Systems ◽

Systems Perspective ◽

Relational Developmental Systems

Download Full-text

New Territories of Positive Life-Span Development: Wisdom and Life Longings

The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195187243.013.0016 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 170-184

Author(s):

Susanne Scheibe ◽

Ute Kunzmann ◽

Paul B. Baltes

Keyword(s):

Life Span ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Expert Knowledge ◽

Well Being ◽

Positive Development ◽

Future Research ◽

Life Span Development ◽

Life Orientation ◽

New Concepts ◽

The Life Course

In search for concepts that help understand how individuals strive for growth and perfection within the boundaries and constraints of human lives, we describe theory and research on the concepts of wisdom, or expert knowledge about human nature and the life course, and Sehnsucht (life longings), the recurring and strong desire for ideal (utopian), alternative states and expressions of life. Both represent relatively new concepts on the agenda of lifespan research, originating from an interest in identifying major topics of public and humanist discourse about the potentials and constraints of life-span development and finding ways to measure them with the methods of normative psychological science. Despite their complexity and multiple meanings, progress has been made in the theory-driven operationalization of wisdom and life longings, allowing new insights into their ontogenesis and role for positive development. Emerging research shows that wisdom and life longings do not directly promote a hedonic life orientation or happiness: neither the insight that life is incomplete (wisdom) nor the experience of this incompleteness (life longings) is compatible with feelings of unequivocal joy and pleasure. Yet, there is emerging evidence that they contribute to other aspects of positive development, emphasizing personal growth, meaning, and the aligning of one's own and other's well-being. We suggest that future research should focus on the links of wisdom and life longings with multiple developmental outcomes and the possible interplay of both concepts in promoting positive development.

Download Full-text

School Engagement and Positive Youth Development: A Relational Developmental Systems Perspective

Teachers College Record ◽

10.1177/016146811411601303 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 116 (13) ◽

pp. 37-57

Author(s):

Yibing Li ◽

Jennifer P. Agans ◽

Paul A. Chase ◽

Miriam R. Arbeit ◽

Michelle B. Weiner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Youth Development ◽

Positive Youth Development ◽

School Engagement ◽

Developmental Systems Theory ◽

Developmental Systems ◽

Systems Perspective ◽

Strength Based ◽

Relational Developmental Systems ◽

Five Cs

This chapter explains the links between relational developmental systems theory and the strength-based, positive youth development (PYD) perspective. The Five Cs model of PYD (involving competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring) is used to assess the role of school engagement in PYD.

Download Full-text