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Levinson's Life
Structure Theory
Yale psychologist Daniel Levinson (1986) developed a comprehensive
theory of adult development. Through a series of intensive interviews with men (1978) and women (1987), Levinson proposed
a theory based on a series of stages that adults go through as they develop. At the center of his theory is the life structure,
the underlying pattern of an individual's life at any particular time. An individual's life structure is shaped by the social
and physical environment. Many individuals' life structures primarily involve family and work, although other variables such
as religion, race, and economic status are often important. Levinson's four "seasonal cycles" include preadulthood, early
adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. Levinson (1978) originally studied
forty adult males between thirty–five and forty–five years of age. Early adulthood is entered when men begin careers
and families. After an evaluation of themselves at about age thirty, men settle down and work toward career advancement. Then
another transition occurs at about age forty, as men realize some of their ambitions will not be met. During middle adulthood,
men deal with their particular individuality and work toward cultivating their skills and assets. Finally, the transition
to late adulthood is a time to reflect upon successes and failures and enjoy the rest of life.
Next, Levinson (1987) interviewed forty–five women between the ages of thirty–five and forty–five
years of age. One–third were homemakers, one–third college instructors, and one-third businesswomen. In general,
he found that women go through the same type of cycles that men do. However, the life stages of women tend to be tied closer
to the family life cycle.
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An individual's life structure is shaped by the social and physical environment. Many individuals' life
structures primarily involve family and work, although other variables such as religion, race, and economic status are often
important.
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Early adulthood is entered when men begin careers and families. After
an evaluation of themselves at about age thirty, men settle down and work toward career advancement. Women go through the
same type of cycles that men do. However, the life stages of women tend to be tied closer to the family life cycle.
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Men and women basically experience the same life stages and cycles. In the workplace women and men alike
are very driven about their work and employment and take the time in their later years of life to reflect upon what they have
accomplished and what they wanted to accomplish in life.
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