Ursula M. Staudinger

Bio: Ursula M. Staudinger is an academic researcher from Columbia University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Personality & Cognition. The author has an hindex of 51, co-authored 174 publications receiving 11778 citations. Previous affiliations of Ursula M. Staudinger include Jacobs University Bremen & International University, Cambodia.

Life Span Theory in Developmental Psychology

Abstract: Lifespan developmental psychology is an overarching framework, which considers the study of individual development (ontogenesis) from conception into old age. Efforts are made to highlight the uniqueness in developmental theory that emanates from a lifespan developmental framework. Models and definitions of successful (effective) development, which highlight individual and cultural variations, are a main focus of researchers in this field. The concept of lifespan developmental psychology was previously advanced to incorporate two approaches (i.e., wholistic person-centered and function-centered) to lifespan ontogenesis. Historical and societal contexts of theoretical arguments are discussed to embed the current issues surrounding lifespan psychology and its location in the larger field of developmental psychology. Five sequential but interrelated steps are presented to examine psychological theories of lifespan development. Two areas of human development are emphasized, intellectual functioning and personality, to illustrate lifespan research and theory. Work from these fields is presented to provide a theoretical umbrella under which lifespan research can be examined. The integrative role of lifespan theory in organizing and stimulating the study of personality development is offered. Keywords: five levels of analysis; intellectual functioning; lifespan development; personality

LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY: Theory and Application to Intellectual Functioning

Abstract: The focus of this review is on theory and research of lifespan (lifespan developmental) psychology. The theoretical analysis integrates evolutionary and ontogenetic perspectives on cultural and human development across several levels of analysis. Specific predictions are advanced dealing with the general architecture of lifespan ontogeny, including its directionality and age-differential allocation of developmental resources into the three major goals of developmental adaptation: growth, maintenance, and regulation of loss. Consistent with this general lifespan architecture, a meta-theory of development is outlined that is based on the orchestrated and adaptive interplay between three processes of behavioral regulation: selection, optimization, and compensation. Finally, these propositions and predictions about the general nature of lifespan development are examined and supported by empirical evidence on the development of cognition and intelligence across the life span.

Wisdom. A metaheuristic (pragmatic) to orchestrate mind and virtue toward excellence.

Abstract: The primary focus of this article is on the presentation of wisdom research conducted under the heading of the Berlin wisdom paradigm Informed by a cultural-historical analysis, wisdom in this paradigm is defined as an expert knowledge system concerning the fundamental pragmatics of life These include knowledge and judgment about the meaning and conduct of life and the orchestration of human development toward excellence while attending conjointly to personal and collective well-being Measurement includes think-aloud protocols concerning various problems of life associated with life planning, life management, and life review Responses are evaluated with reference to a family of 5 criteria: rich factual and procedural knowledge, lifespan contextualism, relativism of values and life priorities, and recognition and management of uncertainty A series of studies is reported that aim to describe, explain, and optimize wisdom The authors conclude with a new theoretical perspective that characterizes wisdom as a cognitive and motivational metaheuristic (pragmatic) that organizes and orchestrates knowledge toward human excellence in mind and virtue, both individually and collectively

A psychology of human strengths: Fundamental questions and future directions for a positive psychology

Abstract: A Psychology of Human Strengths: Some Central Issues of an Emerging Field, Lisa G. Aspinwall and Ursula M. Staudinger Human Strength as the Orchestration of Wisdom and Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC), Paul B. Baltes and Alexandra M. Freund The Human's Greatest Strength - Other Humans, Ellen Berscheid Constructive Cognition, Personal Goals, and the Social Embedding of Personality, Nancy Cantor A Conception of Personality for a Psychology of Human Strengths - Personality as an Agentic, Self-Regulating System, Gian Vittorio Caprara and Daniel Cervone Human Aging - Why Is Even Good News Taken as Bad?, Laura L. Carstensen and Susan T. Charles Three Human Strengths, Charles S. Carver and Michael F. Scheier The Malleability of Sex Differences in Response to Changing Social Roles, Alice H. Eagly and Amanda B. Diekman Toward a Positive Psychology - Social Developmental and Cultural Contributions, Nancy Eisenberg and Vivian Ota Wang Light and Dark in the Psychology of Human Strengths - The Example of Psychogerontology, Roc o Fern ndez-Ballesteros Intervention as a Major Tool of a Psychology of Human Strength - Examples from Organizational Change and Innovation, Dieter Frey, Eva Jonas, and Tobias Greitemeyer Judgmental Heuristics: Human Strengths or Human Weaknesses?, Dale Griffin and Daniel Kahneman Positive Affect as a Source of Human Strength, Alice Isen The Parametric Unimodel of Human Judgment - A Fanfare to the Common Thinker, Arie W. Kruglanski, Hans-Peter Erb, Scott Spiegel, and Antonio Pierro Turning Adversity to Advantage - On the Virtues of the Coactivation of Positive and Negative Emotions, Jeff T. Larsen, Scott H. Hemenover, Catherine J. Norris, and John T. Cacioppo A Holistic Person Approach for Research on Positive Development, David Magnusson and Joseph L. Mahoney Harnessing Willpower and Socio-emotional Intelligence to Enhance Human Agency and Potential, Walter Mischel and Rodolpho Mendoza-Denton The Motivational Sources of Creativity as Viewed from the Paradigm of Positive Psychology, Jeanne Nakamura and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Ironies of the Human Condition: Well-being and Health on the Way to Mortality, Carol D. Ryff and Burton Singer Political Symbols and Collective Moral Action, David O. Sears Positive Clinical Psychology, Martin E. P. Seligman and Christopher Peterson Driven to Despair: Why We Need to Redefine the Concept and Measurement of Intelligence, Robert J. Sternberg The Ecology of Human Strengths, Daniel Stokols.

Cardiovascular and Coordination Training Differentially Improve Cognitive Performance and Neural Processing in Older Adults

Abstract: Recent studies revealed a positive influence of physical activity on cognitive functioning in older adults. Studies that investigate the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of type and long term duration of physical training, however, are missing. We performed a 12-month longitudinal study to investigate the effects of cardiovascular and coordination training (control group: relaxation and stretching) on cognitive functions (executive control and perceptual speed) in older adults. We analyzed data of 44 participants aged 62–79 years. Participants were trained three times a week for 12 months. Their physical and cognitive performance was tested prior to training, and after 6 and 12 months. Changes in brain activation patterns were investigated using functional MRI. On the behavioral level, both experimental groups improved in executive functioning and perceptual speed but with differential effects on speed and accuracy. In line with the behavioral findings, neurophysiological results for executive control also revealed changes (increases and reductions) in brain activity for both interventions in frontal, parietal, and sensorimotor cortical areas. In contrast to the behavioral findings, neurophysiological changes were linear without indication of a plateau. In both intervention groups, prefrontal areas showed decreased activation after 6 and 12 months when performing an executive control task, as compared to the control group, indicating more efficient information processing. Furthermore, cardiovascular training was associated with an increased activation of the sensorimotor network, whereas coordination training was associated with increased activation in the visual–spatial network. Our data suggest that besides cardiovascular training also other types of physical activity improve cognition of older adults. The mechanisms, however, that underlie the performance changes seem to differ depending on the intervention.

Positive psychology: An introduction.

Abstract: A science of positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, and positive institutions promises to improve quality of life and prevent the pathologies that arise when life is barren and meaningless, The exclusive focus on pathology that has dominated so much of our discipline results in a model of the human being lacking the positive features that make life worth living. Hope, wisdom, creativity, future mindedness, courage, spirituality, responsibility, and perseverance are ignored or explained as transformations of more authentic negative impulses. The 15 articles in this millennial issue of the American Psychologist discuss such issues as what enables happiness, the effects of autonomy and self-regulation, how optimism and hope affect health, what constitutes wisdom, and how talent and creativity come to fruition. The authors outline a framework for a science of positive psychology, point to gaps in our knowledge, and predict that the next century will see a science and profession that will come to understand and build the factors that allow individuals, communities, and societies to flourish.

The Construct of Resilience: A Critical Evaluation and Guidelines for Future Work

Abstract: This paper presents a critical appraisal of resilience, a construct connoting the maintenance of positive adaptation by individuals despite experiences of significant adversity. As empirical research on resilience has burgeoned in recent years, criticisms have been levied at work in this area. These critiques have generally focused on ambiguities in definitions and central terminology; heterogeneity in risks experienced and competence achieved by individuals viewed as resilient; instability of the phenomenon of resilience; and concerns regarding the usefulness of resilience as a theoretical construct. We address each identified criticism in turn, proposing solutions for those we view as legitimate and clarifying misunderstandings surrounding those we believe to be less valid. We conclude that work on resilience possesses substantial potential for augmenting the understanding of processes affecting at-risk individuals. Realization of the potential embodied by this construct, however, will remain constrained without continued scientific attention to some of the serious conceptual and methodological pitfalls that have been noted by skeptics and proponents alike.

The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?

Abstract: Numerous studies show that happy individuals are successful across multiple life domains, including marriage, friendship, income, work performance, and health. The authors suggest a conceptual model to account for these findings, arguing that the happiness-success link exists not only because success makes people happy, but also because positive affect engenders success. Three classes of evidence--crosssectional, longitudinal, and experimental--are documented to test their model. Relevant studies are described and their effect sizes combined meta-analytically. The results reveal that happiness is associated with and precedes numerous successful outcomes, as well as behaviors paralleling success. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that positive affect--the hallmark of well-being--may be the cause of many of the desirable characteristics, resources, and successes correlated with happiness. Limitations, empirical issues, and important future research questions are discussed.

Experience and Education.

Abstract: Preparing the books to read every day is enjoyable for many people. However, there are still many people who also don't like reading. This is a problem. But, when you can support others to start reading, it will be better. One of the books that can be recommended for new readers is experience and education. This book is not kind of difficult book to read. It can be read and understand by the new readers.