Integrative Perspective Analysis

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The Integrative perspective and the Contextual/Sociocultural approach have been discussed, reviewed, analyzed and theorized for over forty plus years. The Integrative perspective emphasizes that adult development is the result of many factors; correspondently, takes on a holistic view of adult development. Additionally, this approach to adult expansion is focused on how the intersections of mind, body, and sociocultural influences affect development (Clark & Caffarella, 1999).

Three resourceful theorists accountable for the integrative perspective, and share analogous conclusions are Baltes, Perun and Bielby. While Perun and Bielby’s perceptions will be briefly discussed, the spotlight will be placed heavily on the theory construed by Baltes.
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Different types of changes include physical changes, change in the family life cycle such as being married and having children, change in work roles and in emotional tasks (Perun & Bielby, 1980). This school of thought aligns with Baltes’s principles specifically, however, not limited to, (2) development involves both gain and loss, (3) the relative influences of biological and culture shift over the life span (4) development involves a changing allocation or resources; therefore, development is modifiable and expressed in principle (5). Additionally, this is true in regards to the case of a person with dual sensory loss, more commonly, known as, deaf blindness. A couple who is deaf plan to marry in a years’ time. They have been dating for approximately five years. Recently, the male has been diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type I --Retinitis Pigmentosa. Persons diagnosed with this type of dual sensory loss, are born almost totally deaf at birth, server balance problems, sit without support at a later age than normal (normal being 6-9 months old), late walker (18-24 months), develop vision problems before age 10, night vision problems and progress quickly to total blindness (Friedman & Schultz, …show more content…
Adults are now able to reflect on the dialectical tension between personal desire and institutional constraints (Labouvie-Vief, 2003). In 1988 a theorist by the name of Baxter came up with a theory known as dialectical tension. Baxter suggests that communication parties experience internal, conflicting pulls causing relationships to be in a constant state of flux. The pressures of these tensions occur in a wavelike or cyclical fashion over time and that relational dialectics introduce the concept that the closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict will arise to pull them apart (Baxter, 1988). Baxter was referenced due to Laouvies-Vief similarity. Laouvies-Vief found that people gain cognitive-affect complexity as they mature; nevertheless, adults become more aware of positive and negative feelings, and are better able to coordinate those into a complex, organized structure (Berk,