1. As mentioned in chapter one, the Latin Roots for the word adjustment are “ad jure,” which translates “to bring or make right.” Can you think of a time in your life when you needed to change either yourself or a situation to make things right? Explain.

2. Of the questions in Table 1.1, which seem most interesting to you and why?

3. Think of a social context (e.g., school, work, church, family holiday gathering, etc.) and explain what types of behaviors would allow for a goodness-of-fit. What behaviors would prevent a goodness-of-fit?

4. Referring to Figure 1.1., think of examples in your own life for each of Bronfenbrenner’s levels. How did context shape your personality and development?

5. The textbook mentions that many of Erikson’s theorized virtues of successful psychosocial development are similar to the strengths and values discussed with positive psychology. Discuss what sorts of experiences allow for the development of these virtues and strengths and why this may be important for healthy adjustment.

6. The textbook states the following regarding the tasks of adulthood, “Notably, the resolution of these task demands may have an even greater impact later in life, in what is called the cascading effect, in which earlier events impact later events.” Discuss how struggles and troubles with the tasks of early adulthood can later impact the tasks of middle and old adulthood. Address the different categories such as romantic life, family life, job life, and social life in this discussion.