Social Change and Individual Change – Developmental Science as Guide Post

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Silbereisen, Rainer K.

Affiliations: Department of Developmental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Jena, Jena, Germany

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Rainer K. Silbereisen, Department of Developmental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Jena, Am Steiger 3/1, 07743 Jena, Germany. E-mail: rainer.silbereisen@uni-jena.de

Abstract: From a biopsychosocial perspective on human development, this essay review introduces a model linking social changes at the macro level with individual development at the micro level. German unification and the globalization of economy that followed are taken as a case in point for social changes that have affected the lives of many. It is argued that social change cascades down to the individual level through various contexts of development where it is manifested in terms of demands individuals have to negotiate. Empirical examples from recent research on the process and results of this negotiation are provided.

Keywords: social change, uncertainties in work, coping, well-being, contexts as moderators

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2012-11084

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 6, no. 1-2, pp. 61-64, 2012