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Daniel Levinson, a Yale psychologist developed a theory of adult development.
Through many interviews with men and women he introduced a theory on series of
adult life stages. Peoples life structure is developed through social and
physical environment. Also many individuals lives primarily involve family and
work. His theory has four "seasonal cycles" including pre-adulthood, early
adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood.

Levinson studied forty adult males between the ages of thirty-five and
forty-five years of age. In early adulthood men begin careers and families.
About the age of thirty men begin to evaluate themselves and settle down and
work toward career advancement. Another transition occurs at the age of forty as
men realize some ambitions have not been met. Middle adulthood men deal with
their particular individuality and work toward improving their skills and
assets. Last, there is late adulthood which is a time to reflect upon successes
and failures and enjoy the rest of life.
Levinson interviewed forty-five women, within the ages of thirty-five
and forty-five. Levinson found that women go through the same type of cycles
that men do. Although, the life stages for women tend to be tied closer to the
family life cycle.
