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Theories of Kohlberg
Theories of Gilligan
Theories of Levinson

    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.