Write a 4-5 paragraph expository essay exploring the link between the TED Talk The Psychology of Your Future Self andChapter 16:Emotional and Social Development in Middle Adulthood

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The link between the TED Talk “The Psychology of Your Future Self” and Class Text
Dan Gilbert in his video reveals that human beings are always changing in different perspectives. The premises and data used to support his arguments are unique, but they conform to the theories developed to explain the human development. Specifically, his arguments link to the findings in chapter 16 of the class text on human development in mid-adult life. Both reveal that humans are continually changing the aspect of their personality, values and believes towards stability as they age.
According to the theory of development in midlife, humans are continually changing but at slower rate towards self-acceptance, autonomy, and wellbeing (Berk 538). Similarly, Gilbert supports this as he reveals how human being change in the aspect of the values they hold important. In this case, these values change in one’s lifespan.
Gilbert also confirms the principle in the concepts of change and stability in mid-adulthood in what he says that people experience a constant variation in the five key traits of their personality (Gilbert 4). Theoretically, agreeableness and conscientiousness increase in midlife while neuroticism reduced as one age (Berk 542). However, he insists that these changes are often underestimated.
In the video, Gilbert stretches on the importance of understanding these aspects and patterns of change in one’s life. He explains that decision making in one’s life should be based on such knowledge to increase happiness and other social achievements (Gilbert 5).

For example, theories of development reveal that midlife marital breakups can reduce women’s standard of living. Ideally, such knowledge can help in making decisions such as early investments or marrying later in life to ensure a healthy living.
In brief, humans are continually transforming into new beings but at a slow rate. These changes mainly occur in their personalities and value or beliefs. Theories of adult development reveal that people tend to become stable, environmentally aware, and in relationships as they age. For this reason, a confrontation exists within the self (young versus the old). For this reason, Gilbert reveals that knowing these constant changes and their patterns can help in decision-making especially in addressing midlife crises.
Works Cited
Berk, Laura E. “Chapter 16: emotional and social development in middle adulthood” Development through the Lifespan. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1998. Print.
Gilbert, Dan. “The Psychology of Your Future Self.” TED: Ideas worth Spreading, www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_you_are_always_changing#t-388223.