A Phase Model of Transitions: Cognitive and Motivational Consequences

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The chapter presents a paper to suggest that transitions of many different types may be characterized by a set of phases representing changing cognitive-motivational orientations toward information. The transition to motherhood and social-cognitive transitions in childhood are emphasized, but similar changes are expected across diverse types of transitions, such as religious conversions, hospitalization, going to prison, and retirement. The present model of transitions includes three phases—namely, construction, consolidation, and integration. The chapter presents the specific graphic example of the transition to first motherhood. Literatures related to the proposed transition processes are reviewed. The chapter elaborates that the same analysis might apply to certain kinds of social-cognitive changes that occur in childhood that are not usually conceptualized as transitions-changes in concepts about gender, ability, and the characteristics of people. The possible implications of this analysis for understanding changes that often accompany well-known transitions, such as pregnancy and the move to junior high school are described.

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