ADAPTING TO THE ENVIRONMENT ACROSS THE LIFE-SPAN - DIFFERENT PROCESS OR DIFFERENT INPUTS

A model of the process through which individuals adapt to their enviro nment across the life span is presented. The model illustrates how con textual and individual characteristics affect an individual's performa nce on an activity through their effects on how the individual defines the activity. Empirical support for the model is presented based on r esults from a life span study of everyday experiences and problems, an d from a number of laboratory-based studies. The model and research em anating from the model suggests that what may appear to be development al and individual differences in components of the problem-solving pro cess may be explained by individual differences in activity definition s.