DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...

Pre-Crisis Commitments and Pre-Crisis Motives
The pre-crisis predicaments in this sample are situations where a career and/or
relationship has been undertaken for the wrong reason and has become dysfunctional.
These problematic pre-crisis commitments are motivated by a similar pattern of
“extrinsic” motives in all cases (Deci and Ryan, 1991). In some cases commitments
are motivated by a need to conform to the demands of others and to cultural standards,
and in some we find reports of obedience and compliance to spouses, parents or
society. Conformity and compliance are both examples of what Ryan, Sheldon,
Kasser and Deci (1996) refer to “externally regulated” motivations, in which the
reason for action is not felt to be internal to the self, but rather belongs to others.
These conformist or obedience motives can appear on the surface to be noble or
agreeable. Rachel and Gemma both described living according to the external dictates
of what a “nice girl” should be while living up to the expectations of spouse and
parents. Vern, Violet and Leon described the sense of duty which led to a marriage or
long-term relationship that they did not want, but was done out of consideration for
their spouse or child. When such commitments are made in a relationship or in
forming a marriage, the end-result is what Sternberg (1998) called “empty love” – a
relationship which has commitment, but lacks intimacy and passion. Gemma
described her “empty existence” in a loveless marriage and how she was “dying
inside”.
Alongside these socially compliant motives, we also find in the career-related
clusters (career-woman crisis, all-consuming crisis, male career crisis) a pre-crisis set
of motives to gain money, prestige, status and self-aggrandisement through career role
and also through their relationship. These materialistic motives lead to commitments
in lucrative but unfulfilling jobs. Materialistic and socially conformist motives can
inter-relate, as some participants show both (e.g. Guy, Lynne). Both of these
motivations; conformist/compliant and materialist are examples of “extrinsic
motivation” (Deci, 1971), where action is carried out for later reward and for
obligation rather than for ongoing satisfaction, enjoyment and fulfilment.
Growing Crisis: Loss of Control and Passivity
A sense of personal control is subtly undermined by conformist, compliant and
materialist motives. In cases of conformity, goals and reasons for action are felt to
belong to other person or persons who are being conformed to. Materialistic motives
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