Orchestrating Multiple Goals Across Adulthood: From Solo to Tutti

Abstract

Rather than focusing on single goals, people usually strive for multiple goals in different domains of life at the same time. To do so successfully, people need to match their multiple goals to their opportunity structures, maintain sufficient diversity in their goal system, and consider the positive and negative tradeoffs between particular goals. This issue brings together five original research articles addressing goals in the domains of work, family, leisure, and academic achievement. They draw on longitudinal data from the United States, Germany, Finland and Switzerland and on samples ranging from adolescence to adulthood.