Donna runs a day care center. She started her business as a way to contribute to family finances and take care of her young daughter at the same time. After many years of hard work, the business has grown and provides a steady, if not sizable, income. Donna s daughter, Elaine, has asked Donna to give her a loan for a down payment on a business of her own. In order to provide this loan, Donna would have to cut expenses at the day care center, including reducing staff by at least two employees. Donna would also have to cash in some of the savings she planned to use to allow her to retire early. Based on what you know about Donna, what is her stage of cognitive development according to Schaie s theory?

As you may know the exectuvie stage is when an adult no longer focuses only on their personal issues, but focus on other social issues as well, knowing how and when to set priorities and how to assimilate hard information.

Donna knows that she will have to make some hard choices, like fireing some employees and having to give up some of the money she was saving for her early retirement, and even so, she wants to help her daughter, that's when you know she is in the executive stage.