Karen L. Fingerman is the Wilson Regents Professor in Human Ecology and professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.[1] She has published nearly 200 works on intergenerational and social ties.[1] Fingerman is well known for her work on older adult socio-emotional processes, health, and well-being.[1] Most notably, Fingerman generated the Social Input Model and coined the term “consequential strangers”.[2][3][4] In 2018, Fingerman founded the Texas Aging & Longevity Consortium and serves as the current Director in tandem with her position as Director of Research at the Texas Center on Aging and Population Sciences.[5][6]
Education
editFingerman received her BA from Harvard/Radcliffe University and a Master’s Degree and PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.[1]
Selected awards and honors
edit- Baltes Distinguished Research Achievement Award, American Psychological Association (Division 20) (2022)[1][7][8]
- Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award, Gerontological Society of America (2020)[1][9]
- Margret Baltes Award for Early Career Achievement in Social and Behavioral Gerontology, Gerontological Society of America (1999)[1][10]
- Springer Award for Early Career Achievement in Research on Adult Development and Aging, American Psychological Association (Division 20) (1998)[1][11]
Research contributions
editDr. Fingerman has made important contributions to understanding social and emotional processes across adulthood, and the impact of these processes on health and well-being. As principal investigator of the Daily Experiences and Well-being study, she has examined how older adults' social engagement, is associated with daily emotional, cognitive, and physical activity.[12] She uses ecologically valid methodologies as older adults go about their days including ecological momentary assessments (EMAs), actical measurements of physical activity, and Electronically Activated Recorders (EAR) to capture conversations and sound throughout the day.[12] The Family Exchanges Study, a longitudinal study involving middle-aged adults, their romantic partners, grown children and aging parents has generated over 50 publications.[13] She is currently developing studies of caregivers for older adults with different forms of dementia.[1]
Consequential strangers
editFingerman coined the term consequential strangers and published a book on the idea with Melinda Blau.[4] Consequential strangers are the sum of the personal relationships outside of a person’s close ties. These relationships exist on a spectrum of connections ranging from total strangers to close ties but are unique in their characteristics of repeated and personal interactions.[3][4]
References
edit[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Karen Fingerman". Human Ecology Directory. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ a b Fingerman, Karen L.; Charles, Susan T. (2010). "It Takes Two to Tango: Why Older People Have the Best Relationships". Current Directions in Psychological Science. 19 (3): 172–176. doi:10.1177/0963721410370297. ISSN 0963-7214. S2CID 55000677.
- ^ a b c Fingerman, Karen L. (2009). "Consequential Strangers and Peripheral Ties: The Importance of Unimportant Relationships". Journal of Family Theory & Review. 1 (2): 69–86. doi:10.1111/j.1756-2589.2009.00010.x. ISSN 1756-2570.
- ^ a b c d Blau, M., & Fingerman, K. L. (2009). Consequential Strangers: The Power of People Who Don’t Seem to Matter But Really Do. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.
- ^ a b "Staff". Texas Aging and Longevity Consortium. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ a b "People". Center on Aging and Population Sciences. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ a b "News" . Texas Aging and Longevity Consortium. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Honor/Award" . Centers on the Demography & Economics of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Related Dementias. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Press Releases". Gerontological Society of America. Retrieved 12 January 2024
- ^ a b "Margaret M. and Paul B. Baltes Award". Gerontological Society of America. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Karen Fingerman". Population Research Center. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Daily Experiences and Well-being in Late Life, Austin, Texas, 2016-2017". www.icpsr.umich.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b "Family Exchanges Study Series". www.icpsr.umich.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-23.