Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
Developmental regulation before and after a developmental deadline: the sample case of "biological clock" for
J Heckhausen1, C Wrosch, W Fleeson
1Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany. heckhaus@uci.edu
Abstract:
This quasi-experimental research investigates developmental regulation around a critical life-span transition, the "biological clock" for childbearing. The action-phase model of developmental regulation proposes contrasting control orientations in individuals approaching versus those having passed a developmental deadline. Individuals in an urgency phase close to the deadline should be invested in goal pursuit, whereas those who have passed the deadline without attaining the goal should focus on goal disengagement and self-protection. In 2 studies, women at different ages and with or without children were compared with regard to various indicators of primary and secondary control striving for goal attainment versus goal disengagement and self-protection. Findings support the action-phase model of developmental regulation. Patterns of control striving congruent with the participants' status as pre- versus postdeadline were associated with superior psychological well-being.
Related Concept Videos
Oogenesis
Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Nondisjunction
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...

