Guiding adults in a complex society

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The article intends to explore the themes connected with adult age and the transformations that this life stage has seen, due to changes occurred in contemporary society characterized by continuous transition and permanent learning. Because of these transformations, adult training and guidance becomes an urgent need as a means to asproviding with the necessary cognitive and emotional tools that may help adults to face the challenge of uncertainty and continuous change. In order to manage these processes, it is necessary for training and guidance “professionals” to arrange specific interventions for adults. In particular, the present article goes into the aspects linked to methodological-didactic competences these “professionals” must have and, specifically, those methodologies that use narration as a tool for psychosocial investigation. One of the orientation practices which use the autobiographical method is the balance of competences. In the article, the main characteristics of balance of competences are described and reference is made to the experience of the Laboratory of Competences at the University of Foggia (Italy).