A self-reflection paper

Young adulthood (late 20s-30s)

· Cultural variations for reaching young adulthood:

· Some cultural have emerging adulthood, some do not (developed countries)

· In developing and rural countries, young people enter into marriage and parenthood in late teens.

· Culturally accepted criteria for adult status:

· Traditional cultures consider full adulthood marked by marriage.

· Developed countries adulthood is marriage gradual independence and self-sufficient.

What makes an adult?

· Markers of adulthood

· Accepting responsibility for oneself

· Making independent decisions

· Becoming financially independent

· Individualism

· Cultural variations of adulthood

· Israelis: complete military services

· Koreans and chinese: support parents financially.

· India: emotional self-control.

· Tradition cultural focus on marriage

· Interdependence values

Aging Begins

Changes in Aging

· Graying hair beings in young adulthood

· Thinning hair, receding hairline

· Skin becomes looser, wrinkles appear

· Cholesterol and fat being to accumulate

· Immune system ages: reduction of T cells and B cells

Overweight and obesity

Cause of obesity

· Change in basal metabolic rate

· Genetics

· Biology

· Diet

· Adult with BMI over 25 is overweight, over 30 is considered obese.

The important of exercise

· Exercise effect

· Healthy weight

· Increase metabolic rate

· Reduced risk of disease and illness

· Lower levels of anxiety (endorphins)

· Lack of exercise may be caused by busy pace of modern life.

· Less likely in low SES groups.

· (regular exercise in young adulthood reduce health risk in middle childhood.)

IQ scores and career success

· IQ scores and future success are moderately correlated

· Lowest score had work-related problems

· Highest score did well in careers

· However, much that IQ scores cannot predict.

Cultural conceptions of intelligence

Variances on what constitutes intelligence

· Chinese- intelligence includes humility

· Zambia- cooperativeness and obedience

· Zimbabwe- prudence and caution.

Expertise

· Cognitive development in young adulthood

· Focus becomes on gaining expertise

· Ten years of study needed in most fields

· Exposure to a specifics field allows problems to be addressed efficiently

· Frontal lobe maturity promotes expertise

Creating in young adulthood

· Easier to define than to measure

· Young adulthood exceptionally creative life stage

· Problem solving to problem finding

· Combine expertise with other qualities that contribute creativity

· Some rigidity can develop, causing creativity to peak in young adulthood.

Creative life stage

Young adulthood is often a life stage when creativity flourishes.

Physical Changes in Middle Adulthood Changes in Sensory Abilities

Vision declines

· Lens becomes, less flexible

· Rods and cones diminish in numbers

Hearing declines—especially for high pitched sounds

· Less flexible inner ear

Environment also plays a role

· Physical Changes in Middle Adulthood

· Changes in Sensory Abilities

Physical Changes in Middle Adulthood Changes in Reproductive Systems

· Climacteric—Fertility decline in midlife Menopause—End of monthly ovulation and menstruation

· Timing influenced by genetics

· Variety of symptoms

· Include hot flashes, headaches, and dizziness

· Culture can impact symptoms Physical Changes in Middle Adulthood Changes in Reproductive Systems

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

· Severe menopause treatment

· Effective at reducing symptoms

· Strengthens bones and reduces colon cancer

· Increased risk of stroke, heart attacks, and breast cancer

· Over 60 advised against HRT

Responses Typically enjoyed and welcomed

· Men’s changes include lowered testosterone levels, sperm quality, and quantity

· Possible evolutionary reason for no male menopause

Major health risks in middle adulthood include sleep problems, osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, and cancer

· Sleep problems

· Common after 40 Occurs with other problems as well

· May not get enough sleep

· Osteoporosis—bones become thin and brittle as a result of rapid calcium depletion

· Estrogen loss increases risk for women not men

· Genetics risk factor for osteoporosis Lifestyle can have an affect

· Diet and regular exercise are protective factor

Cardiovascular disease- leading cause of death among adults worldwide

· Risk factors include high fat diets, smoking, lack of physical activity

· Stress is another factor (Chronic and Acute Stress)CVD can be treated Protective factors: exercise, weight, and aspirin daily.