Psychology
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EarlytoMiddleAdulthood.docLesson 6: Early to Middle Adulthood
*Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13
*Be sure to give yourself enough time to complete your learning for the week—thus, each day schedule the time/task you are going to complete. Research is clear: You can spend the same amount of time studying but if you space it out (and not cram), you will better understand it AND remember it for longer. And, it’s much more enjoyable and less stressful to do it this way! 😊
After the dynamic developmental growth from infancy throughout childhood, development in adulthood seems relatively simple. By the beginning of early adulthood, we have learned to use and control all of our motor functions; progressed from vocalizing accidental sounds to having mastered command of an extensive, complex vocabulary (in at least one language); learned to read, write, and grasp concepts of the world around us; and mastered the self-help skills necessary for independent living. In short, we have learned most of what we need to know to survive on our own.
What’s left to do in adulthood, then? Lots! The rest of our lives are, for the most part, focused on socioemotional tasks and refining competencies achieved in childhood and adolescence. This assumes that the developmental tasks of childhood and adolescence were successfully mastered, of course.
Early adulthood focuses on mate selection and the development of a skill set (e.g., education; job) that can support the creation of a new family. Relationships with potential mates and friends become less superficial and more focused on understanding and companionship. In the United States, we have the additional luxury of being able to focus on the exploration of careers to find the types of work that best leaves us personally fulfilled.
Middle adulthood focuses on the growing family. As the family becomes more complex, parenting skills become more demanding. At the same time, there is a reexamination of career priorities and commitments, and a change to a second career is not uncommon in the United States (the average just a few years ago was about seven career changes throughout adulthood, although this is increasing for the cohort beginning early adulthood now—and maybe cohorts to come).
Assignments for Lesson 6:
1. Textbook readings: Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13. Continue to use your reading and study skills!
2. Use the attached PowerPoint presentations for outlines in your learning of the great information included in this lesson!
3. Complete the Adulthood Important Points Assignment (20 points)
There are so many great psychological research studies and findings within adulthood! In this assignment, you get to choose which topics interest you the most! Choose two textbook concepts (Part 2) and choose two readings/videos listed below (Part 2). For each, summarize your learning in one BIG paragraph. Include in your explanations how your learning is valuable/applies to your life. Be specific! You will have FOUR total paragraphs for this assignment. 😊
Part 1: Choose two textbook concepts that interest you!
Choose two things that you find especially valuable to understand for you from Chapters 10, 11, 12 and/or 13. You should choose your concepts from two different chapters. Each ‘important point’ should be described in one BIG paragraph and include an application to yourself or example from your own experiences (or those around you).
Part 2: Choose two.
1. You are Stronger Than You Think
Reading: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-well-lived-life/202303/you-are-stronger-than-you-think
2. The One Thing That Can Make Us Happier and Healthier
3. What Adult Bullying Does to You and How to Overcome It
4. Curiosity: A Surprising Key to Belonging
5. Four Counterintuitive Secrets of the Happiest Relationships
6. How to Motivate Yourself to Change Your Behavior
Video (Tali Sharot, 17 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0O2vi8DX4
7. The Skill of Self Confidence
Video (Ivan Joseph, 13 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-HYZv6HzAs
8. Six Behaviors to Increase Your Confidence
Video (Emily Jaenson, 10 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IitIl2C3Iy8
This assignment is due in the appropriate Assignment folder by Sun., July 16th at 11:59pm.
4. Psychological and Developmental Disorders Discussion Board: This assignment is included in the next lesson, but it’s helpful to start brainstorming as you learn about early and middle adulthood development! How might various psychological disorders, such as depression—or “Major Depressive Disorder” impact developmental experiences and outcomes throughout adulthood? You can go to https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml to start exploring which disorder you are interested in completing your discussion on. 😊
5. Quizzes: Chapters 10 and 13. (20 points each) You do not have a quiz on Chap. 11 or 12.
Click on the ‘Quizzes’ link, and click on the appropriate chapter quiz. Quizzes will be in the same format as previous quizzes. Only your highest score of your (up to) three attempts will go into the Gradebook .
Your Chapter 10 and 13 Quizzes are due by Sun., July 16th at 11:59pm.
You have reached the end of Lesson 6!
© 2023. Angela G. Bagne. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
