Young Adulthood Discussion

Module 6 Physical, Cognitive, and Socio-Emotional Development in

Early Adulthood

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD

Module 6 Part 1

Early Adulthood

• Emerging Adulthood is around ages 18-25 • Transition period from adolescence to

adulthood

Physical Development

• Physical performance and development o Peak physical performance typically occurs

between 19 and 26 o Muscle tone and strength usually begin to show

signs of decline around age 30

Physical Decline in Early Adulthood Teeth

• Periodontal disease o The cardiovascular system

• Hypertension o Lung capacity o Changes in skin

• The senses o Gradual loss of accommodation o Visual acuity o Hearing Loss

Nutrition and Exercise o Increase in bad health habits o Eating and weight

• Obesity - Linked to increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease

• Dieting - Become an obsession with many Americans o Although obesity is on the rise

o Regular exercise • Helps prevent chronic disorders • Aerobic exercise: Sustained exercise that stimulates

heart and lung activity • Exercise benefits both physical and mental health

o Improves self-concept and reduces anxiety and depression

Health Issues • Emerging adults have twice the mortality rate of

adolescents • Few chronic health problems • Depression • Accidents still the leading cause of death for this age group • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Diseases contracted

primarily through sex o Effective strategies for protecting against HIV o Know your risk status and that of your partner o Obtain medical examinations o Have protected, not unprotected, sex o Do not have sex with multiple partners

• Alcohol o Binge drinking - Increases in college

Stress • Stress refers to the physiological and

psychological reactions of an individual to demands

• Physical disorders associated with stress: o Heart disease o Hypertension o Migraine headaches o Lowered immune system responsiveness o Ulcers o Gastroenteritis o Asthma

Stress and Personality o Type A personality- more stressed o Type B personality o Type C personality

Stress Prevention o Exercise o Healthy diet o Avoiding stimulants and drugs o Getting enough sleep o Time management skills o Relaxation techniques o Healthy social support system o Counseling, if needed

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD

Module 6: Part 2

Cognitive Development • Cognitive stages

o Piaget’s view: • Adolescents and adults think qualitatively in the same

way • Individuals consolidate their formal operational thinking

during adulthood o Postformal thought:

• Reflective, relativistic, and contextual • Provisional • Realistic • Recognized as being influenced by emotion

Cognitive Development cont’d

• Creativity o Early adulthood is a time of great creativity for

some people

Self-Regulation

• Planning phase • Monitoring phase • Control phase • Reflection phase

Intelligence

• Crystallized intelligence • Cognitive flexibility • Visualization • Fluid intelligence

SOCIO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD

Module 6: Part 3

Personality

• Traits • The big five factors personality theory

o Openness o Conscientiousness o Extraversion o Agreeableness o Neuroticism

Attachment

• Attachment o Secure attachment style: Have a positive view

of relationships and find it easy to get close to others

o Avoidant attachment style: Are hesitant about getting involved in romantic relationships

o Anxious attachment style: Demand closeness, are less trusting, more emotional, jealous, and possessive

Cohabitation and Marriage

• Cohabitation occurs in about 70% of U.S. couples.

• Cohabiting couples have poorer marriage outcomes, higher cheating

• Marriage is correlated with happiness, better health, and increased longevity

Intimacy and Love o Sternberg’s triangle of love o Romantic love: Passionate love, or eros

• Strong components of sexuality and infatuation

o Affectionate love: Companionate love • Desires to have the other person near

o Based on a deep and caring affection • Consummate love: Strongest form of love

Friendship

• Friendships become more intimate and less group-driven.

• Friendships provide a source of support, security, and love

Work and Careers

• The impact of work o Most spend 1/3 of their lives at work o Important consideration is how stressful the work

is • From mid-twenties on, individuals often seek

to establish their emerging career in a particular field

• Unemployment, even temporary, causes stress

Erikson’s Stage

• Intimacy vs. Isolation • Establishing a sense of intimacy

o Parental behavior during development o Learning of skills necessary for intimacy

• Social isolation o Causes and outcomes

Early Adulthood Challenges

• Marriage and Divorce • Career vs. Jobs • Autonomy from Parents – full independence • Children and Infertility