Chapter 11

Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood

20s & 30sPowerPoints developed by Jenni Fauchier,

Butchered by Professor Carney

Markers of Becoming an Adult

• When do we consider someone an adult?• (other than legally)

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Markers of Becoming an Adult

• Most widely recognized marker: • Holding permanent, full-time job

• Economic independence• Often long process

• Taking responsibility for self

• How changing?

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• Accepting responsibility • Consequences of actions

• Deciding beliefs & values

• Establishing relationship with parents as equal • What does this mean?

Markers of Becoming an Adult Cont.

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• 3 assets especially important to well-being during transition:

• 1. Intellectual (cognitive)

• 2. Psychological

• 3. Social friends)

I purchased socks

Markers of Becoming an Adult

Achieving the Transition 3 Types of Assets

• 1. Intellectual• Academic success

• Ability to plan • (delay gratification)

• Good decision-making skills

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Achieving the Transition 3 Types of Assets

• 2. Psychological• Mental health• Mastery motivation• Confidence in competence• Identity• Values• Community contributions

• 3. Social • Connectedness to others through:• Friendship• Positive peer relations

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Achieving the Transition 3 Types of Assets

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College Issues

• Today’s students experience more:• Stress• Depressed more then past

• Main concerns• Pressure

• Succeed in college• Get a great job• Make money

• Recession?

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Emerging Adulthood• Emerging Adulthood 18-25

• Transition from adolescence to adulthood• 5 features characterize emerging adulthood:

• 1. Identity exploration• Especially in love & work

• 2. Instability • 3. Self-focused • 4. Feeling in-between • 5. Possibilities

• Opportunity to transform their lives

I insisted Sarah fold pajamas

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Physical Performance & Development

• Physical performance peak before 30

• Signs of decline 30 • Sagging chins • Protruding abdomens • Lessening of physical abilities • Begin decline in physical performance

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Health

• 2x’s mortality rate of adolescents • Don’t think how lifestyles affect health

later• Smoking• Junk food

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Substance Abuse• Mid-20’s, reduced use alcohol & drugs

• Binge drinking • More common among college men • Problems include

• Missing classes

• Physical injuries

• Troubles with police

• Unprotected sex

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Sexuality

“Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere. “ Mae West

• Casual sex more common (18-25)

• Sexual orientationCombination of

•Genetic

•Hormonal

•Cognitive

•Environmental factors

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Realistic & Pragmatic Thinking

• Realistic and Pragmatic thinking

• Face reality• Idealism decreases

• What factors might cause this?

• Early adulthood switch from • acquiring knowledge

• to

• applying knowledge

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Reflective & Relativistic Thinking Perry

• When younger• Black & white thinking

• good/bad• right/wrong

• How does this change as we become an adult?

• Thinking in adulthood• Reflective & Relativistic thinking

• Consider many views

• Determine most suitable answer to situation.

• Others believe• Reflective thinking

• Important indicator of cognitive change

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Reflective & Relativistic Thinking Perry

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Postformal Thought

• Postformal thought• Understanding correct answer to problem

requires reflective thinking• Can vary situationaly

• Ex: Should I get an abortion?

• Includes belief • Solutions to problems need to be realistic • Emotion & biases can influence thinking

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Creativity

• Time of great creativity

• Decline in 50’s & later

• Extensive individual variation in lifetime output of creative individuals

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Career & Work

• Important themes of early adulthood:• Earning a living

• Choosing occupation• Establishing career• Developing career

Career & Work

• By mid-20’s• Many completed education or

training • Full-time occupation

• Remainder of early adulthood• Establish career• Improve financial standing

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Personality• Personality type theory

• Important to match personality with career

• Holland believes• Careers fit personality

• More likely • Enjoy work• Stay job longer

Personality

6 basic career-related personality types:

1.Realistic: Thinkers

2.Investigative: Doers

3.Artistic: Creators

4.Social: Helpers

5.Enterprising: Persuaders

6.Conventional: Organizers20s & 30s

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Holland’s Job Fit Theory