Early Adulthood

Prepared by: Denjyl Joeva Kath

 The life stage called early adulthood defines individuals between the ages of 20 and 35, who are typically vibrant, active and healthy, and are focused on friendships, romance, child bearing and careers. Yet serious conditions, such as violent events, depression and eating disorders, can negatively impact young adults.

Physical Changes
Females reach their adult heights by age 18, and, except for some males who continue to grow in their early 20s, most have reached their adult heights by the age of 21. However, muscles continue to gain mass - especially among males, and both genders continue to add body fat. Average weight gain for both women and men is about 15 pounds.

Cognitive Changes
Earlier life stages result in dramatic and critical changes, whereas in early adulthood essential brain growth already has taken place, and individuals are now applying and using their knowledge, and analytical capabilities. However many researchers point to continued changes, such as those taking place in the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex of the brain, which are areas where judgment, planning, speaking, and moving muscles are localized. Additionally, many theorists, such as Jean Piaget (1896-1980) noted a significant difference between adult and adolescent thinking. Adults have more flexibility in their thought patterns, understanding that there are multiple opinions on issues, and that there is more than one way to approach a problem. fluid intelligence - fast and abstract reasoning; in adults, there is a decline with age; includes nonverbal abilities, nonverbal puzzle solving, novel logic problems; allows best works at age of 20s and 30s by ) mathematicians, scientists, and poets .

 Multiple Intelligence (Howard Gardner) 7 Intelligences: Visual-Spatial Bodily-Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Linguistic Logical-Mathematical

5 stages of cognitive development

1. acquisitive stagethe task of acquiring information spans all of childhood and adolescence 2. achieving stagethe task of applying ones intelligence to reach career and family goals during early adulthood 3. responsible stagethe task of protecting career and family during and after the transition from early to middle adulthood 4. executive stagethe task of broadening focus from the personal domain to the community or societal level, typically occurring later than the responsible stage in middle adulthood but not necessarily exhibited by all adults 5. reintegrative stagethe task of applying ones intelligence to issues of great personal concern during late adulthood

 Robert Sternbergs theory of three components comprising love1. Intimacy componentcloseness, affection, connectedness 2. Passion componentsex drive, physical closeness, romance 3. Decision/Commitment component decision to (recognition of) love followed by the commitment to maintain the love

Relationships Erikson: identity vs isolation Need to make deep personal commitments to others: sacrifice and compromise Love in close friendships, marriage, children Difficulty in this stage leads to loneliness, isolation, & fear of relationships Erikson excludes single, celibate, childless, and homosexual lifestyles as healthy

Intimacy close, warm, communicative experience self-disclosure, sense of belonging Friendship based on mutual interests and values womens friendships are more intimate share confidences mens friendships are less intimate share activities

Patterns of Loving Nonlove absence of all three components Liking intimacy, but no commitment or passion Infatuation passion, but no commitment or intimacy Empty Love commitment, but no intimacy or passion

Patterns of Loving Romantic Love intimacy and passion, but no commitment Fatuous Love commitment and passion, but no intimacy Companionate Love commitment and love, but no passion Consummate Love commitment, intimacy, and passion

 No marital Lifestyles Single Numbers increasing: postpone or avoid marriage More acceptance, less social pressure to marry Most are active, secure, fulfilled Homosexual Coming out difficult, strong societal disapproval Seek love through long term relationships Satisfaction levels are similar to heterosexual relationships

 Cohabitation unmarried couple in a sexual relationship live together in consensual union becoming more prevalent as earlier sexual maturation is coupled with longer preparation time for employment lack commitment to marriage tend to have lower quality marriages and greater likelihood of divorce may reflect characteristics of people who choose cohabitation, rather than cohabitation itself

 Marriage Meets fundamental needs for belonging, sex, emotional growth, happiness. Best way for raising children Positively correlated with better physical, mental and financial well-being Differing expectations for marriage women expect sharing feelings and confidences men expect sharing activities, especially sex


Divorce Divorce rate highest in early adulthood Half of marriages end in divorce Characterized by high levels of conflict Communication problems is #1 reason Predictors of divorce Low in affection & we-ness High in negativity & disappointment

 Robert Sternbergs theory of three components comprising intelligence1. componential componentuse your mental components to select what youve learned (from formulae to data) to solve problems 2. experiential componentuse your experiences to insightfully apply old info to new situations 3. contextual componentuse your practical intelligence to cope in everyday life, including on-the-job situations

Emotional Changes.
Theorist ERIK ERIKSON (1902-1994) maintained that individuals develop in psychosocial stages, and that early adulthood marks the time when individuals seek to form intimate relationships. And Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) argued that a healthy adult is one who can "love and work." Simply stated, this developmental stage is characterized by relationships and work. Intimacy can be actualized through close friendships, romantic relationships, starting a family, or all three. Erickson argued that a firm sense of identity, gained in earlier developmental stages, was integral to entering intimate relationships, and research has supported this argument. Studies repeatedly find that those lacking a strong sense of identity have less satisfactory relationships, and they tend to be more emotionally isolated, lonely and depressed. depression is a major concern for individuals in their 20s to midthirties: most people diagnosed with major depression receive a diagnosis in this life stage. Depression is linked to violence, especially suicide, and eating disorders.

List of Adult Psychiatric Disorders Description, Symptoms, Causes

Adjustment Disorder Agoraphobia Alcohol/Substance Abuse Anorexia Nervosa Antisocial Personality Disorder Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD, ADHD) Autistic Disorder Avoidant Personality Disorder Bipolar Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Bulimia Nervosa Conduct Disorder Cyclothymia Disorder Delusional Disorder Dementia (Alcoholic, Alzheimer's type)