Chapter 11Physical and Cognitive Development in Early

Adulthood

© 2006 Pearson Education/Prentice-Hall Publishing

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Emerging Adulthood Emerging adulthood -- transition from

adolescence to adulthood Five key features characterize emerging

adulthood: Identity exploration, especially in love and

work Instability Self-focused Feeling in-between The age of possibilities when individuals have

an opportunity to transform their lives (Jeffrey Arnett, 2006)

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Becoming an Adult? Holding permanent, ft job Taking personal responsibility Playing house

Three variables related to success:Intellectual fitness -- academic success, good

decision-makingPsychological -- self-motivation, confidence,

identity, valuesSocial -- community involvement, peer relations

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A. Physical Development and the Senses

Maturation mostly complete. Senescence [next]

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Physical Performance and Development

Most reach peak physical performance before 30

Begin to decline in physical performance around age 30 Sagging chin, protruding abdomens Sensory systems show little change

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Motor Functioning, Fitness, and Health

ExerciseIncreases cardiovascular fitness.Muscles become stronger, body

more flexible, endurance increases.Reduces osteoporosis in later lifeRange of motion is greater,

ligaments more elastic.Immune system functioning

maximized.

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Health

Few chronic health problems, but still significant deaths by:Accidents, suicide, homicide [p.311]

Lifestyle choices (drugs, alcohol, smoking, unprotected sex) can hasten secondary aging, but few think about it.

5 years after stopping smoking, health risk is significantly lower

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Health: Violence

Major cause of death for men in early adulthood Homicide is #1 cause of death for young blacks;

2nd leading cause of death for Hispanics; 5th for white.

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B. Obesity - A “weighty” concern

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B. Obesity - A “weighty” concern

Obesity -- BMI > 29 Linked to increased risk of hypertension,

diabetes, and cardiovascular disease Set point, metabolism, need to reduce

calorie intake

Most young adults know which foods are healthy, but ignore good nutrition.

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C. Physical Disabilities in Young Adulthood: Coping With Physical

Challenge Number of disabled Americans ~ 54 million. (2006)

Includes: blind, deaf, wheelchairs also those with chronic diseases or mental disabilities.

• 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates full access to public facilities and accommodations in education and employment.• Some nondisabled focus so much on disability that they overlook a person’s abilities.

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D. Date Rape Date or acquaintance rape

Text: 2/3 college freshman women report having been date-raped or experienced attempted date rape.

RM: Way exaggerated!

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E. Stress and CopingDefine stress Stress is a biological reaction

to external events, in which hormones are released that cause a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

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II. Cognitive Development

A. Evidence suggests that Piaget was WRONG that adolescents and adults think qualitatively in the same way (and many adults don’t think in formal operations).

B. Gisela Labouvie-Vief

postformal thought

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C. William Perry

Dualism Multiplism Relativism Commitment

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E. Sternberg and Intelligence(thinking?)

Robert Sternberg’s TRIARCHIC THEORY OF INTELLIGENCE:Componential – analyzing data to solve problems;

“intelligence” tests.Experiential – using prior experience to cope with new

situations.Contextual – meeting the demands of the everyday

world.

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Stimulating Creativityp. 323

Steps toward a more creative lifeSet a schedule!Keep a journalFollow ideas that spark an interest Wake up in the morning with a specific goalSpend time in settings that stimulate your

creativity

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III. College: Pursuing Higher Education

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Education & Poverty

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The Changing College Student

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The Changing College StudentProportion of 18-to-24-Year-Old Men andWomen

Enrolled in College, 1967-2005

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The Changing College Student

1/3 of college students today are 25 years of age or older.

Average age at CC is 31. “A college degree is becoming

increasingly important in obtaining a job.”

RM: Essential to a good job [next]

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College Adjustment

Surveys: almost half have a least one significant psychological issue. [next]

Relationship changes

When should college students consider getting professional help with their

problems? Distress that interferes

with ability to function. Hopelessness or

depressed feelings. Inability (or reduced ability)

to build close relationships with others.

Physical symptoms that have no apparent underlying cause.

Sleep, eating, activity

During the 1st year of college

What is at the root of this difference?

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Work and College

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Dropping Out of College

Half of all students drop out of college. Why?