Early Adulthood—Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Development

Question 1

What are the roles of nutrition and exercise in the health of young adults?

Answer 1

benefits physical and mental health, prevents chronic diseases later

Question 2

How is adult cognition different from that of adolescents?

Answer 2

adults especially increase their knowledge in a specific area, such as a physicist’s understanding of physics or a financial analyst’s knowledge about finance

Question 3

What is meant by post-formal thought?

Answer 3

• Reflective, relativistic, and contextual. As young adults engage in solving problems, they might think deeply about many aspects of work, politics, relationships, and other areas of life (Labouvie-Vief, 1986). They find that what might be the best solution to a problem at work (with a boss or co-worker) might not be the best solution at home (with a romantic partner). Thus, postformal thought holds that the correct answer to a problem requires reflective thinking and may vary from one situation to another. Some psychologists argue that reflective thinking continues to increase and becomes more internal and less contextual in middle age (Labouvie-Vief, Gruhn, & Studer, 2010; Mascalo & Fischer, 2010).
• Provisional. Many young adults also become more skeptical about the truth and seem unwilling to accept an answer as final. Thus, they come to see the search for truth as an ongoing and perhaps never-ending process.
• Realistic. Young adults understand that thinking can’t always be abstract. In many instances, it must be realistic and pragmatic.
• Recognized as being influenced by emotion. Emerging and young adults are more likely than adolescents to understand that their thinking is influenced by emotions (Labouvie-Vief, 2009; Labouvie-Vief, Gruhn, & Studer, 2010). However, too often negative emotions produce thinking that is distorted and self-serving at this point in development.

Question 4

According to Erikson’s theory, _________ is described as finding oneself while losing oneself in another person.

Answer 4

Intimacy vs Isolation

Question 5

When young adults fail to develop meaningful relationships it may result in _______________.

Answer 5

Isolation

Question 6

How do the peer relationships of men and women differ?

Answer 6

women have more close friends and their friendships involve more self-disclosure and exchange of mutual support (Dow & Wood, 2006). Women are more likely to listen at length to what a friend has to say and be sympathetic, and women have been labeled as “talking companions” because talk is so central to their relationship (Gouldner & Strong, 1987). Women’s friendships tend to be characterized not only by depth but also by breadth: Women share many aspects of their experiences, thoughts, and feelings (Helgeson, 2012). When female friends get together, they like to talk, but male friends are more likely to engage in activities, especially outdoors. Thus, the adult male pattern of friendship often involves keeping one’s distance while sharing useful information. Men are less likely than women to talk about their weaknesses with their friends, and men seek practical solutions to their problems rather than sympathy (Tannen, 1990). Also, adult male friendships are more competitive than those of women

Question 7

How prevalent is divorce?

Answer 7

3.6 divorces per 1,000

Question 8

In what ways are gay and lesbian relationships similar to those of heterosexual couples?

Answer 8

similar—in their satisfactions, loves, joys, and conflicts—to heterosexual relationships (Fingerhut & Peplau, 2013). For example, like heterosexual couples, gay and lesbian couples need to find the balance of romantic love, affection, autonomy, and equality that is acceptable to both partners

Question 9

What misconceptions about gay and lesbian relationships exist?

Answer 9

Contrary to stereotypes, one partner is masculine and the other feminine in only a small percentage of gay and lesbian couples. Only a small segment of the gay population has a large number of sexual partners, and this is uncommon among lesbians. Furthermore, researchers have found that gays and lesbians prefer long-term, committed relationships (Fingerhut & Peplau, 2013). About half of committed gay couples do have an open relationship that allows the possibility of sex (but not affectionate love) outside the relationship. Lesbian couples usually do not have this type of open relationship

Question 10

How do adults cope with and react to the impact of divorce?

Answer 10

difficulty trusting someone else in a romantic relationship, Think of divorce as a chance to grow personally and to develop more positive relationships.

• Make decisions carefully. The consequences of your decision making regarding work, lovers, and children may last a lifetime.
• Focus more on the future than the past. Think about what is most important for you going forward in your life, set some challenging goals, and plan how to reach them.
• Use your strengths and resources to cope with diffi culties.
• Don’t expect to be successful and happy in everything you do. “The road to a more satisfying life is bumpy and will have many detours” (p. 109).
• Remember that “you are never trapped by one pathway. Most of those who were categorized as defeated immediately after divorce gradually moved on to a better life, but moving onward usually requires some effort” (p. 109).