final exam #2 Flashcards
Adulthood ONLY
What are the characteristics of emerging adulthood, and how does this stage differ from other stages in the lifespan?
Identity exploration, instability, self-focus, a sense of being “in-between,” and possibilities.
What are the key differences between emerging adulthood and established adulthood as developmental life stages?
Emerging Adulthood (18-29): Exploration of identity, education, relationships, and career. Greater flexibility and less stability.
Established Adulthood (30-45): Stability in career, relationships, and family. Greater responsibility and fewer transitions.
What demographic trends have changed for young adults over time?
More young adults are delaying marriage, home ownership, and
parenthood.
Rising education levels and higher living costs have contributed to delayed milestones.
What are the physical developmental characteristics of emerging adults, including changes in appearance, illnesses, and health?
Emerging adults (18–29) are at their physical peak with optimal strength, endurance, and metabolism. Skin is healthy, though some may still have acne. Health risks rise with poor lifestyle choices like bad diet and lack of sleep
According to Arnett, what factors drive the emergence of the “new life stage” of emerging adulthood?
ccording to Arnett, the emergence of emerging adulthood is driven by extended education, delayed marriage and parenthood, prolonged financial dependence, and cultural shifts toward individualism and personal exploration.
What are the typical intimacy-related patterns for emerging adults, including their attitudes toward sex, dating patterns (e.g., serial monogamy and social homogamy), factors influencing attraction, the concept of choice overload, and the closeness in romantic relationships and friendships?
Sexual Attitudes and Dating: Serial monogamy (sequential exclusive relationships), social homogamy (choosing partners with similar backgrounds).
Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love: Relationships are combinations of intimacy, passion, and commitment.
Factors Influencing Attraction:
Proximity, availability, physical attraction, self-disclosure, and shared values.
How does the diathesis-stress model relate to psychopathology, and what forms of psychopathology are most likely to emerge in emerging adulthood? Can you apply this model to an example?
Mental health disorders can arise when environmental stress triggers underlying vulnerabilities or genetic predispositions.
Disorders like schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression are more likely to manifest in early adulthood.
What trends exist in alcohol consumption during young adulthood, and how do these trends manifest?
Alcohol use and abuse peak in emerging adulthood, particularly among college students.
What is post-formal thought, and how does it appear in emerging adults? How do changes in objectivity/subjectivity, flexibility, delay discounting, pragmatic thinking, and dialectical thinking manifest?
Post-formal thought is a higher level of thinking that goes beyond the logical, black-and-white reasoning of adolescence. It involves complexity, ambiguity, and flexibility in decision-making.
How does identity development occur in emerging adulthood, from the perspective of Erikson?
Identity Development (Erikson):
Crisis of Intimacy vs. Isolation: Emerging adults must navigate forming intimate relationships without losing personal identity.
Loneliness: Peaking in emerging adulthood, despite having many friends
How does vocational identity develop from childhood onwards?
Career choices move from fantasy to tentative and finally to realistic, where constraints and options are considered
How is attachment theory relevant for young adults, and in what ways is attachment related to social adjustment?
High autonomy, financial independence, positive relationships, and self-esteem all contribute to well-being
What characteristics of emerging adults contribute to their overall happiness?
Secure attachment leads to better social and emotional adjustment.
Attachment patterns influence romantic relationships and friendships.
How does Erikson view psychosocial development in middle adulthood?
Generativity vs. Stagnation: Middle adults focus on contributing to society (generativity) or feeling stagnation if they fail to make a meaningful contribution
What are the various challenges that make middle adulthood a time for increased stress for some individuals?
Challenges Leading to Increased Stress:
Balancing family, career, health issues, and financial responsibilities
How do rates of different forms of partnerships (cohabitation, marriage), divorce, parenthood, and singlehood in middle adulthood compare to historical trends?
Increasing rates of cohabitation and divorce.
Later life parenting, and more single adults.
What do the terms “sandwich generation,” “boomerang kids,” and “empty nesters” mean, and what are their potential implications for stress and adjustment in adults?
Sandwich Generation: Adults caring for both children and aging parents.
Boomerang Kids: Adults who return to live with their parents after a period of independence.
Empty Nesters: Parents whose children leave home, leading to potential role loss.
What is senescence, and how is it reflected in physical, hormonal, and neurological changes during middle adulthood? What are some buffers against the aging process?
Natural aging process affecting physical and cognitive abilities. Factors like exercise, sleep, and social support can buffer against aging.
What is menopause, and what are its biological and social impacts?
Menopause: Decline in estrogen and progesterone in women (typically late 40s to early 50s).
Andropause: Gradual decline in testosterone in me
How do aging trends differ between sexes and across socioeconomic status (SES) in terms of life expectancy, mortality, illness, and health?
Collagen loss, muscle strength reduction, bone density loss.
Decreasing sensory abilities (e.g., presbyopia, presbycusis).
What are the two “clusters” of intelligence, and how do these forms of intelligence change with age?
Fluid intelligence: Declines with age (quick thinking, problem-solving).
Crystallized intelligence: Cumulative knowledge, remains stable or improves.
How do studies of intelligence in middle adulthood differ based on methodology (e.g., cross-sectional vs. longitudinal)?
What is expert cognition, why is it most possible in adulthood, and what cognitive skills are reflected in expertise?
Experienced adults often rely on intuition, automaticity, and flexible strategies in problem-solving.
What are the characteristics of a midlife crisis, and what factors influence its occurrence?
Not universal, but may involve reflection and revaluation of life achievements. It’s more related to personal history than to age alone
