Human Behavior-Early/Middle Adulthood Flashcards
What age are people in young adulthood?
20-40
What are some characteristics of young adulthood?
- evolution of the adult psychological self and life structure
- assumption of major social roles
- peaking of biological development
What does transition to adulthood require?
success in previous stages of development
What is the transition to adulthood primarily characterized by?
separation from parents (physical and intra-psychic) and being able to function independently
How do the family dynamics shift?
the child is now a fellow adult
Who has influence on the values/ideas young adults develop?
less from parents and more from professors, bosses, coaches, peers, etc.
How does a young adult develop a new inner definition of the self early on?
self as being comfortably alone and competent; able to care for self in real world (develops more as adult takes new work/family roles)
Define third individuation. (Mahler)
separate self and develop self as fully competent/able to care for self
In 2012, what percentage of young adults ages 18-31 in the US were living with their parents? Why is this significant?
- 36%
- largest percentage in 40 years
What are the potential reasons for co-residence of young adults?
- declining employment
- increased college enrollment
- declining marriage/delay in marriage
What significant changes are going on in the brain during adolescence and continuing on to early/mid-20s?
- increased myelination of axons
- extension of dendrites
- synaptic pruning
Which structures of the brain are the last to develop in young adults?
- prefrontal cortex
- temporal cortex
- hippocampus (learning)
- amygdala (emotions/fear)
What are some functions of the prefrontal cortex?
- inhibiting impulses
- weighing consequences of decisions
- prioritizing
- strategizing
Do young adults still make impulsive or dangerous decisions?
yes, depending on stage of neuronal development
What age groups have the heaviest alcohol use?
late teens and early young adulthood
What is a misconception that young adults assume about heavy alcohol use?
it’s normal in the young adult population
What is the percentage of 18-24 year-olds who binge drank (>5 drinks/occasion) in the past 30 days?
- College = 45.2%
- Non-college = 39.8%
Which gender tends to have more alcohol use in young adulthood?
males
Alcohol use ______ after about age 25.
declines
What are the risks of binge drinking?
- unintentional injury/traffic accidents
- assault
- sexual assault
- negative effects on brain development (motor skills, memory, coordination)
- physical effects (BP, etc.)
What is normative re-education?
concept that societal alterations should be based on active re-education of people within the context of their social milieu; i.e. make something else the “norm”
What was normative re-education used for at Michigan State University? Was it effective?
- to reduce drinking
- yes!
What is the purpose of Brief Motivational Interviewing (Miller)?
- express empathy
- develop discrepancy
- avoid argumentation
- roll with resistance
- support self efficacy
What are examples of effective approaches to substance abuse?
normative re-education and brief motivational interviewing
In Western society, what is the age range of 20-30 characterized by?
- time to aggressively pursue both love and work
- immense confidence/excitement about one’s potential
- enormous doubt and angst over the fear of failure and loneliness
Young adults at 20-30 year old stage are often ______ about their choices.
tentative
What are 5 characteristics that define young adult biological development?
- peak in anatomical, physiological and chemical development
- evolutionarily primed for physical labor and procreation
- healthiest stage of life
- maximum efficiency of immune system
- good time to establish healthy habits as young adults are now making decisions for selves
What are young adults at increased risk for, biologically?
mental illness
Mental illnesses typically first present when?
between ages 20 to 30
At transition from adolescence to young adulthood, what is common, socially?
hookups
As they get older, young adults experience an increased desire for _________.
deep emotional involvement in a sexual context
What Erikson stage corresponds to young adulthood?
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Self-absorption)
What is needed to achieve successful intimacy?
successful resolution of Identity vs. Role Diffusion stage
Define intimacy.
being able to be close to others
With whom can one be intimate?
lover, friend, member of a community
What does true intimacy require?
mutuality
What are problems associated with intimacy when people have role confusion?
- frightened by intimacy required sexual relations
- scared of close friendships
- scared of important associations in adult life
In the US, what is the main factor that people look for when choosing a partner?
love
Besides love, what are some other factors people look for when choosing a partner?
mutual attraction, similar interests, dependability, emotional stability, pleasing disposition, good health, intelligence, economic stability, good social standing (different cultures may emphasize different factors)
For many people in Western culture, the experience of love leads to ______.
desire for marriage
Define homogamy
the tendency to marry someone who is similar in age, race, education, religion and other demographics
What are some characteristics of marriages that work?
- visible displays of affection
- little negative communication
- view selves as interdependent
- experience social homogamy
- similarity in leisure activities and role preferences
- similar interests
What are some characteristics indicative of early marital conflict?
- difficulty developing identity apart from spouse
- finding time to allocate sharing with spouse
- finances
Cultural views about marriage are _____ and rates of traditional marriage are _____.
- changing
- dropping
The percentage of women aged 15-44 in a first marriage has _______ since the 1980s.
steadily decreased
What percentage of women aged 15-44 were never married in 1982? In 2006-2010?
- 34%
- 38%
What is the median age of women when they first marry?
25.8
What is the median age of men when they first marry?
28.3
How many states banned interracial marriage in 1967 (Supreme Court decision)?
19
What percentage of new marriages in the US in 2010 were between spouses of different races or ethnicities? In 1980?
- 15%
- 6.7%
What percent of the public said they would have no problem with a family member marrying someone outside their own racial/ethnic group?
63%
In 1986, ____ of the public said interracial marriage was acceptable for everyone.
1/3
What percentage of women (2006-210) co-habited with a parter as a first union? In 1995?
- 48%
- 34%
What percentage of women cohabiting with partner as first union transitioned to marriage by 3 years?
40%
What percentage of women cohabiting with partner as first union remained intact?
32%
What percentage of women cohabiting with partner as first union dissolved?
27%
More educated women (BA/BS) were _______ to cohabit and _______ to marry.
- less likely
- more likely
What was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage? In what year?
- Massachusetts
- 2003
How many states (not counting the District of Columbia) currently legalize same-sex marriages?
17
How many states currently have amended their constitutions to ban gay marriage?
29
Divorce rates have ________ since the 1980s
declined
Most divorced patients _______.
marry again
Is a 2nd marriage more or less successful, usually, than the 1st one?
more
In late adolescence and young adulthood, what is the emotion need for closeness and confidentiality largely met by?
friendships
Why are some friendships in young adulthood abandoned?
young adults transition to form serious, intimate relationships (couples)