Topic 10: adulthood

Question 1

Describe the separation from childhood to adolescence to adulthood

Answer 1

• Childhood > adolescence = by puberty + hormonal changes
• Adolescence > adulthood = no clear cut = no hormonal or growth change

Question 2

Why is adulthood delayed?

Answer 2

• Due to going into further education adulthood delayed = financial independence + marriage/children + own household not established until after

Question 3

What are the stages of adulthood?

Answer 3

• Late teens - early twenties = emerging adulthood
• 20-40 = early adulthood
• 40-65 = middle adulthood

Question 4

Give the legal definition of adulthood

Answer 4

• Adult is a person who has reached age where they are responsible for own actions = legally accountable
• Varies from 16-21

Question 5

Give the socio-cultural definition of adulthood

Answer 5

• Based on what culture normatively views as being requirement/criteria for adulthood
• Depending on criteria definitions of adulthood differ within cultures
• May or may not coincide with legal definition

Question 6

Describe adult development

Answer 6

• Changes occur = biological + psychological + interpersonal = end of adolesence > end of life
• Changes gradual/rapid + can reflect +/-/no change from previous functioning
• Changes occur at cellular level = explained by biological theories of aging
• Biological changes = influence psychological + social developmental changes

Question 7

Explain the biopsychosocial metatheory of adult development

Answer 7

• Biopsychosocial approach = to understand development fully must consider all 3 levels of analysis
• Development of each 3 levels reciprocally influences other 2
• Nature + nurture constant interaction = how and why psychological development occurs
• All 3 explanations are valid none has causal primacy over others
• Any aspect of human development best described in relation to whole person

Question 8

Describe changes in adulthood period

Answer 8

• Not uniform period of stability = many important changes
• Changes related to changes in social roles
• Marriage
• Children
• Getting a house
• Jobs
• Death of loved ones

Question 9

Define midlife crisis

Answer 9

• Realization that half life is almost over
• Self-reflection on family/career/choices
• Empty nest syndrome = sadness when children leave home due to changes in lifestyle and routine + fear of aging
• Seek new chances to live

Question 10

Describe physical changes in adulthood

Answer 10

• At biological level = changes + problems in larger organs + musculoskeletal levels
• Sensory changes = to all 5 senses = commonly see close objects + hear high pitch
• Degeneration = muscles/bones/joints = can lead to arthritis

Question 11

Describe physical illnesses associated with adulthood

Answer 11

• Physical changes = health decline = risk of contraction
• Cancer = research connection between aging + cancer = majority > 50 = may be due to decline in immune system
• Arthritis = Osteoarthritis most common
• CVD = hypertension + high cholesterol is common in older adult s= increases likelihood of CVD
• Immune system = starts to become slow/weak = infection more easily with age

Question 12

Describe psychological illnesses associated with adulthood

Answer 12

• Gaining/changing/losing social roles = stressful
• Prolonged stress = negative consequences on immune + endocrine system
• Onset of anxiety + depression + psychotic disorders
• Disorders exacerbated as symptoms of physical illnesses