Week 9 - Young adulthood (20 > 40's)

Question 1

identify the changes in physical development in young adults

Answer 1

19-26 peak physical form
30 onwards muscle and strength decline
Greying and thinning hair beginning
Skin looser
Cholesterol and fat accumulate
Heart and lung capacity reduce
Immune system: reduction of T and B cells
Basal metabolic rate changes at 25
Fat, sugar, physical problems and screen time predictors of obesity (developed countries worse)

Question 2

discuss sexuality in young adults

Answer 2

Familiarity, similarity, values and lifestyle needed for close relationship
Seek consensual validation
Heterosexual men have more sexual partners, women more selective
LGBTQI+ similar dynamics

Masters & Johnson -
Excitement phase: blood rushing to sexual organs, lubricant stimulated
Plateau phase: Blood pressure, breathing, secretions all increase
Orgasm phase: muscles contract, breathing at peak
Resolution phase: body coming back to normal levels.

Question 3

characterise cognitive changes in early adulthood

Answer 3

Piaget suggests that adolescents and adults think qualitatively the same (formal operations)
Some theorists suggest YA’s consolidate their formal thinking during adulthood
Reality decreases idealism
Black and white mentality > reflective, relativistic thinking
IQ scores in YAhood predict income & occupation accurately
Expertise - beginning to build

Question 4

explain the key dimensions of career and work in early adulthood

Answer 4

Developing occupational goals -
Crystallisation: how do my interests line up with my career possibilities?
Specification: the pursuit of what’s needed (skills/learning)
Implantation : completion of what’s needed and seek out job
Stabilisation: establish themselves in career
Consolidation: Continue to build expertise

Hollands job test/theory would test categories of personality characteristics (realistic, intellectual, social, conventional, enterprising, artistic) to predict career.

Question 5

identify attachment styles, and key aspects of attraction, love and close relationships

Answer 5

Secure - (+) self image (+) partner image
intimacy comfortable
expressive
autonomous
low anxiety and avoidance

Preoccupied - (-) self image (+) partner image
Preoccupied with relationships
emotionally expressive
Poor emotion regulation
Dependent and highly anxious
Low avoidance

Dismissing - (+) self image (-) partner image
Dismissive of intimacy
Downplays emotion (reasonable regulation)
Counter dependent
Low anxiety high avoidance

Fearful - (-) self image (-) partner image
Fears intimacy and emotions
Poor regulation
Socially avoidant
High anxiety and avoidance

Question 6

discuss making marriages work, parenting and divorce.

Answer 6

Erikson - intimacy vs isolation
Failure to achieve intimacy in this stage = isolation

Sternberg’s triarchic theory of love -
Passion: physical and sexual attraction
Intimacy: emotional feelings of warmth, closeness and sharing
Commitment: intent to maintain relationship
-Romantic love - Intimacy and passion
-Companionate love - intimacy and commitment
-Fatuous love - passion and commitment
-Consummate love - intimacy, passion and commitment

Principles of a working marriage -
love maps, nurturing fondness and admiration, allowing influence of partner, solving solvable conflicts, creating shared meaning.

Parenting -
The changing role of men, fewer children and working needs all impact

Divorce -
YA peak for divorce, with finances biggest predictor.