Young Adulthood Flashcards
features
evolution of adult psychological self and life structure
assumption of major social roles
peak of biological development
Age range
20-40
transition
separation from parents (physical and intra-psychic)
start to function independently
shift in family dynamics
development of values and ideas w less influence of parents
developmental tasks
inner definition of self comfortable alone competent (developed more w new roles at work and as spouse/parent) able to care for self in real world THIRD INDIVIDUATION (remember Mahler)
reasons for living with parents
declining employment
increased college enrollment
declining marriage/delay in marriage
(coresidence will hinder autonomy)
20’s
aggressively pursue love and work
immense excitement about one’s potential
angst over possible failure and loneliness
tentative about choices
biological development
peak period anatomically, physiologically, and chemically
evolutionarily primed for physical labor and procreation
healthiest stage of life
max efficiency of the immune system
mental illness
increased risk for mental health conditions
many mental illnesses first present in teens and 20s
30s
autonomy, authority and self-sufficiency
watershed time - questions choices and direction (reappraisal of ones life)
can lead to crisis - marital difficulties, job changes, and depression/anxiety
psychosocial development
love and work, work and love
intimacy and love
hook-ups common during trasition from adolescence
inc desire for deep emotional involvement
intimacy vs self absorption (ERICKSON)
- identity vs role confusion is needed first to pursue intimacy
intimacy vs isolation
erickson
intimacy - could be lover, friend, or community member
require mutuality
role confusion will lead to fear of intimacy
finding a partner
in US, main factor is love
also: mutual attraction, similar interests, dependability, emotional stability, pleasing disposition, good health, intelligence, economic stability, and social standing
culture has an impact
changes involving marriage
age at first marriage is increasing co-habitation more common interracial marriage more common same sex marriage becoming legal in a number of states divorce rate dec
adult friendships
emotional needs in late adolescence and young adulthood largely met by friendships
during marriage periods, many friendships abandoned
couple friendships start
parent friendships
parenthood
joy in creation of a new human large number of needs intensifies relationship between parents many parents raise children in greater isolation in western culture more splitting of parental roles now
challenges of parenthood
economic burden (250000/child) time loss of independence process of letting go may reawaken conflicts parents experienced themselves as children
motherhood
moms of securely attached infants have sensitivity to infant’s needs and desires
responsive during face-to-face interactions
aware of child’s mood
warm and affectionate
overly responsive/under-responsive - likely to have insecurely attached children
single parenting
24% kids lived with only mother, 4% with only father
economically, emotionally, physically draining
children do better when both parents are involved
adoption
foster care preferred
inc of contraception and dec in adoption
questionable adoption regulations in some countries
addn’l challenges - when/how to tell, dealing with desire to learn about bio parents, children more likely to have behavioral problems and problems with drug abuse
work
work identity - self esteem
can also be a source of frustration
symptoms of job dissatisfaction
frequent job changes absenteeism frequent mistakes at work accident proneness sabotage
CAREER CONSOLIDATION
George Vaillant proposed this addn’t developmental stage after intimacy vs isolation (25-35)
expand personal identity to assume social identity in world of work
unemployment
5/6%
core identity tied to occupation - lack of control
by product loss - structured day, coworkers, status
higher incidence mental illness, alcohol abuse, violence, suicide
working mothers
65-75%
+: $, self esteem, social, status, power
more common in lower income families
greatest inc in working wives at top of income scale
51% think kids are better with mother at home (vs 8% fathers)
Kohlberg review
preconventional: follow rules based on punishments and rewards
conventional: approach moral problems in terms of position as good, responsible members of society
postconventional: universal moral principles considered broader than rules of particular society
Stage 5
Social contract driven
opinons, rights and values should be mutually respected
laws are social contracts, not rigid edicts
laws not promoting general welfare should be changed (greatest good for the greatest number of people)
ex: steal - everyone has right to choose life, don’t - scientist needs $
Stage 6
universal ethical principle driven
moral reasoning based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles
ex: steal - human life worth more than $, don’t - others need it too
critiques of kohlberg
good account of moral judgements but not moral behavior
same person might use different stage in diff situations
based on western cultures only
better at describing boys’ moral judgements (Carol Gilligan)
theory emphasizes analytical thinking, individual choice and responsibility rather than making judgements on cultural norms
