Young Adulthood: Physical, Cognitive, Social and Behavioral Development

Primary aging

the universal and irreversible physical changes caused by biological effects that occur to all living creatures as they grow older

secondary aging

The specific physical illnesses or conditions that become more common with aging but are caused by health habits, genes, and other influences that vary from person to person.

Brain and Nervous System

-growth spurts in the brain

-response inhibition cortex control of limbic system

-new neuronal production

-gradual loss of speed
-every body function is affected

-gradual changes in neuronal level

Sex differences in Brain and Nervous System development

men have lower proportion of white matter in left brain hemisphere than right, women have an equal portion of gray matter in each brain hemisphere

changes in physical function

-changes are balanced between physical demand and physical capacity

-strength and speed (strength peaks in the early 20s and early 30s, active lifestyles affect functioning)

changes in reproductive capacity

-women's reproductive capacity begins to drop in her mid 30s

-men's capacity diminishes but remains intact

changes in heart and lungs

-systematic decline with age on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max)

-reflects cumulative effects of sedentary lifestyle

-aerobic exercise can improve VO2 max at nearly any age

grip strength

will gradually decline

Immune system functioning

thymus gland and bone marrow produce B cells and T cells, B cells produce antibodies to fight off external threats, T cells defend against internal threats such as transplanted organs, cancer cells and viruses

Thymus gland

glandular organ at base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age, gland is essential to aging process, declines in immune system may be in response to stress or depression

self-efficacy

An individual's belief that he or she is capable of performing a task.

internal locus of control

the perception that you control your own fate

external locus of control

the perception that chance or outside forces beyond your personal control determine your fate.

prevention for STDs

condoms, vaccines for certian infections (such as HPV and Hepatitis B), dental dams, prEP prescription to reduce the risk of HIV, limiting number of sexual partners, medications for bacterial and parasitic STIs

Sexual abuse

any sexual act without consent

Mental Health

-1in 5 adults experience a mental health illness

-18% live with anxiety disorders

-7% live with major depression

-1 out of 5 youth ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition

-37% of students with a mental health condition age 14+ drop out of school

-70% of youth in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness

________ of youth in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness

70%

Three personality disorder clusters: Cluster A

The Odd, Eccentric Cluster

Three personality disorder clusters: Cluster B

The Dramatic, Unpredictable Cluster

Three personality disorder clusters: Cluster C

The Anxious, Fearful Cluster

substance use

-peaks between the age of 18 and 40

-there are gender differences

-binge drinking is common among college students

-physical and psychological dependence and physical tolerance may occur

Cognitive changes Post-formal thought

thinking characterized by an understanding of the relative non-absolute nature of knowledge

Cognitive Changes: dialectical thought:

ability to think logically and critically in order to assess and evaluate propositions

In dialectal thought: intuitive and analytical thought finds _______________

balance

In dialectal thought: truth becomes ___________in the eye of the beholder

absolute

Social and personality development theories: Erickson:

intimacy versus isolation stage

Social and personality development theories: Levinson:

-life structures such as roles and relationships and conflicts and balances that exist between them

-formation of intimate relationship is the central developmental tasks

Levinson’s social and personality development theories argues that they cycle through periods of _________ and ___________

stability ; instability

triangle model of love is by which Psychologist and include the components of:

Robert J. Sternberg; passion, intimacy, and commitment

Evolutionary Theory: Primary motive is reproductive success:

-people who make bad mate choices will have little success

Mate preferences should be shaped by ______________

natural selection

We are instinctively attracted to features associated with _____________

reproductive success

Evolutionary Theory: Parental investment theory

-the sex that invests more is more selective

females should look for mate that could:

provide resources, was willing to invest resources, and protect family

Males look for a mate that had good:

reproductive potential, young and healthy, would be faithful, and nurturing

Prevalence of Marriage and Divorce in the US

-number of marriages 1,985,072

marriage rate

6.0 per 1,000 total

number of divorces:

689,308

divorce rate:

2.5 per 1,000 population

common causes or marriage problems

1. poor communication

2. money disputes

3. housework hassles

4. fickle priorities

5. lack of trust

6. keeping score

7. expecting your partner to make you happy

8. making promises you can't keep

9. expect your partner to change

10. expecting your partner to read your mind

depression

-weepiness/crying for no apparent reason

-feeling "I'm not like myself" of "this isn't me"

-impatience

-irritability

-restlessness

-anxiety

-sadness
-mood changes

-poor concentration

baby blues'

-difficulty sleeping, insomnia, exhaustion

-lack of energy

-low sex drive

-changes in appetite, weight loss or gain

-weepiness, excessive worry, agitation, anxiety

-feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, despair

-guilt, sadness, fear of being alone

-irritability

-difficulty concentrating, panic, anger

-scary thoughts about baby, over-concern for baby's health

postpartum disorders

-postpartum depression

-postpartum OCD

-postpartum anxiety

Stages of parenting according to Galinsky

developing parent