Early Adulthood

Developmental Tasks of Early Adulthood

Achieving autonomy, establishing identity, developing emotional stability, establishing a career, finding intimacy, becoming part of a group or community, establishing a residence and managing a household, becoming a parent, making marital adjustments.

Postformal Thought

A type of thinking characteristic of adult thought that is practical, realistic, and individualistic, involving an understanding of complexities.

Intimacy vs. Isolation (Erikson)

A developmental crisis in early adulthood where intimacy involves caring for another without losing oneself; identity must be established for successful relationships.

Cohabitation

An arrangement where two people live together in a romantic or sexually intimate relationship without being married.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love

A theory that posits love is comprised of three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Levinson's Stages of Adult Development

A theory reflecting adult transitions, including early adult transition, entering the adult world, age 30 transition, settling down, and midlife transition.

Emerging Adulthood

A proposed life stage between adolescence and young adulthood characterized by identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and a sense of broad possibilities.

Matching Hypothesis

The notion that individuals are more likely to marry someone with similar characteristics such as age, social class, and education.

The Authority Stage of Parenting

A stage focused on creating rules for children’s behavior and effectively guiding them throughout their toddler and preschool years.

Physical Development in Early Adulthood

Characterized by peak physical abilities in strength, motor skills, and reproductive health, followed by a gradual decline.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Risks

Youth transitioning into adulthood of concerns with high rates of alcohol and substance abuse leading to impaired judgment and risky behaviors.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

A fertility treatment often used by single women, women in a lesbian relationship, or women with an infertile male partner to achieve pregnancy.

Developmental Characteristics of Friendships in Early Adulthood

Friendships may vary by gender, with men focusing on solutions and activities, while women tend to share emotions and weaknesses.

Parenting Stages according to Galinsky

Include the Image-Making Stage, Nurturing Stage, Authority Stage, Interpretative Stage, Interdependent Stage, and Departure Stage.

Fertility Issues

Infertility affects about 11% of the reproductive age population, often due to both male and female factors.

Dialectical Thought

A cognitive process where adults can synthesize opposing viewpoints into new ideas.

Career Decision-making in Early Adulthood

Involves considering personal interests, soft skills, and the connection between education and workplace adaptability.

Risks of Unintentional Injuries

Leading cause of death among young adults aged 15-34 in the United States, influenced by drug and alcohol impairments.

Judgment in Relationships

Factors such as similarity, proximity, familiarity, and reciprocity influence how relationships are formed and maintained.

Characteristics of Authoritative Parenting

Involves demandingness and support, promoting a balanced approach to child-rearing.

Trends in Educational Attainment

Increased proportion of adults now holding a bachelor's degree or higher compared to previous generations.

Emerging Adulthood in Asia

Involves identity exploration and self-development but constrained by societal obligations.

Social Exchange Theory

Suggests individuals seek mutually rewarding relationships by maximizing benefits and minimizing costs.

Gender Differences in Friendships

Men often seek activity and solutions, while women focus on emotional sharing and support.

Risks Associated with Parenthood

Increased well-being and positive life outlook among parents but also higher chances of depression and lower marital satisfaction.

Intrusive Parenting Elements

Includes influences from parent characteristics, child characteristics, and sociocultural context on parenting behaviors.