Chapter 10: Early Adulthood - Developmental Psychology

How have the traditional markers of adulthood changed over the past 50 years in the US?

In 1960s majority at 25-years old in U.S, will check all majority of finishing education, having a career job, getting married, becoming a parent, (2010-now)-minority

Describe Arnett’s stage of “emerging adulthood.” What are the features of this stage? Why is this a distinct stage now, in the 21st century?

-New Life stage

-After high school (19-28)

-Not universal-developed world life stage

-Most challenging life stage

-Life More unstructured

-We make more decisions/ responsibilities

Why?

-College degree takes long

-more expectations for post-h.s. students

-workforce changes

-change plans/goals

-lifestyle choices to explore

-costs

-longer life expectancy

How does culture influence the pathway/timetable to adulthood?

Culture acts as the blueprint that defines what adulthood is, when it begins, and which milestones prove you have arrived.

Social-clock pressures, or age norms, set the boundaries of emerging adulthood.

Describe Erikson’s task of “identity formation.”

Identity versus role confusion, Taking time to explore different paths, he argued, is crucial to forming a solid adult identity. "Who am I?": My beliefs+values and "Who do I want to be?" “Goals?”).

Describe Marcia’s theory of identity development. What are the two dimensions and how do

they create four types of identity status? Name and describe each status. Hint: Moratorium,

Achievement, Foreclosure, Diffusion

1. Exploration: gathering information

2. Commitment: making the decision

Diffusion: an identity status in which the person is aimless or feels totally blocked, no exploration/commitment

Moratorium: an identity status in which the person actively explores different possibilities to find a truly solid adult life path. yes exploration, no commitment

Foreclosure: an identity status in which the person decides on an adult life path without any thought or active search, no exploration yes commitment

Achievement: when a young person decides on a satisfying adult life path, yes commitment/exploration

How does self-esteem change from adolescence through emerging adulthood?

The downside is that, because many teens overinflate their abilities, self-esteem often drops when young people enter college dips or stabilizes at a lower point,

Describe college enrollment and graduation rates in the U.S. What is the main reason for lower

graduation rates? What other reasons contribute?

most young people in the United States enroll in college, a high fraction may drop out before finishing.

1. Bachelor’s degree takes about 6 years bc of costs, changing major

2. Grad rate= 60% because of difficulty, changing mind

3. Associate’s degree grad rate= 40%, bc people transfer before graduating

What are the major long-term benefits of tertiary education to society and to individuals?

boosting individual earnings, health, and career flexibility while strengthening economic growth, civic life, and public finances across society

What is “flow”? How do you know if you’re in a state of flow? How does understanding flow

relate to finding a good career?

feeling total absorption in a challenging, goal-oriented activity

-Fully engaged

-Using our skills to fullest

-Feels good- loose track of time

Flow happens when we are working toward a goal.

Describe Erikson’s stage of psychosocial development in young adulthood. What is the central

task for young adults?

Intimacy versus isolation, Erikson’s first adult task, intimacy — finding committed love — has changed dramatically in recent decades.

What are four major changes in dating/romance that have occurred in the last generation?

People now find romance online differences in sexual orientation are far more acceptable in the West. Exploration and casual stages, Delayed marriage and more cohabitation, Evolving gender and LGBTQ+ norms

What are three adult attachment styles? Name and describe each of the three styles.

Preoccupied/Ambivalent: falls involve quickly, clingy, jealous

Avoidant/dismissive: holds back, doesn’t open up

Secure= open, vulnerable, gradual opening over time, OK w/partner, having other friends, more successful in relationships

How or why might adult attachment styles change?

they can shift over time through new relationship experiences, major life events, age-related development, and intentional self-work or therapy