Physical and Cognitive Development in Emerging and Young Adulthood

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and definitions from the lecture on physical and cognitive development in emerging and young adulthood.

Emerging Adulthood

A proposed transitional period between adolescence and adulthood characterized by continued exploration of roles before assuming full adult responsibilities.

Markers of Adulthood

Accepting personal responsibility, making independent decisions, and becoming financially independent.

Health Status in Emerging Adulthood

A life stage when foundations for lifelong physical functioning are laid; most U.S. young adults report good to excellent health.

Accidents (Ages 20-44)

The leading cause of death for U.S. adults in this age range.

Genetic Influences on Health

Health outcomes resulting from interactions between inherited genes and environmental conditions.

Behavioral Influences on Health

Lifestyle choices—such as diet, exercise, and substance use—that interact with genetic and environmental factors to affect well-being.

Diet and Nutrition

Eating patterns that influence appearance, energy, disease risk, and longevity; WHO recommends fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fats.

Obesity

Excessive body fat that has doubled globally since 1980 and increases risks for chronic diseases and depression.

Eating Disorders

Maladaptive eating patterns like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, often untreated and with low success rates.

Physical Activity

Regular exercise that maintains weight, builds muscle, strengthens the cardiovascular system, reduces disease risk, eases anxiety/depression, and prolongs life.

Stress

Psychological pressure linked to physical and immunological impairments when chronic and unmanaged.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Dealing with stress by managing feelings, such as reframing an event positively or avoiding the issue.

Problem-Focused Coping

Directly addressing a stressor through action-oriented strategies to change the situation.

Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep that impairs physical health, cognition, emotion, and social functioning; common among college students.

Smoking

Leading preventable cause of death in U.S. adults, associated with lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Secondhand Smoke

Inhalation of others’ tobacco smoke, which also increases disease risk.

Alcohol Use in College

Higher frequency and intensity of drinking among college students compared with non-students.

Risky Drinking

For men, >14 drinks per week or >4 in a day; for women, >7 per week or >3 in a day.

Indirect Health Influences

Factors such as income, education, race/ethnicity, and relationships that shape health outcomes.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Combined influence of income and education on health, with higher SES linked to better health and longevity.

Social Integration

Active engagement in diverse social relationships and roles that support healthy behaviors.

Social Support

Material, informational, and psychological resources derived from one’s social network to cope with stress.

Alcoholism

Chronic dependence on alcohol that interferes with normal functioning; treated via detox, therapy, and support groups.

Substance Use Disorder

Problematic use of drugs or alcohol; about 20% co-occur with mood or anxiety disorders.

Depression in Emerging Adulthood

Affective disorder with onset risk rising between ages 15 and 22, influenced by multiple developmental paths.

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

Physical and emotional symptoms occurring up to two weeks before menstruation; alleviated by exercise, diet, sleep, and medication.

Infertility

Inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sex; affects about 7% of U.S. couples.

Reflective Thinking

Continuous evaluation of information and beliefs in light of evidence; becomes more prominent in early adulthood.

Postformal Thought

Adult cognition integrating logic with emotion and experience, accepting ambiguity and relativism.

Schaie’s Acquisitive Stage

Childhood-adolescence phase of acquiring information and skills primarily for their own sake.

Schaie’s Achieving Stage

Late teens to early 30s; using acquired knowledge to pursue personal goals.

Schaie’s Responsible Stage

Late 30s to early 60s; solving practical problems related to responsibilities toward others.

Schaie’s Executive Stage

30s/40s through middle age; managing societal systems and complex, multilevel relationships.

Schaie’s Reorganizational Stage

Post-retirement period of restructuring life and intellect around meaningful pursuits.

Schaie’s Reintegrative Stage

Late adulthood focus on tasks with personal meaning amid biological and cognitive changes.

Schaie’s Legacy-Creating Stage

Advanced old age; preparing end-of-life arrangements and transmitting life stories or belongings to loved ones.

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Sternberg’s model comprising componential (analytic), experiential (creative), and contextual (practical) elements.

Tacit Knowledge

Practical know-how not taught formally but essential for success in real-world settings.

Emotional Intelligence

Ability to perceive, understand, and regulate emotions for effective behavior and relationships.

Moral Reasoning

Progression of ethical judgment linked to cognitive maturation and cultural context.

Gilligan’s Gender Perspective

View that women’s moral reasoning often centers on care and relationships rather than abstract justice.

Substantive Complexity

Degree to which a job requires independent thought and judgment, fostering cognitive growth.

Spillover Hypothesis

Idea that intellectual gains from complex work carry over to leisure activities, enhancing overall cognition.

College Transition

Period of adjustment marked by new academic and social demands; not the predominant path for all young adults.

Family Support (College)

Key resource that eases adaptation to postsecondary education.

Cognitive Growth in College

Improvements in critical thinking, quantitative skills, and moral reasoning during higher education.

Completing College

Outcome influenced by motivation, preparation, social integration, finances, and fit between student goals and institution.

Substance Experimentation

Common young adult pattern of trying alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs.

Competence (Work Transition)

General and job-specific effectiveness, paired with initiative and flexibility, that eases entry into the workforce.