Adulthood

Concept of Neurodiversity

  • Definition: Neurodiversity refers to the idea that neurological differences, such as autism and ADHD, are natural variations of the human genome and should be recognized and respected as such.

  • Importance: Each individual's brain functions uniquely, leading to diverse ways of thinking and learning in every person.

Developmental Psychopathology

  • Basic Principle: A fundamental concept in developmental psychopathology is that a single symptom can have multiple causes. This highlights the complexity of mental health in individuals.

Social Comparison

  • Definition: Social comparison is the tendency of individuals to evaluate their own abilities, achievements, and social status by measuring them against others.

The Pituitary Gland

  • Definition: The pituitary gland is a crucial gland in the brain that responds to signals from the hypothalamus by producing various hormones. It plays a significant role in regulating bodily functions such as growth and metabolism.

Sexual Characteristics

  • Primary Sexual Characteristics: Body characteristics directly involved in reproduction and pregnancy.

  • Secondary Sexual Characteristics: Features that develop at puberty but do not directly involve reproduction, such as hair patterns and breast development.

Piaget's Stages of Development

  • Formal Operational Stage: This stage is characterized by abstract reasoning and logical thinking.

Emerging Adulthood

  • Definition: The period of life between the ages of 18 and 25, marked by transitional experiences like college, job searching, and forming intimate relationships.

Erikson's Sixth Psychosocial Stage

  • Intimacy vs. Isolation: Emphasizes the need for forming deep relationships. Isolation can lead to mental and psychological effects, as experienced during the pandemic.
        - Types of Intimacy:
            - Romantic Intimacy
            - Platonic Intimacy
            - Familial Intimacy

Linked Lives Theory

  • Concept: Explores how family interrelations and life events can affect individual development and well-being. Family ties significantly impact one another's lives; events affecting one family member can ripple through the whole family.

Financial Support in Families

  • Observation: Parents of all income levels tend to support their adult children financially, often increasingly necessary due to high property prices and economic conditions.
        - Example: Many young adults rely on parental support to purchase homes in today's market, where house prices can exceed $600,000 or $700,000.

Intergenerational Households

  • Definition: Houses where multiple generations live together, such as grandparents, parents, and children. More common in some cultures than others.

  • Reasons for Intergenerational Living:
        - Financial Support
        - Childcare Assistance
        - Health Reasons

Foster Care and Support

  • Many foster care arrangements end at age 18, leaving young adults without the support system that family ties typically offer.

Helicopter Parents

  • Definition: Parents who are overly involved in their children's lives, controlling their actions and decisions leading to a lack of independence.

Snowplow Parents

  • Definition: Parents who attempt to clear obstacles away from their children’s paths instead of allowing them to face challenges, which may hinder their ability to cope in the real world.

Friendship in Emerging Adulthood

  • Importance: Friendships during this stage decrease loneliness and provide social support, though it's often harder to create new friendships compared to earlier stages like high school due to lack of a shared environment.

  • Gender Differences in Friendship:
        - Male friendships often focus on shared activities and interests.
        - Female friendships typically go deeper, focusing on emotional sharing and personal experiences.

Romantic Relationships and Love

  • Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love (1988): Defined three aspects of love:
        - Passion: An intense physical and emotional experience.
        - Intimacy: Deep knowledge of another person; sharing of secrets and feelings.
        - Commitment: The decision to maintain a relationship over time.
        - Types of Love:
            - Companionate Love: Intimacy and commitment without passion.
            - Romantic Love: Passion and intimacy without commitment.
            - Consummate Love: Combination of intimacy, passion, and commitment, viewed as the ideal.

Changing Trends in Relationships

  • Shift in marriage age: Historically, the average marriage age has increased due to priorities like education and career.

  • Cohabitation: More individuals today are living together before marriage, especially before age 25.

Parenting Expectations

  • Modern partners expect mutual support in child-rearing responsibilities, contrasting with previous generations that had different expectations for gender roles.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

  • Definition: IPV includes any psychological, emotional, or physical abuse from a partner. It has multiple causative factors and challenges in research, including defining abuse and contextual factors.
        - Situational Couple Violence: Occasional violence stemming from situational conflicts.
        - Intimate Terrorism: Ongoing and controlling abuse within relationships.

Physical Changes in Adulthood

  • Senses Ageing Process: Gradual decline in physical functions such as vision and hearing, which may adversely affect quality of life.

  • Importance of Healthy Habits: Lifestyle choices significantly impact aging, including exercise and diet.

  • Physical decline related to senescence includes increased blood pressure and a decrease in maximum lung function.

Pregnancy and Infertility

  • Definition of Infertility: The inability to conceive after at least one year of attempted pregnancy.

  • Statistics: About 12% of couples in the U.S. experience infertility, influenced by various medical and lifestyle factors.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

  • Definition: Medical interventions to assist in reproduction, such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Menopause and Andropause

  • Menopause in Women: The cessation of menstrual cycles and hormonal changes, typically around age 51, can lead to various physical and psychological symptoms.

  • Andropause in Men: Male equivalent involving decreased testosterone production, with less known outcomes or treatments compared to menopause.

Alcohol Consumption in Adulthood

  • Recommended Moderation: Current guidelines suggest moderation, with no more than two drinks per day for potential health benefits; however, research on safety and risks varies.

Life Expectancy and Morbidity

  • Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy is around 72 years, with a higher morbidity rate indicating many older adults live with health conditions rather than without them.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

  • Definition: These are basic activities essential for daily functioning, such as dressing, eating, and personal hygiene, often assessed in older adults to evaluate their independence.

Summary

  • Conclusion of the lesson on emerging adulthood, transitions, and social dynamics impacting individuals transitioning into adulthood, emphasizing the importance of relationships, responsibilities, and personal growth throughout life stages.