Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

o Regression Theory: Freud suggests anorexia is a subconscious manifestation against maturation o Cultural Image Theory: says media suggest unrealistic weight expectations for the general population to emulate o Control Theory: states that due to a lack of control in life, an individual may eat excessively. o Typically, younger individuals are more often affected and those from higher SES tend to be diagnosed more than those from lower SES. - Death o Is not particular to a race, gender, or culture o Includes accidents, homicides, or suicides o Some studies suggest that males are more likely to die during early adulthood than females. Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood: During early adulthood, physical changes slowly decelerate, while cognitive changes increase. Stores of knowledge, speed of cognition, information processing efficiency, and thought content all accelerate. Individuals learn to think and behave in more practical, integrative, and resourceful ways. Post-Formal Thought is less abstract than Formal Thought. During the early adulthood years, an individual uses reasoning which helps them to better focus on solving problems in ‘real life.’ Post-Formal Thought dictates that a person transitions from the clear decisions (black and white approach) of Formal Thought, to recognizing the areas of grey when facing problems. The three main characteristics of Post-Formal Thought are: 1. Relativism: Refers to the understanding that one’s personal perspective is only one of the many potentially valid views of reality. Knowledge is not fixed or absolute. 2. Acceptance of contradiction: Implies the understanding that reality embraces inconsistencies. A person can love someone and be angry with that person at the same time. 3. Integration: Integration is a deep and refined thought process. An individual gains the capacity to integrate and synthesize conflicting ideas or views into a more coherent whole. Integration advances an individual far beyond earlier stages, when an individual felt as if they had to choose between sides.

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