Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

Chapter 8: Early Adulthood

Overview: This chapter will delve into the physical, cognitive, and social development of early adulthood. During this life stage, conflicts and concerns differ from the previous stages. In addition, key developmental milestones and challenges individuals face and overcome during this age are explored. Objectives: By the end of this chapter you should be able to recognize, understand, and explain: • Stages of physical change during early adulthood • Sexual reproductive systems and infertility issues • Post-Formal and dialectal thought process, the influence of education, and the impact of life events on cognitive development • Concepts of intimacy, friendship, cohabitation, marriage, divorce, and parenthood • Different theoretical perspectives of early adulthood psychosocial development • Importance if work including work patterns, workplace diversity, and dual-income families Physical Development and Changes: Early adulthood begins at approximately twenty years of age and lasts until approximately forty years of age. Early adulthood is often considered the ‘prime of life’ because physical performance is at its peak and if regular physical activity is maintained, there are few noticeable signs of aging during this stage. Between the ages of fifteen and thirty, growth ceases, and senescence begins. Senescence is a period of physical decline, loss of strength, and loss of efficiency. Despite the variation of the aging process, there is a commonality all individuals share: the human body does not function the same way at forty years of age, as it did at twenty years of age. By the age of twenty, growth spurts and hormones start to calm down. Height increases begin to cease, while muscle growth and adipose (fat) stores continue to increase. Digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems are functioning at their optimal level during this age range. Health problems are usually rare. The main function of physicians during this stage is to treat sports injuries and pregnancy. Death is caused by accidents more often than anything else.

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