Developmental Psychology

stages of adulthood. This also happens when individuals feel as if they had to choose between one side and the other. Dialectal thought is defined as the ability to weigh and understand the pros and the cons of the possibilities of a certain situation. Dialectal thought usually involves the continuous thought of integration, or the formation of beliefs, the formation of antithesis, as well as the creative synthesis to conjoin al of the components that make up a situation to come up with a conclusion. Some believe that components of cognitive growth during early adulthood, is caused by the enrollment in post-secondary educational institutions, or better known as higher education . Through the recent years, it is said that gender ratios have flipped and that there are approximately 55% of college students who are female. Also, in recent years, enrollment statistics show that there is also an increase of Hispanic enrollment. Some of the other races that have increased in enrollment rates are African-Americans, Asiatic, and several other races. Statistics show that approximately 20% of U.S. residents have at least a bachelor’s degree. Higher education is more than just education through academic materials. It encourages people to flex their thinking, learn tolerance, and to have individuals gain control over their lives. Certain skills will increase in develop regardless of the type/form of higher education. Skills such as verbal skills, reading skills, math and even critical thinking all will increase and develop. Life events occur and have been known to help an individual become more mature in a cognitive nature. Maturity develops a lot of the time after parenthood begins. There are other life events that may trigger cognitive development. Other events include, religious experiences, gaining employment, starting a new relationship, which all encourage individualistic maturation. It is said that no matter the event that happens in life, the common thing that occurs is that individuals are forced in a way to look at their new life in a new perspective, which again will promote maturation. 8.4 Psychosocial Development in Early Adulthood Two foundational themes drive adult development, making individuals feel as if they need to be connected to other human beings, as well as the feel of independence. There is an emotional need to be able to support themselves, as well as support others. It was Maslow that proposed the idea that there was an individual need to belong, as well as an individual need to feel loved. These are the primary forces that are behind psychosocial development. Erik Erikson said that young adults are usually in the Intimacy versus Isolation Stage . During this stage, adults are able to seek other individuals and to share their lives with them either with or without a commitment. Some may fear and unfortunately experience isolation. Some individuals believe that intimacy is just referring to sexual encounters, but this is not the case, as there can be intimacy between partners in a general sense. For examples, individual’s development friendships, romantic partners, husbands, wives, or parental friendships. Another view of this was proposed by Daniel Levinson . Not focusing on crisis, but the transition between one role to another, and the expectations that come with each role. Usually during the ages of 17 and 22, the adult transition is adolescents leaving their family home, and beginning to make their own, adult decisions. Some

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