Download Development Through the Lifespan

Physical and Cognitive
Development in
Early Adulthood
Emerging Adulthood
 Slower than in past to reach milestones
of adulthood
 Prolonged identity
development
 More education
 Later career entry
 Less available for low
SES
Theories of Biological Aging
DNA-Cellular Level
 Programmed effects of
specific genes
 “Aging genes”
 Tolomere shortening
 Random Events
 Mutations and cancer
 Free radicals
Organ and Tissue
Level
 Cross-linkage theory
 Gradual failure of
endocrine system
 Declines in immune
system
Cardiovascular & Respiratory
Changes
 Heart
 Few resting changes, lower performance under stress
 Hypertension, atherosclerosis
 Diseases declining - better lifestyle
 Lungs
 Maximum vital capacity declines
after 25
 Stiffness makes breathing harder
with age
Aging and Athletic Performance
Motor Performance in Adulthood
 Athletic skills peak between 20 and 35
 Decline gradually until 60s or 70s, then faster
 Continued training
slows loss
 Keep more vital capacity,
muscle, response speed
The Immune System
in Early Adulthood
Declines after age 20:
 Fewer T cells from shrinking thymus
 B cells don’t work as well without T cells
 Stress weakens immune response
Rate of First Births to Women by Age
Leading Causes of Death
in Early Adulthood
SES and Self-Reports of Health
Causes of Overweight
 Heredity
 Environmental pressures
 Cheap fat and sugar
 Supersize portions
 Busy lives
 Snacks
 Take-out
 Lack of exercise
Consequences of Overweight
 Health Problems





Blood pressure, heart
Diabetes
Liver, gallbladder
Arthritis
Sleep, digestive
 Social discrimination
 Housing
 Education, careers
 Mistreatment
Treating Obesity





Diet and exercise
Eating records
Social support
Problem-solving skills
Extended intervention
Dietary Fat
 Saturated Fat
 From meat and dairy
 Solid at room temperature
 No more than 10% of daily calories
 Unsaturated
 Liquid vegetable oils
 Total fat
 30% or less of daily calories
Variations in Dietary Fat and High
Blood Pressure Among Black Africans
Exercise
 Only one third get enough
 At least 30 minutes moderate five or
more days a week
 More often, more vigorous is better
 Around one third of North
Americans are inactive
 Women
 Low SES
Benefits of Exercise
 Reduces fat, builds muscle
 Boosts immune system,
prevents some diseases
 Cardiovascular benefits
 Mental health benefits
 Stress reduction
 Self-esteem
 Longer life
Substance Use
in Early Adulthood
 Peaks from 19-22 years, then declines
 But up to 20% ages 21-25 are substance abusers
 Cigarettes, chewing tobacco
 Alcohol
 Binge drinking
 Drugs
 Marijuana
 Stimulants
 Prescription drugs
 Party drugs
Cigarette Smoking
 25% of Americans, 19% of Canadians
 Numbers slowly declining
 Less with higher education, but many college students
smoke
 More women smoking
 Most smokers start before age 21
 Deadly health risks
 Hard to quit
 Most in treatment programs restart
Alcohol Abuse
in Early Adulthood
 13% of men, 3% of women heavy drinkers
 About 1/3 of these alcoholics
 Genetic, cultural factors in alcoholism
 Causes mental, physical
problems
 High social costs
 Treatment is difficult
 Half relapse in months
Heterosexual Sexual Activity
in Early Adulthood
 90% have intercourse by age 22
 Most sex in the context of relationships
 70% only 1 partner in past year
 Partners similar to each other
 Sex infrequent
 Only 1/3 twice a week or more
 More often in 20s, declines with age
 Most are satisfied
 Over 80% of those in relationships
 Minority report problems
Sex Difference
in Sexual Attitudes
 Women more opposed to casual sex
 More men looking for play and
pleasure
 Men more upset by sexual
infidelity; women by emotional
 Lifetime number of partners similar
for men and women
 Attitudes grow more similar with age
Homosexuality and Bisexuality
in Early Adulthood
 2.8% of men, 1.4% of women
 Estimated 30% same-sex couples do not report
 Similar behavior to heterosexuals
 Public acceptance growing
 Majority say it’s “OK,” support
civil liberties, job opportunities
 Most well-educated; live in
larger cities, college towns
Dangers of Sex
 STDs
 AIDS
 Sexual Coercion
 Rape
 Abuse
Factors Related to
Sexual Coercion
Perpetrator Characteristics
 Believe traditional gender
roles
 Approve violence against
women; accept rape myths
 Perceive behavior inaccurately
 History of own abuse,
promiscuity
 Alcohol abuse
Cultural Forces
 Men taught dominance,
competition, aggression
 Women submission
 Acceptance of violence
 Aggressive pornography
Consequences
of Rape and Sexual Abuse
 Trauma response
 Immediate shock
 Long-term problems
 Depression




Physical injury
STDs
General ill health
Negative behaviors
Preventing and Treating
Rape and Abuse
 Community services
 Underfunded
 Few for men
 Routine screening
 Validation of
experience
 Safety planning
Stress
 Related to
 Illness
 Unhealthy behavior
 Caused or worsened by
 Low SES
 Challenges of early adulthood
Fostering a Healthy Adult Life
 Healthy eating
 Maintain reasonable weight





Keep fit
Control alcohol
No smoking
Responsible sex
Manage stress
The College Experience
 Formative, influential “developmental testing
ground”
 Exposure to new ideas, beliefs,
demands leads to cognitive
growth, new thinking patterns
 Relativistic thinking
 Increased self-understanding
 Depends on participation in
campus life
Dropping Out of College
 30-50% drop out
 Personal factors
 Preparation, motivation, skills
 Financial problems, low SES
 Institutional factors
 Little help, community
 Cultural disrespect
Periods of
Vocational Development
 Fantasy period
 Tentative period
 Realistic period
 Exploration
 Crystallization
Factors Influencing
Vocational Choice





Personality
Family influences
Teachers
Gender stereotypes
Access to vocational
information
Personality Types and Vocational
Choice






Investigative
Social
Realistic
Artistic
Conventional
Enterprising
Vocational Preparation
of Non College-Bound
North American high-school graduates poorly
prepared to work
 Lack vocational placement, counseling
 Fewer opportunities than in past
 Limited jobs
 Work-study, apprenticeships
can help
 Rare in North America
 Europe has model systems