Development Through the Lifespan



Development Through the Lifespan

Chapter 13

Physical and Cognitive

Development in

Early Adulthood

Theories of Biological Aging

DNA-Cellular Level

Programmed effects of specific genes

“Aging gene” & 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

Heart Disease Risk and Death

Peak Athletic Performance Ages

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

Ages of American Women

Giving Birth for First Time

Leading Causes of Death

in Early Adulthood

SES and Self-Reports of Health

Obesity Trends

in U.S. and Canada

Avoiding Obesity

Reduce Dietary Fat

30% of calories

10% saturated fat

Exercise

30 minutes moderate most days

Substance Use

in Early Adulthood

Cigarettes

25% of North Americans

Alcohol

13% North American men & 3% women are heavy drinkers

1/3 of heavy drinkers are alcoholics

Heterosexual Sexual Activity

in Early Adulthood

90% have intercourse by age 22

Most sex in the context of relationships

71% 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

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 low, but growing

Most well-educated; live in larger cities, college towns

Dangers of Sex

STDs

AIDS

Sexual Coercion

Rape

Abuse

Theories of Changes in Thinking in Early Adulthood

Piaget – postformal thought

Perry – relativistic thinking

Schaie – achieving stage

Labouvie-Vief – pragmatic thought

Schaie’s Stages of

Cognitive Development

Information Processing: Expertise

Acquisition of extensive knowledge in a field

Takes many years

Affects information processing

Affects creativity

Problem finding

10-year rule

Creativity usually rises

in early adulthood

Cohort Effects in

Mental Abilities

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

Unfortunately, 26–45% drop out

Factors Influencing

Vocational Choice

Personality

Family influences

Teachers

Gender stereotypes

Access to vocational information

Vocational Preparation of

Non College-Bound

20% U.S., 15% Canadian high school graduates do not continue.

Many have limited job options

Often poorly prepared, lack vocational training

Europe has model vocational training

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