INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT Early Adulthood Age 20-39

Becoming an Adult Although 18 year olds can vote and are treated as adults in a court of law, this stage is actually the transitional stage into adulthood. For many people, the definition of adulthood does not happen until they reach certain roles and responsibilities in their life. Here are some of the roles that will be fulfilled: completing an education, starting a career, living on their own, marrying, or having children. There comes a time when young adults must claim responsibility for their own well-being.

Transitioning from High School Options include getting a job, trade school, college, military, etc. It is a time that young adults are still developing their interests and abilities. It might be a time for experimentation. Adjustments can be difficult as young adults learn to adapt to new living situations and environments.

Living Situations In some cultures, leaving one’s home marks independence and the beginning of adulthood. This may include a college dorm, renting an apartment, buying a house, having a roommate. The idea of living on one’s own is exciting, but then reality sits in of having to pay bills, do laundry, clean, and everything else. It becomes a major transitional period.

Career Paths It is okay to start college with an undecided major. Look at the big picture in deciding whether or not you want a family someday and think about how your career will mix. Get experience in your field to see if you will like it. Think about what will make you happy 

Signs of Intellectual Change Fluid Intelligence- the ability to reason abstractly is at it’s peak. Ex- calculating a mathematical problem with speed. Crystallized intelligence- this includes judgment, knowledge, and skills needed in life and work. Young adults learn these through education and experience. Many inventions, social movements, and new ways of approaching life have come from young adults.

Theories Piaget: Formal operational- abstract thinking and complex problem solving Many researchers say that much cognitive development has after adolescence= Post formal stage Kohlberg: Post conventional morality- start to care about the local community, environment, and society. Values and ethics become factors in making decisions, especially for those impacting many people

Brain Development When a teen enters their 20’s, their brain does not suddenly change, the change happens gradually. The prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotions and impulse control, is not fully developed until age 26. After this age, young adults rely less on their emotions in their cognitive reasoning. They are able to solve complex problems more quickly and realistically.

Language Development Teens are big into texting and informal social discussions. Young adults engage in more formal types of communication. Professional conversations and preparing documents and sending messages in the workplace become very important. Formal writing, resumes, emails, analysis, reports