Adulthood

Adulthood Early Adulthood – 20 – 35 years Middle Adulthood – 36 – 64 years Late Adulthood – 65 years and older

Early Adulthood Physical peak in the 20s – faster, stronger, better coordinated, more endurance Men focus on being independence, women on creating relationships with others

Physical Changes Physical decline is one of the first noticeable symptoms of aging. Decline in fertility. Menopause: The natural time in a woman's life when her menstrual cycles end. Happens around the age of 50 Men do not experience a cessation in fertility but the do experience a decline in sperm count. Middle Adulthood

The Last Developmental Problems You Will Face Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Last Developmental Problems You Will Face Some of the most obvious changes that occur with age affect physical abilities such as Vision Hearing Thinking, learning, and problem solving Memory Sexual functioning Social interaction Emotions 42

Late Adulthood Sensory Abilities Muscle strength, reaction times, stamina, vision, smell, and hearing decrease with age.

Cognitive Development Aging and Memory As we age our memory does decline. What we find is that recall (without cues…free response) is worse as we age than recognition (with cues…multiple choice).

Old Age: Alzheimer’s Disease The risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease also increases with age. Individuals who are in the early stages of this disease show more MRI activity in the brain than do normal individuals of the same age. Susan Bookheimer At risk Alzheimer Normal

Social Development As people enter their forties they enter middle adulthood and realize that their life has been mostly lived. Popular belief is that this stage this is troubling and may trigger a “mid- life crisis” or time of great struggle or regret. False! Not triggered by age but rather a major life event or change.

Social Development Major life events trigger transitions to new life stages, and psychologist use the term “social- clock” to discuss these stages. The social clock is the culturally preferred timing of social events, such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement. Changes from culture to culture and era to era

Social Development and Work Happiness stems from working in a job that fits your interests and provides you with a sense of competence and accomplishment. Charles Harbutt/ Actuality

Marriage and Divorce Marriage and Intimate Relationships Divorce Erickson  key task in young adulthood 75% over 18yrs married 27 men, 25 women Majority marry in same ethnicity, level of education, social class, and religion Divorce Reasons: high expectations, abuse, infidelity, economics

Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Denial Person feels the doctor made a mistake, doctors must have made a mistake Anger Person becomes resentful of and angry at those around him.

Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Bargaining Person tries to bargain (with doctors and God) for more time. Depression Person comes to grips that death is inevitable but feels cheated. Acceptance Person accepts death as part of life and quietly makes necessary plans.

ROBOT CHICKEN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Z3lmidmr Y&noredirect=1