Social-emotional Dev in Early Adulthood

Two Announcement Psych Club- Thursday 6-8pm, Howarth 005 Psychology department colloquium –Friday, 2:30-3:30, Howarth 011

Erikson Intimacy vs Isolation –Thoughts and feelings about permanent commitment to an intimate partner –Without a sense of independence Self-defined in terms of partner; decreased self-respect and initiative –Without intimacy, face loneliness and self- absorption –Intimacy enhances quality of other relationships –Successful resolution of conflict prepares for Generativity- caring for next generation and improving society

Levinson’s Seasons of Life Sequence of “eras” Eras begin with a transition (about 5 years) –Concludes previous era and prepares for the next Between transitions people are in stable periods concentrating on building life structure –LS- underlying pattern or design of a person’s life at a given time- typically a person’s relationships with significant others- individuals, groups, institutions Structure –building takes 5 to 7 years

Levinson’s Seasons of Life Dreams and Mentors –Most young adults construct a dream, an image of the self in the adult world that helps guide their decision making For men, dream usually emphasizes an independent achiever in an occupational role Most career-oriented women display “split dreams” in which both marriage and career are prominent Mentors foster advancement in the workplace After 30 transition –Reevaluate life structure, change inadequacies –Men rarely reverse career-family priority Women sometimes do –Unsatisfaction with either one can result in transitional crisis

Levinson’s Seasons of Life Settling down for men, continued instability for women –33-40 years Men anchor themselves more firmly in family, occupation, and community Does not describe majority of women. Why not? This “stability” often does not come until middle adulthood for women

Levinson’s Seasons of Life Criticisms of Levinson’s theory –Conclusions based on people in the 1920s to 40s –Few non-college educated, low SES adults. Low SES women almost entirely uninvestigated –Participants might not have accurately remembered all aspects of early adult lives

The Social Clock Age-graded expectations for life events Women born in the 1930s followed at 27 yrs and 43 years –Those starting families earlier (in mid 20s or earlier) became more responsible, self-controlled, tolerant, and nurturant, but declined in self-esteem, and felt more vulnerable as life progressed –Those who followed career timetable typical for men became more dominant, sociable, independent, and intellectually effective –Women who had neither by 30 suffered from self-doubt, feelings of incompetence and loneliness –Problem with current societal expectations?

Loneliness The unhappiness that results from a gap between the social relationships we currently have and those we desire May occur if one lacks an intimate partner or gratifying relationships with others Peaks during late teens and early twenties, declines steadily into the seventies If persistent, associated with a wide array of self-defeating attitudes and behaviors