1. Early Adulthood Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

2. How do we study adults versus children? Increases and improvements = children Losses of function and decline = adults. Physical aging – some examples.  Primary aging versus secondary aging.  Gerontological balance sheet – Alan Welford (1993).

3. Reproductive Capacity How does that change with aging? McFalls (1990) Issues Fertility issues with men

4. Immune System functioning Two key organs: thymus gland and bone marrow  Create 2 types of cells, B cells and T cells  T cells = internal threats  B cells = external threats  Changes in the thymus gland  Primary or secondary aging?

5. Widowed adults Problems with immune system functioning Chronic stress

6. Normal aging or cumulative stress? Immune system Physical health and disease Chronic problems The role of education Social class differences: James et. al. (1992)

7. Differences in mental health rates New roles Cognitive functioning IQ issue: Werner Schaie and the Seattle Longitudinal Study (1996) Cattell and Horn’s:  Crystallized intelligence  Fluid intelligence  Memory functioning

8. Depression Women versus Men Rotter: differences between internal and external locus of control orientations Martin Seligman: Learned Helplessness theory Learned Optimism

9. Sense of control and health Study: Judith Rodin and Ellen Langer (1977): mortality rates of nursing home residents.

10. Erik Erikson: finding a partner The importance of intimacy South (1991) 2000 unmarried adults. What are they looking for? The role of attachment.  Cindy Hazan and Philip Shaver (1987)  Sample of 600 adults  secure / avoidant / anxious or ambivalent

11. Love Sternberg (1987)  Intimacy  Passion  commitment

12. Marriage Ted Huston (1994)  168 couples in their first marriage  What changes in marriage?  What makes a good marriage?  The role of conflict  Should we live together first? Research on cohabitation. Bumpass et. al.  Homosexual partnerships.