1. 19 - Emerging Adulthood Psychosocial Development
Ages

3. Continuity and Change

4. Identity
Still seeking who they are

5. Erikson
Intimacy vs. Isolation
6th. Stage

6. Identity
Ethnic identity
Vocational identity

7. Intimacy

8. Intimacy Intimacy and friendships defend against stress
Intimacy progresses from attraction – close connection – commitment
Several paths to intimacy, not just marriage and parenthood

9. Gender influence on intimacy
Men = Share activities and interests
Not failures and emotional problems
Women = Share secrets, weaknesses & problems
Expect sympathy

10. Romantic partners Arranged marriages
“What does love have to do with it?”
Adolescents ask for parent’s permission
Live together & marry when they are able
Western cultures

11. The dimensions of love - Sternberg’s triangular concept of love
Passion
Sex & intense emotions
Intimacy
Knowing someone well
Sharing secrets
Commitment
Grows gradually
Decisions to be together
Mutual care
Kept secrets
Forgiveness

12. Relationship Patterns

13. Hookups without commitment
Sexual encounter without intimacy nor commitment
Less likely if a serious relationship is desired
Prefer to get to know them first

14. Cohabitation
Most young adults (in U.S., England, & Europe) cohabit rather than marry before age 25
Half plan to marry
More likely to fight & end the relationship than marrieds
Cohabitation does not prevent marriage problems
Cohabitation = increased chance of later divorce

15. What makes relationships succeed?

16. Changes in marriage patterns
Most adults are not married
Fewer adults are married and more are divorced
Divorce rate = half of marriage rate
Multiple divorces & remarriages skew the statistics
In the U.S. only one first marriage in three – not one in two – ends in divorce

17. Factors leading to improvement in relationships
Good communication
Financial security
End of addiction or illness

18. Children
Children are an added stress
Particularly during adolescence

19. Similarities and differences
Homogamy
Like marries like
Similar: Age, Race, Ethnicity, SES, Religion, Education, Attitudes
Social homogamy
Similar leisure interests & role preferences
E.g. Reading a book at home, vs. wanting to go out and party
Heterogamy
Dissimilar attributes

20. Conflict

21. Learning to listen Demand withdraw interaction
Women – Want to talk (demanding)
Men – Don’t want to talk (withdraw)

22. Intimate partner violence
Emerging adults experience more violence than over 25 years old
Alcohol and drugs increase severity of violence

23. Types of intimate partner violence
Situational couple violence
Based more on the situation than personality
E.g. No money, job stress
Intimate terrorism
Physical, sexual, psychological abuse
Victim too scared to fight back, seek help, or withdraw
Get out of the house to a safe place

24. Emerging adults and their parents
Linked lives
Each family member linked to others
Dependent on others for success, health and well-being
Many 18 – 25 year olds still live at home
Parents encourage young adults to become independent
Many family relationships improve when young adults leave home
Financial support
Parents helping adult children
Tuition, medical care, food, etc.