Psyc 222 Developmental Psychology II

1. Psyc 222 Developmental Psychology II Unit 3: EARLY ADULTHOOD Physical and Cognitive Development Dean Owen, Ph.D., LPCC Spring 2011

2. Physical Development in Childhood and Adolescence included: • Increases in body size • Increases in muscular strength • Motor coordination improves • Sensory systems become fine tuned. • Body systems have reached their peak in terms of size, capacity and efficiency. Welcome to early Adulthood…the peak of physical development…now SENESCENCE, or biological aging will begin…slowly at first…then more rapidly….

3. Senescence Many theories have been proposed to explain the aging process Aging at the Biochemical and Cellular Level 1. Genetically Programmed Aging 2. Aging as the result of “aging genes”…Telomere shortening 3. Random Events Theory: Accumulation of random mutations 4. The Effects of Free Radicals (a byproduct of oxidation within the cell)

4. Senescence Many theories have been proposed to explain the aging process Aging at the Level of Tissues and Organs 1. Cross Linkage (Elastic-Collagen…protein structures found in the cells of animals) 2. Gradual failure of the endocrine system 3. Declines in the functioning of the immune system

5. Physical Changes • Cardiovascular system • Hypertension • Atherosclerosis • Causes: Diet / Smoking

6. Physical Changes Motor performance

7. Physical Changes • Immune system • T-Cells (Bone Marrow and mature in the thymus) • B-Cells (Bone Marrow then into bloodstream) • Immune system begins a slow decline after 20… • Thymus begins to wither… • Psychological Stress is another and very significant factor….

8. Physical Changes

9. Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Scale (1967) Holmes TH, Rahe RH (1967). "The Social Readjustment Rating Scale". J Psychosomatic Research11 (2): 213–8. Rahe RH, Arthur RJ (1978). "Life change and illness studies: past history and future directions". J Human Stress,4 (1): 3–15. Rahe RH, Mahan JL, Arthur RJ (1970). "Prediction of near-future health change from subjects' preceding life changes". J Psychosomatic Research,14 (4):401–6. Rahe RH, Biersner RJ, Ryman DH, Arthur RJ (1972). Psychosocial predictors of illness and failure in stressful training. J Health Soc Behav13 (4): 393–7. Komaroff AL, Masuda M, Holmes TH (1968). "The social readjustment rating scale: a comparative study of Negro, Mexican and white Americans". J Psychosom Res12 (2): 121–8. Masuda M, Holmes TH (1967). "The Social Readjustment Rating Scale: a cross- cultural study of Japanese and Americans". J Psychosom Res11 (2): 227–37. Woon, T.H.; Masuda, M.; Wagner, N.N.; Holmes, T.H. (1971). The Social Readjustment Rating Scale: A cross-Cultural study of Malasians and Americans. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology2 (4): 373.

10. Physical Changes • Reproductive capacity • Age Reproductive Difficulties • 15-29 8% • 30-34 14% • 35-44 18% • Rapid decline in fertility following….

11. Health and Fitness Nutrition Exercise Substance Abuse Ethanol (Alcohol) & cigarette smoking) Sexual Behavior Orientation Sexually transmitted diseases Sexual Coercion Risk taking behaviors Psychological Stress

12. Health and Fitness WELL-STAR Wellness: Arising from the concepts of “positive psychology” the term refers to a constellation of attitudes and behaviors that are associated with optimal health and fitness.

13. Health and Fitness Wellness Dimensions Social Wellness Occupational Wellness Spiritual Wellness Physical Wellness Intellectual Wellness Emotional Wellness Mental Wellness Medical Wellness

14. Health and Fitness Well-Star Represents a brief and easily used self-assessment and planning tool for use by psychologists and counselors. The tool assess a variety of wellness related dimensions including: Physical Health Emotional Health Social Health Intellectual/Occupational Health Spiritual Health

15. Questions or comments ??