Adolescence and Adulthood Chapter 11

1. Adolescence and AdulthoodChapter 11

2. Adolescence • Adolescence is the period extending from the onset of puberty to early adulthood between ages 12 and 20 • Puberty is the time when the reproductive system matures

3. Adolescence is often referred to as a time of “storm and stress” Most adolescents experience healthy social and emotional development Adolescence

4. Physical Development • Puberty is the average age at which reproductive systems mature • Girls enter puberty about two years before boys • Preceded by growth spurts • Hormones trigger development of secondary sexual characteristics, physical features that differentiate the sexes

5. Physical Development • Some early-maturers are at a disadvantage as they are seen as outsiders by peers • Such differences have few long-term consequences • The stress of early or late maturation may help teens become adept at coping

6. Cognitive Development • Most adolescents are in Piaget’s “formal operational stage” and can think abstractly and form hypotheses • Imaginary audience is a cognitive distortion in which adolescents see themselves “on stage” • Personal fable is a cognitive distortion in which adolescents believe they are so special that others cannot understand them

7. Emotional and Social Development • Early patterns of adjustment manifest themselves as years passed • Parents and peers are important influences on self-esteem and personality • Adolescents’ attitudes fall somewhere between those of their parents and peers

8. The Search for Gender Identity • Gender identity is a person’s sense of being male or female • During adolescence, gender intensification may take place • This is becoming extreme in one’s orientation toward maleness and femaleness

9. Gender Schema Theory • Gender schema theory asserts children and adolescents use their sex as an organizing theme to classify and interpret perceptions • Children develop shorthand concepts of what boys and girls are like • Adolescent self-esteem is tied to these gender-based perceptions

10. Figure 11.1 Gender Schema Theory

11. Gender Identity • In recent years, many men and women have adopted androgynous behaviours that represent a blend of stereotypically male and female characteristics • But we still live in a gendered society

12. Friendship • Children and adolescents who have friends tend to be more socially competent • Friendship sets the stage for adult intimacy • When friendships fall apart, a child’s self-confidence is undermined

13. In adulthood, friendships between women differ from those between men In adulthood, women talk about family, personal matters, and doubts and fears more than men Men talk about sports and work more Women find friendships more satisfying Friendship

14. Sexual Behaviour in Adolescence • Adolescents view sexual intimacy as an important and normal part of growing up • Adolescents are having sexual experiences at younger ages

15. Adulthood Physical Changes • From 30 to 40 there is some loss of agility and speed • Between 40 and 60, there is even greater loss • In general, overall fitness deteriorates gradually from age 30 on

16. Sensory Changes • In early adulthood, most sensory abilities remain stable • Eventually, adults must contend with almost inevitable sensory loss

17. Sexual Changes • Sexual desires are sometimes moderated by the stresses of raising a family and other work • For women, menopause occurs around age 50 • At about the same age, men’s testosterone levels decrease

18. Theories of Aging: Heredity • One heredity theory of aging is based on the study of apoptosis, the process by which cells kill themselves • Telomeres are end segments of DNA • Cells grow older each time they divide because the telomeres shorten • Cessation of telomere division may be a possible explanation of aging

19. Theories of Aging: External Factors • Lifestyle factors affect how long a person will live • It is reasonable to assume external factors such as disease, smoking, and obesity may affect a person’s lifespan

20. Theories of Aging: Physiology • Physiological theories rely on both hereditary and environmental factors • Wear-and-Tear theory assumes the body simply wears-out from overuse • Homeostatic theory assumes the body’s ability to adjust to stress decreases with age

21. Social Changes: Erikson • Stage 5 of Erikson’s theory is identity vs. role confusion • Growth and turmoil of adolescence creates an “identity crisis” • Crisis is resolved by forming an identity • Failure to form an identity leads to confusion about adult roles

22. Stage 6 is intimacy vs. isolation Young adults must commit to lasting intimate and caring relationships The alternative is isolation Social Changes: Erikson

23. The crisis in stage 7 revolves around generativity vs. stagnation In stage 7, people become aware of their mortality They hope to convey information, love, and security to the next generation Failure leads to stagnation and self-absorption Social Changes: Erikson

24. In stage 8, ego integrity vs. despair, the person assesses whether existence is meaningful and happy, or wasteful and unproductive The answer leads to fulfillment or regret Social Changes: Erikson

25. Levinson’s Life Structures • Levinson divides life into four stages he calls “eras:” adolescence; early adulthood; middle adulthood; and late adulthood • During adolescence (age 4 – 17) people enter the adult world, but are still immature and vulnerable

26. During early adulthood (18 – 45) the first major life choices are made At the end of early adulthood, a midlife crisis occurs caused by the realization that one’s life is half over Levinson’s Life Structures

27. The third era is middle adulthood (ages 46 to 65) By this point in life, career and family are well established People feel satisfaction and self-worth, or sense much of life has been wasted Levinson’s Life Structures

28. The final era is late adulthood (age 65 on) Many people relax, enjoying the fruits of their labor Children and grandchildren become the focus of attention Levinson’s Life Structures

29. Cognitive Changes • Up to age 65, there is little decline in learning or memory • Some age-related cognitive decrements do occur, especially after 65

30. Late Adulthood: Growing Older • About 13% of the Canadian population is 65 years of age or older • The proportion of elderly is expected to increase 18% by year 2021

31. Figure 11.2 A Nation Growing Older

32. Myths, Realities, Stereotypes • Many elderly people are as competent and capable as they were in their earlier years • How engaged the older adult becomes in life is a key factor in how well they will adapt

33. Ageism • Ageism is prejudice against the elderly, and the discrimination it leads to • People seen through positive stereotypes are less likely to suffer discrimination

34. Health in Late Adulthood • Many elderly lead healthy lives • However, aging adults face many possible health changes • Dementias are progressive impairment of mental functioning

35. Reversible dementias can be caused by malnutrition, alcoholism, and toxins, and usually affect younger people Multiple infarct dementia, usually caused by one or two small strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease are forms of irreversible dementia Health in Late Adulthood

36. Alzheimer’s disease involves memory loss, language deterioration, poor visual/spatial skills, and an indifferent attitude Health in Late Adulthood

37. Death and Dying • People’s overall health deteriorates with age • Some individuals experience the terminal drop, rapid drop in intellectual functioning the year before death • Thanatology is the study of the psychological and medical aspects of death and dying