Adulthood: A Time of Change and

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Adulthood A Time of Change and Sameness

• Chapter 5 Sec 1

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Physical Changes

• 18-30 yrs oldpeak of physical fitness.
• Middle ages physical changes
• Health problems
• Menopause
• Marriage and Divorce
• Sexual Behavior may change (really mostly
  psychological)

3
Cognitive Stages

• Speed and reaction time declines after the 20s,
  but intelligence DOES NOT.
• Actually improves with age if the individual
  lives a stimulating life.

4
Social and Personality Changes

• Adults must also cope with stress, so they dont
  stop developing.
• A.) Male Development Daniel Levinson
• Important periods at 30, 40, 50, 60.
• 1. Entering the Adult World (22-28)
• Still growing up, between exploring and
  settling down.
• 2. The Age Thirty Crisis (28-30)
• Major transition- start to question past choices
  and dwell on future.

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Male development continued

• 3. Settling Down (36-40)
• Has made choices (career, family).
• Making it in the adult world, becomes his own
  man.
• 4. The Midlife Transition (40-45)
• Will question what he has done.
• Can lead to generativity (wants to pass his
  wisdom on to new generation) or stagnation (holds
  on to his youth, refuses to grow up).

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Male development continued

• 5. Middle development (Late 40s)
• If he can satisfactorily solve his lifes
  problems, he will have a sense of balance.
• Or he can have a mid-life crisis- feels bitter
  about his life and his future.

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Female Social Development

• Not as prone to the midlife crisis- why?
• But they too are susceptible to a crisis
• A.) Empty Nest Syndrome- can be happy or sad.
  Status of marriage is a deciding factor.
• B.) Depression in midlife- can come from a sense
  of loss.
• May feel worthless.
• Women need to have a way to focus attention on
  themselves.