Young

Adulthood
HELLO AND WELCOME

This topic talks about

"Young Adulthood"
In this lesson you should be able
to understand young adulthood's
Physical Development

Cognitive Development

Psychosocial Development
 PHYSICAL DEVLOPMENT
This is known as maturation. Physically, you are in the “prime
of your life” as your reproductive system, motor ability,
strength, and lung capacity are operating at their best.
However, these systems will start a slow, gradual decline so
that by the time you reach your mid to late 30s, you will begin
to notice signs of aging.
 PHYSICAL DEVLOPMENT OF
YOUNG ADULTHOOD:
characteristic of
Maturation Pregnancy
physical maturity
Adults have reached their
Hormones change, and
peak level of physical Maximum physical
strength and their full strength and the levels of
height and weight by this stamina have been progesterone steadily
time. reached increase.
As the adult reaches the
Individuals have

end of this life stage,

grown to full height
stamina and strength start
to slowly decline. Women are at their

most fertile
 As young adults gain more experience,
Cognitive they think increasingly more in the abstract

Development and are able to understand different

perspectives and complexities.

In the adolescence module, we discussed

Piaget’s formal operational thought. The
hallmark of this type of thinking is the
ability to think abstractly or to consider
possibilities and ideas about circumstances
never directly experienced. Thinking
abstractly is only one characteristic of
adult thought.
 PIAGET’S THEORY OF
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development ended with formal operations, but it is
possible that other ways of thinking may develop after (or “post”) formal
operations in adulthood (even if this thinking does not constitute a separate
“stage” of development). Postformal thought is practical, realistic, and more
individualistic, but also characterized by understanding the complexities of
various perspectives. As a person approaches the late 30s, chances are they
make decisions out of necessity or because of prior experience and are less
influenced by what others think. Of course, this is particularly true in
individualistic cultures such as the United States. Postformal thought is often
described as more flexible, logical, willing to accept moral and intellectual
complexities, and dialectical than previous stages in development.
 PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
In this stage, the most important events are love relationships. Intimacy
refers to one's ability to relate to another human being on a deep, personal
level. An individual who has not developed a sense of identity usually will
fear a committed relationship and may retreat into isolation. It is important
to mention that having a sexual relationship does not indicate intimacy.
People can be sexually intimate without being committed and open with
another. True intimacy requires personal commitment. However, mutual
satisfaction will increase the closeness of people in a true intimate
relationship.
 NEGATIVE AND POSITVE
OUTCOMES
Elements for a
positive outcome
The young adult must
develop intimate
relationships with others.
Not resolving this conflict
leaves the young adult
feeling isolated. The
young adult must be
willing to be open and
committed to another
individual.
Elements for a Example
negative outcome
Giving and sharing
An individual may with an individual
retreat into isolation if without asking what
will be received in
a sense of identity is
notdeveloped and will return.
fear a committed
relationship.
Developmental Developmental Tasks of Early Adulthood Havighurst (1972)
Tasks of Early Describes some of the developmental tasks of young adults.
Adulthood These include:

Havighurst

Achieving autonomy: trying to establish oneself as an

(1972) independent person with a life of one’s own

Establishing identity: more firmly establishing likes, dislikes,

preferences, and philosophies

Developing emotional stability: becoming more stable

emotionally which is considered a sign of maturing

 Developmenta

Establishing a career: deciding on and pursuing a career or at least an

l Tasks of Early initial career direction and pursuing an education
Adulthood

Finding intimacy: forming first close, long-term relationships

Havighurst

(1972) Becoming part of a group or community: young adults may, for the first
time, become involved with various groups in the community. They may
begin voting or volunteering to be part of civic organizations (scouts,
church groups, etc.). This is especially true for those who participate in
organizations as parents.

Establishing a residence and learning how to manage a household:

learning how to budget and keep a home maintained.

Becoming a parent and rearing children: learning how to manage a

household with children. Making marital or relationship adjustments and
learning to parent.

 What is moral development in

young adulthood?
Lawrence Kohlberg argued that the age in which
moral reasoning or moral judgment becomes most
influential for moral action lies between adolescence
and adulthood (Kohlberg, 1984).

This is because individuals in that age range are more

capable of reaching a higher reasoning stage
(Kohlberg, 1984).

THE END