Chapter 13: Physical & Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood 1

“genetic programming” theory proposes the existence of “aging genes”

telomeres - a special type of DNA located at the ends of chromosomes, serving as a “cap” to protect the
ends from destruction, shorten after each duplication
- acts as a brake against somatic mutations (involved in cancer)
- increase in senescent cells (short telomeres cells) contribute to age-related diseases
- telomerase - enzyme that prevents shortening and can even reverse the trend, protecting aging
cells
- shortening predicts more rapid disease progression and earlier death

“random events” theory, DNA is gradually damaged through spontaneous or externally caused mutations.
Cell repair and replacement become less efficient, abnormal cells are produced
- animal studies confirm an increase in DNA breaks

free radicals - naturally occurring, highly reactive chemicals that form in the presence of oxygen which
destroy nearby cellular material
- not a major contributor to DNA mutations
- for some species, it is associated with longer life

cross-linkage theory of aging - protein fibers that make the body’s connective tissue separate and become
less elastic causing loss of flexibility, clouding of lens of the eye, arteries clogging, and damage to the
kidneys

gradual failure of the endocrine system

- decreased estrogen production in women - menopause
- gradual drop in growth hormone (GH) → loss of muscle and bone mass

atherosclerosis - heavy deposits of plaque containing cholesterol and fats collect on the main arteries’
walls

two types of white blood cells:

1. T cells - originate from bone marrow, mature in the thymus, attack antigens directly
2. B cells - manufactured in the bone marrow, secrete antibodies into the bloodstream, capture
antigens, permit the blood system to destroy them
thymus shrinks reducing thymic hormones, immune response compromises further

basal metabolic rate (BMR) - the amount of energy the body uses at complete rest, gradually declines as
the number of active muscle cells drop off

postformal thought: cognitive development beyond Piaget’s formal operational stage

epistemic cognition: “of or about knowledge”, refers to our reflections on how we arrived at facts, beliefs,
and ideas
dualistic thinking: dividing information, values, and authority into right and wrong
- accepting what they are give
relativistic thinking: viewing all knowledge as embedded in a framework of thought (not absolute)
Chapter 13: Physical & Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood 2

commitment within relativistic thinking - formulating a more personally satisfying perspective that
synthesizes contradictions
pragmatic thought - a structural advance in which logic becomes a tool for solving real-world problems
cognitive-affective complexity - awareness of conflicting positive and negative feelings and coordination
of them into a complex structure that recognizes the uniqueness of individual experiences

expertise - acquisition of extensive knowledge in a field

selecting a vocation
1. fantasy period - early/middle childhood, fantasizing about them, their preferences, guided by
familiarity, glamour and excitement
2. tentative period - between 11-16, at first in terms of interests, abilities and values
a. “I like science and the process of discovery.”
3. realistic period - late teens and early twenties, the economic and practical realities of adulthood,
further exploration - gathering more information
a. crystallization - they focus on a general vocational category and experiment for a time
before settling on a single occupation

factors influencing vocational choice

A. Personality
a. occupations that complement their personalities
b. John Holland’s six personality types - investigative, social, realistic, artistic,
conventional, and enterprising
B. Family Influences
a. vocational aspirations correlate strongly with their parents’ jobs
C. Teachers
a. teachers influence their educational aspirations and career choice
D. Gender stereotypes