Life-span Development II

Adolescence
Adolescence

• ages 12 to 18,
during which many biological,
cognitive, social, and
personality traits change from
childlike to adult like.
 Physical and Sexual Development
• Internally puberty involves the development of the
primary sex characteristic
– such as the female’s uterus and the male’s testes

• Externally puberty involves the development of the

secondary sex characteristics
– such as changes in height, weight, and body shape,
appearance of body hair, voice changes, and in girls,
breast development
 Early versus Late Maturing
• Girls may encounter psychological
problems because they have not
yet acquired the adult personality

• Boys are found to be more

confident, socially responsible,
popular, and highly regarded by
their peers.
 Major Problems Facing Teenagers

• Self-Esteem and Body Image

• Internet and Game Addiction
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• Unplanned Pregnancy
• Juvenile Delinquency
 Different Styles of Parenting

1) The authoritarian parent

Attempts to control the behavior and attitudes of
the child, and favors punitive
 2) The authoritative parent
Attempts to direct the child’s activities but in
rational manner, and doesn’t hem the child in with
restrictions
 3) The permissive parent
Attempts to behave in a non-punitive, acceptant
and affirmative manner towards the child’s impulses,
desires, and actions.
Adulthood
 Adulthood
• The period in the human lifespan in which full
physical and intellectual maturity have been
attained.
• From about ages 20 to 40, cognitive skills remain
relatively stable.
• Between 40 and 80, there is a general slowing of
some cognitive processes.
 The “turning points”
• The “turning points” in adult lives most often relate
to the choices they made, such as getting married,
having children, changing jobs, or moving to a new
location.
 Stress in Work Place
• The most common sources of stress in the workplace
include forced career changes, lack of expected
progress, lack of challenging work, inadequate pay,
and conflicts with the boss or supervisor.

• Long-term job stress can eventually result in burnout,

a state of mental exhaustion characterized by
feelings of helplessness and loss of control
Older Adult
 Physical Development in Late Adulthood
• Energy reserves dwindle, cells decay and muscle
mass decreases.
• The immune system is no longer as capable as it
once
• Body systems and organs, such as the heart and
lungs, become less efficient.
 Physical Development in Late Adulthood
• The lenses of the eye discolor and become rigid.
• Hearing also diminishes.
• The elderly may develop suspiciousness or even a
mild form of paranoia in response to not being able
to hear well.
• Memory problem is in the short-term memory
rather than long-term memory.
 Psychological Development in Late Adulthood

- ego integrity (holding on to one’s sense of wholeness),

while avoiding despair (fearing there is too little time to
begin a new life course).

- In their quest to find life’s meaning, older adults often

have a vital need to share their reminisces with others
who care, especially family.
 Work and Retirement in Late Adulthood
• Older adults who are still working are typically
committed to their work, are productive, and rarely
change jobs.

• Many must contend with feelings of depression,

uselessness, and low self-esteem.
 The Stages of Dying and Death
• Elisabeth Kubler-Ross reported the results of interviews
that focused on psychosocial reactions in persons who
were dying.

• She developed a theoretical model of 5 stages in such

reactions; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and
acceptance.
Stage 1: Denial and isolation

• The first reaction to learning

of terminal illness or death of
a beloved one is to deny the
reality of the situation.
 Stage 2: Anger
• When the individual recognizes that denial cannot
continue, it becomes frustrated and angry.

• The anger may be aimed at inanimate objects,

strangers, friends or family.
Stage 3: Bargaining

• This stage involves the hope that

the individual can avoid a cause
of grief.

• We may make a deal with God or

our higher power in an attempt
to postpone the inevitable.
 Stage 4: Depression
• When bargaining fails, people experience depression
and hopelessness.
• 2 types of depression are associated with mourning.

• The first type>We worry that we have spent less time

with others .
• The second type >It is our quiet preparation to separate
and to bid our loved one farewell.
 Stage 5: Acceptance
• In last stage, individuals embrace mortality or
inevitable future

• Those dying learn to accept the inevitable

• comes with a calm, retrospective view for the

individual, and a stable condition of emotions.