Chapter Ten: Becoming an Adult

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Questions and Answers

What is a significant task that adults face according to Erikson's sixth stage?

Choosing a career path

Establishing intimacy (correct)

Achieving financial independence

Developing parenting skills

In relation to identity and intimacy, how do men and career-oriented women typically differ?

They find intimacy less important than career

They deal with both simultaneously

They prioritize intimacy before identity

They resolve identity issues before intimacy issues (correct)

What is a characteristic of a quarter-life crisis?

A state of financial security

Feeling unable to enter adult roles (correct)

A sense of clarity about adult roles

Absence of career-related concerns

What generally happens to physical abilities during young adulthood?

They peak and begin to decline later Signup and view all the answers

What is the leading cause of death for young adults in their early 20s?

Accidents Signup and view all the answers

How much more likely are young adult men aged 25-34 to die compared to women of the same age?

2.5 times more likely Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a potent teratogen that contributes to health problems?

Nicotine Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke, increasing their risk for diseases?

Over 40% Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes binge drinking for men?

Drinking 5 or more drinks in a row Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cholesterol is beneficial for keeping arteries clear?

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT identified as one of the three most important social factors in health?

Occupation Signup and view all the answers

What is a major health risk associated with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25?

Increased health risks Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of excessive long-term drinking on brain health?

Depletion or increase of important neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended LDL cholesterol level for optimal heart health?

Less than 160 mg/dL Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Alcohol Use Disorder?

Physical dependence on alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the impact of socioeconomic status on health?

Being poor is a major predictor of health challenges. Signup and view all the answers

What is emerging adulthood defined as?

A transition period between adolescence and adulthood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a role transition marking adulthood?

Beginning full-time employment Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of rites of passage in various cultures?

To mark the initiation into adulthood Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is true about the prefrontal cortex in young adults?

It continues to develop until the mid-20s Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of high school graduates are reported to go to college according to the information?

Nearly 70% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major driver of the changes in college demographics?

Increased number of adult learners Signup and view all the answers

How do role transitions differ in Western cultures compared to non-Western cultures?

Western transitions may lack ritualistic elements Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive ability is more developed in young adults compared to adolescents?

Higher level reasoning and perspective-taking Signup and view all the answers

Which dimension refers to the variability of change patterns among individuals?

Interindividual variability Signup and view all the answers

What identifies the relationship between performance on different tests as a common ability?

Factor analysis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary mental ability?

Emotional recognition Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of fluid intelligence throughout adulthood?

Declines Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of emotional intelligence involves understanding and differentiating emotions?

Emotional recognition Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes crystallized intelligence?

Improvement throughout adulthood Signup and view all the answers

Which secondary mental ability is related to being a flexible and adaptive thinker?

Fluid intelligence Signup and view all the answers

How does emotional intelligence typically change with age?

It increases Signup and view all the answers

How does perceived control of marital happiness change with age?

It increases with age. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is associated with greater satisfaction among younger adults?

Attributing success to their effort. Signup and view all the answers

What's the distinction between primary and secondary control?

Primary control concerns external environment alteration, while secondary focus on cognition and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

As individuals reach midlife, how does their primary control typically change?

It declines. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of control is not included in the four types of control experiences?

Control over social relationships. Signup and view all the answers

How do older adults typically modify their impression of a person when presented with negative information after positive information?

They modify their impression to be more negative. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a 'social clock' in the context of life-span development?

A personal timetable for achieving future goals. Signup and view all the answers

In McAdams’s Life-Story Model, how does one’s life story primarily reflect individual identity?

It organizes past events into a coherent narrative. Signup and view all the answers

What do 'possible selves' represent as one ages?

Hoped-for selves and feared-for selves with a focus on personal matters. Signup and view all the answers

How do younger and middle-aged adults generally view their hoped-for selves compared to older adults?

They are more optimistic about achieving hoped-for selves. Signup and view all the answers

What do personal control beliefs influence in an individual's life?

Outcome in various domains such as health and career. Signup and view all the answers

What theme is central to McAdams’s Life-Story Model?

Themes of agency and communion. Signup and view all the answers

How do personal control beliefs vary according to the research findings?

They differ depending on the domain being studied. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Erikson's Sixth Stage: Intimacy vs. Isolation

Adults face the significant task of forming intimate relationships and finding a life partner.

Identity and Intimacy: Men vs. Career-Oriented Women

Men tend to prioritize career success before forming intimate relationships.
Career-oriented women often focus on establishing a career before settling down.

Quarter-Life Crisis

A defining characteristic is a sense of uncertainty and dissatisfaction with one's life path, often occurring in the late 20s or early 30s.

Physical Abilities in Young Adulthood

Physical abilities peak in early adulthood, but begin a gradual decline around age 30.

Leading Cause of Death for Young Adults (Early 20s)

Accidents are the leading cause of death.

Mortality Rates: Men vs. Women (25-34)

Young adult men are over twice as likely to die compared to women of the same age.

Teratogens and Health Problems

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a potent teratogen, known for its adverse impact on fetal development and potential health problems.

Secondhand Smoke and Disease

More than 87% of nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke, increasing their risk for various health issues.

Binge Drinking: Men

Binge drinking for men is defined as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in two hours.

HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein)

This type of cholesterol is beneficial for keeping arteries clear and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Education is not considered one of the three most important social factors influencing health; the others are socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and gender.

BMI Over 25 and Health Risks

A BMI over 25 signifies overweight and is associated with increased risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Long-Term Drinking and Brain Health

Excessive long-term drinking can lead to brain damage and cognitive decline.

Optimal LDL Cholesterol Level

The recommended LDL cholesterol level for optimal heart health is below 100 mg/dL.

Alcohol Use Disorder

The primary characteristic is the inability to control alcohol intake despite negative consequences.

Socioeconomic Status and Health

Socioeconomic status has a significant impact on health, with higher socioeconomic status linked to better health outcomes.

Emerging Adulthood

Defined as the period between the late teens and mid-20s, characterized by identity exploration, instability, and a sense of possibilities.

Role Transitions Marking Adulthood

Examples include completing education, starting a career, entering a committed relationship, or having a child.

Rites of Passage in Cultures

These ceremonies, common across cultures, mark an individual's transition from one social status to another, often signifying entry into adulthood.

Prefrontal Cortex in Young Adults

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for planning, complex behavior, and decision-making, undergoes significant development into the mid-20s.

College Enrollment: High School Graduates

About 68% of high school graduates enroll in college, indicating a high prevalence of post-secondary education.

Changes in College Demographics

Increasing diversity, including more women, minority students, and older adults, is a key factor in college demographic shifts.

Role Transitions: West vs. Non-West

In Western cultures, the transition to adulthood is marked by individual achievement, while in non-Western cultures, it is often tied to social obligations and family roles.

Cognitive Abilities: Young Adults vs. Adolescents

Young adults demonstrate superior cognitive abilities, including reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making, compared to adolescents.

Variablity in Change Patterns

Intraindividual variability refers to the variability of change patterns among individuals.

General Intelligence and Performance

General intelligence identifies the relationship between performance on different tests as a common ability.

Primary Mental Ability: The Exception

Reasoning is NOT considered a primary mental ability; the others are verbal, spatial, quantitative, memory, and perceptual speed.

Fluid Intelligence Throughout Adulthood

Fluid intelligence, which involves novel problem-solving, peaks in young adulthood and gradually declines with age.

Emotional Intelligence: Understanding Emotions

Emotion understanding involves identifying, understanding, and differentiating emotions in ourselves and others.

Crystallized Intelligence

Crystallized intelligence, based on accumulated knowledge and experience, continues to increase throughout adulthood.

Secondary Mental Ability: Flexible Thinking

Cognitive complexity is related to being a flexible and adaptive thinker, adjusting to changing circumstances.

Emotional Intelligence and Age

Emotional intelligence tends to increase with age due to greater experience and more effective emotion regulation.

Perceived Control of Marital Happiness and Age

With age, individuals typically report a greater sense of perceived control over their marital happiness, reflecting a more mature and balanced perspective.

Satisfaction in Younger Adults

Younger adults generally associate greater life satisfaction with personal goals and accomplishments, including education, career, and relationships.

Primary vs. Secondary Control

Primary control involves trying to change the environment to fit one's needs, while secondary control involves adjusting oneself to fit the environment.

Primary Control: Midlife Transition

As individuals reach midlife, they often shift their focus from primary control to secondary control, adapting to life circumstances more readily.

Types of Control Experiences: The Omission

Control over the processes of social interaction is not one of the four types of control experiences; the existing types are primary control, secondary control, proactive control, and control beliefs.

Impression Modification: Positive to Negative

When presented with negative information after positive information, older adults tend to modify their impression of a person less dramatically than younger adults.

A social clock refers to the culturally prescribed timetable for major life events, such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.

Life-Story Model and Identity

McAdams's Life-Story Model posits that one's life story reflects individual identity through personal experiences, values, and goals.

Possible Selves: Aging and Identity

Possible selves represent an individual's aspirations, fears, and hopes for the future, influencing motivation and behavior as one ages.

Self-Views: Youth vs. Middle-Age vs. Old Age

Younger and middle-aged adults generally view their hoped-for selves as more positive and idealistic compared to older adults who tend to have more realistic expectations.

Influence of Personal Control Beliefs

Personal control beliefs influence an individual's motivation, behavior, and overall well-being.

Central Theme: McAdams's Life-Story Model

Finding meaning and purpose in life is a central theme in McAdams's Life-Story Model.

Personal Control Beliefs: Research Findings

Personal control beliefs are influenced by factors such as age, gender, and culture.

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Description

Explore the complex journey of becoming an adult as outlined in Chapter Ten. This quiz covers the physical, cognitive, and personality development during young adulthood, as well as role transitions and cross-cultural perspectives on rites of passage. Understand how these factors shape the emergence of adulthood in various cultures.