Development of Adult Thinking

Development of Adult Thinking

• Adult thinking is more practical and flexible than adolescent thought, combining intuition and analysis.
• Postformal thought, a fifth stage beyond Piaget's formal operational stage, integrates emotion and pragmatics.
• Postformal thinkers are flexible and consider all aspects of situations. This stage is more complex than formal scientific problem-solving.

Postformal Thought Characteristics

• Postformal thinking is practical and creative.
• Adult brains activate more brain regions in response to events compared to adolescents.
• Integrative thinking combines logic and experience.
• Adult thinkers are capable of flexibility, accepting imperfections in themselves, families, and society.

Mate Selection in Emerging Adulthood

• Emerging adults show signs of integrative thinking in career choices, location, lifestyle, and relationships.
• They may not follow childhood patterns in relationships.
• Emotional and rational considerations are combined in mate selection.
• Intermarriage rates are higher in adult relationships, indicating a focus on compatibility rather than traditional norms based on ethnicity or religion.

Combining Facts and Emotions

• Postformal thought moves beyond dual processing (objective and subjective thought).
• Postformal thinkers combine objective logic with subjective experiences and emotions.
• Example: Laura's postformal thought about alcohol involves factual knowledge together with emotional experiences (flashbacks).

Adult Cognition and Education

• Emotional sensitivity is needed for navigating adult life's complexities.
• College education can enhance cognitive development but some aspects of current college structures may not encourage these developmental areas.
• Factors influencing student cognition: declining levels of critical thinking, increased stress levels, and the use of cognitive enhancers.
• Concerns about the prevalence of certain study habits, like relying on drugs to enhance cognitive functions, are rising.
• Political and/or ethnic diversity is valuable for expanding perspectives. College environments that foster a balance between diverse opinions, encourage discussion, and support critical thinking, are best.

Factors for Increased Stress and Misplaced Focus in Students

• Emotional distress is increasing in students despite varied circumstances.
• Some students may not prioritize study strategies and personal development that lead to true intellectual and cognitive advancement.
• College experiences are less focused on critical thinking, compared to previous generations, this may be a concern in the advancement of a student's cognitive processes due to reduced emphasis placed on the curriculum.

Economic and Social Factors Shaping Adult Decisions

• Differences in educational background of parents impact a student's life in several ways, and in particularly, the choices they make about education.
• Less socioeconomically privileged students may choose college for economic benefits, and may be less focused on developing critical thinking skills than more privileged students.
• Factors like family background can further impact decisions related to lifestyle , study, or relationship choices.

This quiz explores the characteristics of adult thinking, particularly the concept of postformal thought, which combines intuition and analysis. It examines how integrating emotions and practicality influences decision-making in emerging adulthood, especially regarding mate selection and career choices.