Psychology of Emerging Adulthood

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes the self-focus aspect of emerging adulthood?

Higher autonomy in running their own lives (correct)

Limited opportunities for self-exploration

Reliance on parents for financial support

Increased social obligations and commitments

How do emerging adults commonly view their life stage?

They perceive themselves as children

They see themselves as fully established adults

They consider themselves in between adolescence and full adulthood (correct)

They often feel they are still adolescents

What opportunity do emerging adults primarily have during this life stage?

To transform their lives towards positive directions (correct)

To focus solely on financial stability

To settle into long-term careers

To take on more family responsibilities

What physical change typically occurs during middle adulthood?

Menopause in women and weight gain Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is primarily associated with neurogenesis in adulthood?

Hippocampi and olfactory bulbs Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive changes are observed in late adulthood?

Memory retrieval skills may decline Signup and view all the answers

According to Erikson’s Theory, which stage is characterized by the conflict of intimacy vs. isolation?

Early adulthood Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor that influences happiness according to the information provided?

Good income Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of physical activity on cognitive function in adulthood?

It can improve cognitive function Signup and view all the answers

Which model outlines the five components of happiness?

The PERMA model Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of happiness?

Instant Gratification Signup and view all the answers

What is a contributing factor to the hedonic treadmill phenomenon?

Adaptation level theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'happiness set point'?

The average level of happiness that fluctuates around genetic predisposition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential cause for procrastination?

Setting unrealistic goals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would typically correlate with low negative feelings?

A positive outlook Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is recommended to minimize procrastination?

Creating a plan with a set deadline Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of drive reduction?

Achieve homeostasis Signup and view all the answers

Which theory addresses the emotional misattribution process?

Schachter-Singer theory of emotion Signup and view all the answers

What are the stages of gender affirmation typically in the correct order?

Disclosing–Hormones–Removal of secondary sex characteristics–Affirming surgery Signup and view all the answers

What does the Yerkes-Dodson law state regarding performance?

Performance is best under conditions of moderate arousal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of Self-Determination Theory?

Financial stability Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between overt aggression and relational aggression?

Men typically engage in overt aggression; women in relational aggression Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the function of cholecystokinin (CCK)?

It helps start the process of digestion and signals fullness Signup and view all the answers

What does valence of an emotion refer to?

Whether the emotion is pleasant or unpleasant Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the concept of personality?

A stable pattern of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which approach focuses on the enduring characteristics that shape individual behaviors?

Trait approach Signup and view all the answers

What are the Big Five personality dimensions?

Openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism Signup and view all the answers

How is an ambivert characterized?

A mix of introverted and extroverted traits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits describes a high level of neuroticism?

Anxious and insecure Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding traits in personality psychology?

Traits are broad dispositions influencing behavior over time Signup and view all the answers

What defines an omnivert?

An individual who fluctuates between introversion and extroversion Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to personality emphasizes the study of psychological attributes that reflect our true selves?

Humanist approach Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of stress according to the defined stages?

Alarm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an internal stressor?

Setting realistic goals Signup and view all the answers

Which coping strategy is more focused on directly addressing the problem?

Problem-focused coping Signup and view all the answers

What cumulative effect does compound stress refer to?

The combination of multiple stressors over time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes hardiness/resilience in relation to stress?

A sense of control over one’s life and commitment to multiple areas Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of emotion-focused coping strategies?

To manage emotional reactions Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT part of the hardiness/resilience combination?

Financial security Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of combining coping strategies?

More effective stress management Signup and view all the answers

What is a hallmark symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Persistent anxiety for at least 6 months. Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is primarily characterized by repetitive behaviors to alleviate anxiety?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Bipolar II Disorder from Bipolar I Disorder?

It has milder hypomanic states. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is a criterion for Major Depressive Disorder?

Recurrent thoughts of death. Signup and view all the answers

What is the required duration of symptoms to diagnose someone with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

At least 2 weeks. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of thoughts are considered obsessions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Repeated intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

In Dysthymia, how do symptoms compare to Major Depressive Disorder?

Symptoms are similar but milder. Signup and view all the answers

What type of disorder involves an intense fear of being embarrassed in public?

Social Anxiety Disorder. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Development

Human development is a pattern of continuity and change in human capacities throughout life.
Changes occur at the physical, cognitive, and emotional/socio-emotional levels.

Research Methods

Cross-sectional study: Data collected at a single point in time, using a cohort (group of people born around the same time period).
Limitation: Does not track individuals over time.
Longitudinal study: Data collected repeatedly over time, using the same participants.
Limitation: Expensive and time-consuming, and potential "drop-out" effects.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Cognitive Theory

Cognitive development is an interpersonal process happening in a cultural context.
The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the difference between what a child can do independently and what a child can do with help from a knowledgeable other.

Erik Erikson's Theory of Socioemotional Development

First stage: Trust vs. Mistrust (in infancy), where babies' needs must be met for them to develop trust.
Subsequent stages include identity vs role confusion, intimacy vs isolation, generativity vs stagnation.

Early vs. Later Life Experiences

Life-span developmentalists study both children and adults, emphasizing that early and later experiences influence development equally.
A person's early childhood experiences don't necessarily dictate their future, yet early experiences definitely have significant contributions to development.

Resilience

Resilience: A person shows signs of positive functioning even while facing adversity.
Factors predicting childhood resilience can include a supportive relationship with a competent adult figure outside the home.

Piaget's Cognitive Development

Children actively construct their cognitive world through schemas.
Assimilation: Incorporating new information into existing schemas.
Accommodation: Adjusting existing schemas when new information doesn't fit.
Object permanence is usually achieved between 8-12 months.

Parenting Styles

Authoritarian: Controlling, punitive, and does not explain decisions.
Authoritative: Discipline with explanations, encourages independence with limits.
Neglectful: Generally uninvolved.
Permissive: Involved, places few limits.

Emerging Adulthood

Arnett's 5 key features are Identity Exploration (in love and work), Instability, Self-focus, Feeling "in between," and an Age of possibilities.

Physical Changes in Adulthood

Early adulthood: Peak of physical development
Middle adulthood: Most women experience menopause, and may experience less height and generally gain more weight.
Late adulthood: Elective optimization with compensation (use of strategies to compensate for age-related losses)

Motivation & Emotion

Evolutionary approach: Sign stimuli (specific events) give rise to instincts.
Drive-reduction theory: Drives lead to behavior to restore homeostasis.
Optimum arousal theory: Performance is best under conditions of moderate arousal.

Hunger & Obesity

Biological factors affecting hunger include stomach contractions, CCK (cholecystokinin), glucose levels, insulin, and leptin.
Obesity is associated with various health issues and has genetic components related to set points.
Key psychological factors implicated in obesity include emotional eating and external cues in food commercials.

Intrinsinc & Extrinsinc Motivation

-Intrinsic motivation comes from internal factors linked to the activity itself such as enjoyment, purpose, growth, curiosity, passion, and self-expression. -Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors like promotions, pay raises, and winning.

Misattribution of Emotion

The Capilano Suspension Bridge experiment demonstrated that physiological arousal can be misattributed to an emotional cause.

Procrastination

Unworthy award
Fear of failure
Fear of success
Overwhelmed
Perfectionism

Attitudes & Persuasion

Elaboration likelihood model (ELM) identifies two routes to persuasion: central (rational) and peripheral (emotional).
Personality and situation factors influence which route is more effective.
Examples of persuasion techniques include the foot-in-the-door technique and the door-in-the-face technique.

Altruism: Helping others, without expecting anything in return.
Aggression: Hostile or forceful behavior, sometimes with intent to harm.
Causes of Aggression include: evolutionary pressures, genetic factors, and neurobiological factors.

Social Cognition refers to how people select, interpret, remember, and use social information about others, the environment, and themselves.
Person perception is the process of forming impressions of others, often based on key social cues like facial expressions, influencing how trustworthiness and dominance are perceived.
Attributions are explanations for causes of behavior. External and Internal, stable and unstable, controllable and uncontrollable.
Examples of social behaviours include conformity and obedience.

Prejudice, Stereotypes, & Discrimination

Prejudice: Negative attitude toward a particular group.
Stereotype: Belief about the traits of a group.
Discrimination: Negative action against a group.

Personality

Personality: Enduring thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that characterize an individual's way of adapting to their world.
Personality Traits: Lasting characteristics across situations and time that influence responses to situations.
Examples of Traits: Openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (the big 5).
How Personality Affects Social Cognition: Personality can shape the way people perceive and form impressions of others.
Personological, social cognitive, and trait theories offer different approaches to understanding personality.

Psychological Disorders

Abnormal behavior is unusual and deviates from typical behavior, and psychological disorders are characterized by maladaptive or distress-causing behavior patterns for a period of time.
The DSM-5 is the diagnostic manual for psychological disorders and uses a categorical system to classify these disorders.

Suicide Prevention

Warning signs for suicide vary, and actions to take should include helping the individual seek professional help.
Methods that may not be effective in situations when individuals are involved in suicide prevention may include false reassurances and ignoring the warning signs.
Safeguards against unethical conformity/obedience include higher levels of assertiveness, independence, resistance to stress, and low levels of authoritarianism.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is a process that allows those who meet specific criteria to receive assistance from a medical professional in ending their lives.

Clinical Psychologist vs. Psychiatrists

A Clinical Psychologist addresses psychological disorders, while a Psychiatrist can address both psychological disorders and physical disorders, and can prescribe medication.

Factors in Effective Psychotherapy

Therapeutic alliance, therapist characteristics, and the client's own characteristics are influential.
Different approaches to psychotherapy target issues, such as insight vs symptoms; and directive vs non-directive.

Therapy Approaches

Psychodynamic therapies, humanistic therapies, behavioral therapies, cognitive therapies, dialectical behaviour therapies, and integrated approaches are different models to treat people with different conditions with specific techniques, focuses, targets, and goals for change.

Stages of Change Model

The stages of change model offers a framework explaining the process of adopting healthier habits or lifestyles.
Stages include (1) pre-contemplation, (2) contemplation, (3) preparation, (4) action, (5) maintenance.
Stages may include relapse to earlier stages, which can be a part of the process, rather than a failure.

Resources to support change

Social support: Information, feedback, reassurance, tangible assistance, and emotional support from others can support positive behaviour changes.

Stress and Coping

Stress is a normal response to threatening or challenging situations, but chronic stress can have negative impacts.
Strategies to manage stress can include using coping mechanisms to gain a perspective and manage the problem.
Types of coping mechanisms include Problem-focused coping and Emotion-focused coping.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in the psychology of emerging adulthood, focusing on self-focus, opportunities, and cognitive changes during different life stages. It also covers the impact of physical activity on cognitive function and the factors influencing happiness. Test your understanding of Erikson’s Theory and the intricacies of adult development.