Early and Middle Adulthood
Early and Middle Adulthood
Gregory Solomon
PSY/280
October 6, 2012
Dr. David Dawson
Early and Middle Adulthood
Although the theory of development by Erik Erikson maintained that humans develop in psychosocial stages, it is the psychological adjustments people undertake in regard to lifestyle and aging that mark significant areas of development. The transition through early adulthood and middle adulthood demand resilience in the pursuit of intimacy, specific function, and quality of life. The subject matter for this paper will expound on the evolution of social and intimate relationships during this period and identify the various role changes experienced. Additionally, a brief examination of the immediate and future effect of healthy and unhealthy habits practiced will be provided.
Whereas many people define early adulthood as reaching the age of majority, the transition to adulthood has also been marked by the category of emerging adulthood (DeVito, 2009). This period of change is, like the stages of development prior, complicated with new challenges and uncertainties. Exploration, identity progress, and broadening values subject an early adult to cultural changes and variations as well as risks in grappling with momentous choices. At the height of these choices and influences, the human need for social and intimate relationships evolves and develops through experimentation and adjustments. The capacity to overcome challenges and adversity signifies the resilience that has emerged and continues to support the growth throughout early and middle adulthood.
Humans are innately social and the socio-emotional development of relationships is typically marked by a greater sense of independence, increased responsibility, and an attempt to balance autonomy and intimacy. During early adulthood and continuing into middle adulthood, there is a progression of positive identity that promotes good interpersonal skills and relationships, social integration, and
Gregory Solomon
PSY/280
October 6, 2012
Dr. David Dawson
Early and Middle Adulthood
Although the theory of development by Erik Erikson maintained that humans develop in psychosocial stages, it is the psychological adjustments people undertake in regard to lifestyle and aging that mark significant areas of development. The transition through early adulthood and middle adulthood demand resilience in the pursuit of intimacy, specific function, and quality of life. The subject matter for this paper will expound on the evolution of social and intimate relationships during this period and identify the various role changes experienced. Additionally, a brief examination of the immediate and future effect of healthy and unhealthy habits practiced will be provided.
Whereas many people define early adulthood as reaching the age of majority, the transition to adulthood has also been marked by the category of emerging adulthood (DeVito, 2009). This period of change is, like the stages of development prior, complicated with new challenges and uncertainties. Exploration, identity progress, and broadening values subject an early adult to cultural changes and variations as well as risks in grappling with momentous choices. At the height of these choices and influences, the human need for social and intimate relationships evolves and develops through experimentation and adjustments. The capacity to overcome challenges and adversity signifies the resilience that has emerged and continues to support the growth throughout early and middle adulthood.
Humans are innately social and the socio-emotional development of relationships is typically marked by a greater sense of independence, increased responsibility, and an attempt to balance autonomy and intimacy. During early adulthood and continuing into middle adulthood, there is a progression of positive identity that promotes good interpersonal skills and relationships, social integration, and
References: Berger, K. S. (2010). Invitation to the life span. New York, NY: Worth Publishers. DeVito, J. A. (2009). The interpersonal communication book (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. Reeve, J. (2009). Understanding motivation and emotion (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.