ipl-logo

Psychosocial Changes In Adulthood Essay

1098 Words5 Pages

Abstract This report discusses the statement: Adulthood is probably the most balanced and free of changes stage of human development. To evaluate change in adulthood I will look at how Erikson and Levinson’s theories explore psychosocial changes in adulthood, how social and emotional development proceeds in adults and the physical changes which occur as we age. It is concluded that adulthood is a period of frequent profound change and is not the most balanced and free of change in human development. Introduction Studies on lifespan developmental psychology focus on how behaviour changes and remains consistent throughout the course of life. (Baltes, 1987) Adult development focuses on early, middle and late adulthood. There is a general misconception …show more content…

This is also when decline in the bodily functions begins (Travers and Dacey, 1996). According to Berk (2007), apects such as the skin, cadiovascular, respiratory, muscular and immune systems gradually decline as one gets older. Degeneration of sensory organs and the nervous system degeneration is less gradual and accelerates in middle age. In ‘Adult Development & Aging’ Susan Krauss Whitbourne (2001) highlights that physical decline can result in decreased sense of ability in the elderly (as cited in Hewstone et al., 2005, p. 216.) Numerous physical illnesses and psychological diorders such as emphysema and dimentia are linked to adulthood as a result of physical decline.(Berk, …show more content…

Erikson emphasises that the individual experiences significant psychosocial and personal change at each stage of life until death. Additionally, Levinson’s theory observes adulthood as a continual process of re-evaluation and change. Social and emotional features of adulthood are significant contributors to instability due to changing roles and emerging of life events. Continual challenges are guaranteed because the length of adulthood has endless potential for new experiences. This relates to Erikson’s notion that identity evolves throughout the lifespan due to experiences. Role loss can take the form of divorce or a child leaving home. Such changes have varied psychological implications depending social support and individual resilience. The discovery that adults have minimal change in personality is highly plausible. The aforementioned five personality traits would be developed in childhood and adolescence. However the evidence of minor changes in neuroticism and agreeableness seems to translate to the sociocultural view of maturity. One can perceive the significance of physical decline and illness in adulthood is high due to the realisation of mortality in this latter stage of life. Physical changes ranging from menopause to dementia have serious psychosocial implications relating to relationships and self-esteem. Conclusion In summary, adulthood cannot be categorized as balanced and free of changes as it is comprised

Show More
Related
154 Words | 1 Pages

Through life, everyone even animals go through the evolution and growing up process. From infant all the way to the walk of a cane, aging is a process in our lives that everyone dreads going through. We all have to learn how to grow up and take on responsibilities that we as adults will face later on in our lives. “What Is It about 20-Somethings” by Robin Henig gives insight into the life of young adulthood and the phenomenon of adults being “stuck”. Whether people like it or not, you’re going to have to grow up and start your own life.

Read More
853 Words | 4 Pages

The principle of development and aging as a continual process of life is the understanding that a person’s behavior cannot be attributed to one time during a person’s life course and that all areas of a person’s life course have an impact (Schmalleger, 2012). One of the central organizing principles of the perspective is the link between human lives and social relationships with friends and family across a person’s life span. These relationships have considerable influence on a person’s life course (Schmalleger,

Read More
566 Words | 3 Pages

Middle Adulthood During this stage in life, Erikson describes individuals in the generativity vs. stagnation stage (Capp, 2004). Individuals between the ages 40 to 65 have generally married, have a career and have their own families. Erikson refers to generativity as a concern of the next generation by guiding and establishing them.

Read More
1826 Words | 8 Pages

Theories, Key Concepts, Principles, and Assumptions Two theories that will be discussed in this paper is Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development and John Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment. Erikson’s theory is considered psychosocial, emphasizing the importance of social and cultural factors within a lifespan, from infancy to later adulthood. Erikson’s theory is broken down into eight consecutive age-defined stages. During each stage, a person experiences a psychosocial crisis that contributes to their personality development.

Read More
803 Words | 4 Pages

“Emerging adulthood” article written by Arnett states that emerging adulthood is a stage that has been introduced for the beginning of the age 18 till 25. This new stage is a bridge that connects the adolescences and adult childhood. Various characteristics have described to define the emerging adulthood. The methods that have used includes the age of change, the age of possibility, the age of feeling in between and age of identity exploration. Emerging adulthood is time has been given to young people where they learn how to become adults.

Read More
583 Words | 3 Pages

After an examination of Erik Erikson and Daniel Levinson’s theories at first sight not much is alike, since the stages both differ, but digging deeper in Erikson's and Levinson’s theories have similar ideas in social development; after all, these two studies differ in the outcome. Erik erikson's theories have a greater underlining on child-adolescent development, he believes that early development of a child is the foundation and is the greatest impact on a person's identity and personality later on in life. Erikson presents the stages from childhood to adulthood, but in his theory the only significant development is during childhood, which is the problem, since an individual goes through life experiences throughout life they may have a great impact as an adult too. On the other hand Daniel Levinson’s theory signifies changes throughout all of life's experiences, from childhood to adulthood and continuing. Levinson’s theory believes that we adapt ad we let go of certain things as we move on in life and move from one stage to another.

Read More
1060 Words | 5 Pages

Ashlyn Perez Mrs. Chadwick English 10H, Per. 3 17 April 2023 Man Vs. Adulthood: Not Everyone Finds Pleasure in Maturing One of the highest points in life, adulthood, some may think, may be considered one's prime time, however, an enemy to others.

Read More
821 Words | 4 Pages

Theories of late adulthood development are quite diverse in later adulthood than at any other age. They include self-theory, identity theory and stratification theory. The self-theory tries to explain the core self and search to maintain one’s integrity and identity. The older adults tend to integrate and incorporate their various experiences with their vision and mission for their respective community (Berger, 2008). Also, the older people tend to feel that their attitude, personalities and beliefs have remained in a stable state over their lives even as they acknowledge that physical changes have taken place in their bodies.

Read More
876 Words | 4 Pages

The process of aging in not an unfamiliar topic to society and is an inevitable phase of life. Since 2011, the number of older individuals are increasing annually particularly those from the baby boomer generation. The life expectancy has been increasing with people living longer thanks to modern medicine. These occurrences are proof that civilization is growing exponentially, however the process of aging also means that the older individuals are facing dilemmas such as decreased physical functions, financial instability from retirement, and abuse. Even older adults who are independent may face some limitations.

Read More
895 Words | 4 Pages

Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Human development changes throughout a lifespan and those changes include, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes between birth and adulthood. This paper reflects my own personal changes and focuses specifically on the changes concerning both cognitive development and psychosocial development. Cognitive development involves the mental mind and allows for reasoning and the ability to make decisions, based on logic and reason, to take place. Once individuals reach the age to reason, the maturity levels and past experiences shifts to concrete operational thinking.

Read More
1168 Words | 5 Pages

As adolescences enter adulthood, they enter a long transitional period, often known as “emerging adult”. This transitional period takes place over a range of 18 to 25 years old (Santrock, 2013). At this stage, emerging adults are still in exploration in the various aspect of life such as the career path they are interested in, defining their identities and a style of living they would want to adopt. Thus, adolescences who are in transition will be caught with many intense changes and will experience major life events that are all of great importance.

Read More
346 Words | 2 Pages

His childhood, education experiences, and careers influenced his contributions to lifespan development. As a “neo-Freudian”, Erikson developed eight psychosocial stages of development that greatly correspond with Freud’s Psychosexual Stages (Broderick

Read More
1667 Words | 7 Pages

The physical development of late adulthood is defined by a dramatic loss and decline of physical strength, determination, and abilities as they near the end of their

Read More
1008 Words | 5 Pages

Abstract This essay deals with comparing the childhood and adulthood as significant parts of life. Childhood as we all have experienced is the most beautiful period of one’s life. It is a period of joy pleasure where there are no tensions and no worries. In contrast adulthood is totally different from childhood.

Read More
732 Words | 3 Pages

DEVELOPMENT PSYCHOLOGY: REFLECTIVE ESSAY In life of an individual there are several developmental changes or events which occur as continuity of span of life. Some of life developmental stages include infantile, adolescence, maturity, and adulthood. These phases have biological, social, psychological and physiognomic reasons to which an individual completed the course of life. Psychological analysis upon the developmental stages include the focus on characterization, demarcation and the social interaction of individual’s life (Baltes & Schaie, 2013).

Read More

More about Psychosocial Changes In Adulthood Essay

Related Topics

Open Document