Chapter 13 Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood a 340 Aging at the Level of DNA and Body Cells how are aren t genetics genes linked to biological longevity Two types 1 2 those that emphasize the programmed effects of specific genes those that emphasize the cumulative effects of random events that damage genetic and cellular material People whose parents had long lives tend to live longer themselves similar to identical twins People inherit one or more risk factors which influence their chances of dying earlier or later b 341 Telomere Length inset What are telomeres and how are they connected to biological aging Telomere a special type of DNA located at the ends of chromosomes serving as a cap to protect the ends from destruction shortens Eventually so little remains that the cells no longer duplicate at all Telomere shortening acts as a brake against somatic mutations when cells duplicate The length of your telomere is linked to unhealthy behaviors c 341 342 Aging at the Level of Tissues and Organs What happens what systems are affected and how can this aging be deterred slowed Cross linkage theory of aging over time protein fibers that make up the body s connective tissues form bonds or links with one another When these normally separate fibers cross link tissue becomes less elastic leading to many negative outcomes like loss of flexibility in the skin and other organs clouding of the lens of the eye and clogging of arteries Aging can be deterred by regular exercise and a vitamin rich low fat diet d 342 Motor Performance the upper biological limit the upper biological limit of motor capacity is reached in the first part of early adulthood e 354 Development of Epistemic Cognition dualistic thinking and relativistic thinking dividing information values and authority into right and dualistic thinking wrong good and bad we and they Relativistic thinking viewing all knowledge as embedded in a framework of thought Aware of a diversity of opinions on many topics they gave up the possibility of absolute truth in favor of multiple truths each relative to its context f 358 Dropping Out 45 percent of U S students at a two year institutions and 30 percent of students at four year institutions drop out most within the first year and many within the first six weeks dropout rates are higher in colleges with less selective admission requirements in some first year drop out rate approaches 50 percent g 358 Selecting a Vocation fantasy period tentative period and realistic period The fantasy period career options by fantasizing about them in early and middle childhood children gain insight into between ages 11 and 16 adolescents think about careers The tentative period in more complex ways at first in terms of their interests and soon as they become more aware of personal and educational requirements for different vocations in terms of their abilities and values The realistic period practical realities of adulthood just around the corner young people start to narrow their options A first step is often further exploration gathering more information about possibilities that blend with their personal characteristics In the final phase crystallization they focus on a general vocational category and experiment for a time before settling on a single occupation by the late teens and early twenties with the economic and h 358 359 Factors Influencing Vocational Choice including Holland s six personality types 1 2 3 4 5 6 the investigative person who enjoys working with ideas is likely to select a scientific occupation the social person who likes interacting with people gravitates toward human services the realistic person who prefers real world problems and working with objects tends to choose a mechanical occupation the artistic person who is emotional and high in need for individual expression looks toward an artistic field the conventional person who like well structured tasks and values material possessions and social status has traits well suited to certain business fields the enterprising person who is adventurous persuasive and a strong leader is drawn to sales and supervisory positions or to politics i 360 361 Gender Stereotypes Factors that influence women s career choices girls are advantaged in reading and writing achievement they reach secondary school less confident of their abilities less likely to express interest in math and science careers they worry about combining a highly demanding career with family responsibilities Chapter 14 Emotional and Social Development in Early Adulthood a 366 367 Unprecedented Exploration and Advances in Identity including identity progress in emerging adulthood Emerging adults have left adolescence but are some distance from taking on adult responsibilities Emerging adulthood the transition to adult roles has become so delayed and prolonged that it has spawned a new transitional period extending from the late teens to the mid twenties b 373 The Components of Love Factors that characterize and contribute to longer lasting relationships triangular theory of love identifies three components intimacy passion and commitment that shift in emphasis as romantic relationships develop c 374 Inset Childhood Attachment Patterns and Adult Romantic Relationships early attachment pattern is one among several factors that predicts the quality of later intimate ties recollections of childhood attachment patterns strongly predict romantic relationships in adulthood d 377 Leaving Home Factors that influence when individuals will leave home i e establish residential independence individuals leave to escape family friction and stress some leave to be more independent to express adult status if they live on their own before marriage that varies with SES and ethnicity e 377 378 Marital Roles 2 questions traditional marriages involving a clear division of husband s and wife s roles still exist in Western nations The man is the head of household his primary responsibility is the economic well being of his family This woman devotes herself to caring for her husband and children and to creating a nurturant comfortable home Egalitarian marriages Both try to balance the time and energy they devote to their occupations their children and their relationship partners relate as equals sharing power and authority f 380 The Decision to Have Children depends on financial circumstances personal and religious values and health conditions the most important reasons for having