Fluent Essays

Select TWO of the following questions to address--answers should reflect that you have done the course readings/lectures. Then, respond to at least 2 of your peers with a question or comment that builds on their post. In your original response, please be sure to answer two questions of your choice. In your response to your peer's posts, it is fine if you comment on their response to just one of the questions, but you should comment on at least 2 separate peers' original posts. See the syllabus for grading rubric. As a reminder, posts and responses should be respectful. Remember, you need only pick 2 of these questions to address in your original post. 1. Emerging adulthood: If you are an emerging adult, explain what it is like to be in this period of development from your perspective, and how this aligns with what research suggests is common for this age group. For instance, in what ways might you feel like an adult, but also not like an adult? What are the biggest challenges you have right now at this age or during this time? 2. Early adulthood: Consider the RIASEC model presented in the lecture on work. Which category do you think you best fit in based on your personality? Explain how this fits (or not) your major and/or career goals. 3. Early adulthood: In the social-emotional chapter and in the lecture on relationships this week, you learn about things that attract individuals to one another. If you are in a romantic relationship or are open to one in the future, what are 2-3 things you look for in a romantic partner? How does this align with the elements you learned about in the lecture or textbook? 4. Middle adulthood: In the social-emotional chapter and in the lecture on personality, you learn about the "Big 5" this week. Take the following assessment to see where you fall on the "Big 5": https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/IPIP-BFFM/ (Links to an external site.) Note, you do NOT need to consent to use your responses for research. Also, they label openness instead as intellect and list emotional stability (which is the opposite of neuroticism). Provide a summary of your scores and examples of how these traits fit your personality. Do you think your personality has changed at all over time? If so, in what ways? Is this to be expected? This assignment includes writing two comments for classmates（ Starts on Friday and due on Saturday)， I will send to you on Friday. Middle Adulthood: Cognitive Development HDFS 525 ONLINE 1 Key Objectives Describe the difference between crystallized and fluid intelligence and their trajectories across adulthood Explain why fluid intelligence tends to decrease as we age 2 Intelligence Fluid and crystallized Trajectories differ Fluid intelligence Processing speed Ability to learn new things Crystallized What’s in long-term storage? 3 Why do these losses occur? Changes in the brain Areas involved in processing speed and sustained attention shrink Accumulated effects of disease (e.g., heart disease) Lack of practice . 4 Middle adulthood and the work world Developed and fine-tuned expertise Adult learners (“non-traditional” students) tend to do well academically Benefits to “traditional” students? 5 Middle Adulthood: Physical Development HDFS 525 ONLINE 1 Key Objectives Explain general changes in appearance during this time Describe menopause Identify leading causes of death at this age List risk factors for heart disease 2 Changes in appearance Wrinkles and gray hair Universal signs of aging Hair loss Weight gain between 30s – mid 50s Result of slowing metabolism 3 How do people view these changes? Huge retail market to “slow” or “reverse” aging Double standard for men vs. women “Silver fox” vs. “granny” 4 Osteoporosis Decrease in bone mass; bones become brittle More common in women, especially White and Asian women 5 Menopause Onset between age 46 – 60 Estrogen and progesterone decrease Changes in reproductive organs and sexual functioning Physical and psychological symptoms Hormone therapy may help, but there are pro’s and con’s 6 Leading causes of death-overall Center for Disease Control, 2017 7 Leading causes of death-Middle adulthood Center for Disease Control, 2016 8 Heart disease #1 killer in the US Accounts for 24% of all deaths in 2015 9 What is the leading cause of death in women? Heart disease Breast cancer Ovarian cancer Diabetes Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015 10 Heart disease risk factors Uncontrollable Age Gender Ethnicity Blacks > Whites > Latinos > Asians Family history 11 Heart disease risk factors Controllable Diet Sedentary lifestyles Obesity 12 Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1985 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% . 13 2017…. 14 Heart disease risk factors Controllable Smoking Personality 15 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 Non-smokersEx-smokersPipe or cigar only 1/2 pack/day1 pack/day>1 pack/day Heart Attack rate per 100,000 people Men aged 30-59 Middle Adulthood: Social-Emotional Development HDFS 525 ONLINE Personality 1 Key Objectives List and describe “The Big 5” Identify how ”The Big 5” change over time 2 Personality What makes each person unique Personality traits are important predictors of developmental outcomes 3 The Big Five Openness (to experience) – Closed mindedness Conscientiousness – Impulsivity Extroversion – Introversion Agreeableness – Hostility Neuroticism – Emotional stability 4 Openness to Experience High Imaginative and curious Like new activities, to experience different things Low (Closed-minded) Fact-based Prefers familiar/conventional things Related to: easier adjustments work 5 Conscientiousness High Organized Hardworking Responsible Thorough Low (Impulsivity) Careless Unreliable Related to: Health and wealth 6 Extroversion High Outgoing High energy Positive emotionality Leader Low (Introversion) May dislike social situations Less energy Reserved Related to: interpersonal and job success Mortality rate 7 Agreeableness High Helpful Modest Trust Warmth Low (Hostility) Mistrust of others 8 Agreeableness What does it predict? Marriage success Social relationships Volunteering Lower income Judge, Livingston, & Hurst (2012) 9 Neuroticism High Emotionally reactive, intense Moody Self-conscious Low (Emotional Stability) Calm; poised Comfortable in own skin Emotionally stable 10 Neuroticism What does it predict? Mental health Marital relationships Higher mortality 11 Personality Stability & Change Extreme change is rare; small-to-moderate more common How do they change? Usually takes years Personality more stable for some than others 12 Middle Adulthood: Social-Emotional Development HDFS 525 ONLINE Relationships 1 Key Objectives Explain how marital satisfaction changes over time Identify risk factors for divorce Define empty nest syndrome, boomerang kids, and the sandwich generation 2 Course of Marital Satisfaction 3 Series 1 Start of marriage Birth of first child Adolescence of children Launching of children Retirement from work 10.0 7.0 3.0 5.0 9.5 Divorce Recent INCREASE in divorce among adults 50 and over Important sources of variability in likelihood of divorce Age, income, education, family history 4 Parenting in Middle Age Empty nest syndrome Most do just fine Time to focus on marriage Cluttered nests Boomerang kids returning home 5 Boomerang Kids Adult children living with parents Increasing due to student loan debt and job market 6 The “Sandwich Generation” Middle-aged adults caring for their children and aging parents Predominately women (50-66%) 7 The Sandwich Generation Many also employed outside the home Can lead to “caregiver burden” and/or “caregiver gain” 8 Attachment Careseeker <--> caregiver intertwined Quality of attachment a strong predictor of care for aging parents Secure children more prepared to take on caregiving (Soerensen et al., 2002) 9 Emerging Adulthood HDFS 525 ONLINE * Key Objectives Define emerging adulthood Identify the social changes leading to emerging adulthood as a life stage List and describe the 5 themes of emerging adulthood * Are you an Adult? How do you know? * * What Does It Mean to Be an Adult? No definitive criteria; transitions/rite of passage not consistent Driving Voting Joining the military Alcohol use Renting a car/hotel room Going to college Led to new period known as “emerging adulthood” ~18-25; some longer Starts with end of high school—ends with ??? Mostly a Western/industrialized idea * Social Changes Leading to Emerging Adulthood Longer and more widespread education Later age of marriage and parenthood Changes in women’s roles Ambivalence about adult status * . * Chart1 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 percent Year percent 18-24 year-olds with some college College Enrollment, 1900-2000 4 8 16 35 50 63 Sheet1 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 percent 4 8 16 35 50 63 Chart2 African Americans Latinos Whites percent strongly agree percent strongly agree "In high school, I knew that if I wanted to go to college, it would be possible for me to find financial support either from my family or from scholarships, loans, or other programs." 9 9 86 Sheet2 African Americans Latinos Whites percent strongly agree 9 9 86 Chart3 African Americans Latinos Whites Asian Americans percent strongly agree "For as long as I wished to continue my education, it would be possible for me to find financial support either from my family or from scholarships, loans, or other programs." 19 12 59 63 Chart4 African Americans Latinos Whites Asian Americans percent strongly agree "It has been difficult for me to find the financial support to get the kind of education I really want." 61 36 5 0 Sheet4 African Americans Latinos Whites Asian Americans 61 36 5 0 Sheet3 African Americans Latinos Whites Asian Americans 19 12 59 63 * Five Themes of Emerging Adulthood The age of identity exploration The age of instability The self-focused age The age of feeling in-between The age of possibilities * HDFS 525 Emerging Adulthood “Issues” * Chart1 Finances Career choice/Major Work, social, school balance What's next? Building social relationships Marital/romantic relationships Who am I? Independence Concerns 8 15 4 6 8 2 2 2 Sheet1 Concerns Finances 8 Career choice/Major 15 Work, social, school balance 4 What's next? 6 Building social relationships 8 Marital/romantic relationships 2 Who am I? 2 Independence 2 The Age of Identity Exploration Trying to find out “who I am” Love: Searching for a “soul mate” Work: Searching for self-fulfillment; money is not enough Live to work not work to live * The Age of Instability Frequency of job changes from age 20-29 in U.S.? * * Chart1 10-14x 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Age Percentage 14.7 15.9 34.2 31 22.1 14.5 7.1 5.2 Chart2 10-14x 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Age Percentage 14.7 15.9 34.2 31 22.1 14.5 7.1 5.2 10-14x 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-54 55+ &A AGE Percent Who Moved in Past Year Rates of Moving, by Age 14.7 15.9 34.2 31 22.1 14.5 7.1 5.2 Sheet1 10-14x 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-54 55+ 14.7 15.9 34.2 31 22.1 14.5 7.1 5.2 &A Page &P Sheet2 &A Page &P Sheet3 &A Page &P Sheet4 &A Page &P Sheet5 &A Page &P Sheet6 &A Page &P Sheet7 &A Page &P Sheet8 &A Page &P Sheet9 &A Page &P Sheet10 &A Page &P Sheet11 &A Page &P Sheet12 &A Page &P Sheet13 &A Page &P Sheet14 &A Page &P Sheet15 &A Page &P Sheet16 &A Page &P The Self-Focused Age More independent from parents BUT, most not yet tied to others or “settled down” “I think I want to get more in touch with myself. I want to be a little selfish for awhile, and selfishness and marriage don't seem to go hand in hand. I'd like to be able to experience as much as I can before I get married, just so I can be well-rounded.” -Rosa, 24 year-old Latina * The Age of Feeling In-Between Not yet fully adult, and definitely not “kids” or “adolescents” Adults in some ways but not others. In what ways do you not yet feel like an adult? * Top Criteria—Full Adult Status Accept responsibility for self Make independent decisions Financial independence Boomerang Kids * Bottom Criteria—Full Adult Status Finish education Marriage Parenthood Some make take these on when not developmentally ready….are they adults? * The Age of Possibilities “I am very sure that someday I will get to where I want to be in life.” 96% of Americans ages 18-24 agree * The Age of Possibilities Do you think your life will be better or worse than your parents’ lives have been? “Better economically. Better personally. I just think by the time my parents reached my age, they'd already run into some barricades that prevented them from getting what they wanted, personally and family-wise. And so far, I've avoided those things, and I don't really see those things in my life. I don't like my job. I'm frustrated about the lack of relationships with females. But in general, I think I'm headed in the right direction.” -Bob, 23 year-old White American * Possible Selves EAs better at identifying possible selves What we could become, like to become, afraid of becoming Powerful motivators Developmental shifts: EAs, occupation first 30s, family first * Is It Generational? Many negative view of EAs Distinctive features of today’s EA generation: Technology generation More accepting of diversity Passion for their work BUT: EA is here to stay…characteristics may change over time as trends change * Implications for Higher Education Identity issues are key Even after bachelor’s degree, may head in new direction Mixed feelings about adulthood Optimistic, energetic, creative What are the implications of the stage of emerging adulthood for higher education? As those who are likely in this stage of development, but also as professors and advisors working with young adults, it is important to recognize and normalize some of the key features we discussed here. First, identity issues are key during college. Many students will be in a state of identity moratorium as it relates to both love and work during this period of development. That is okay. College is a GREAT time to explore your options given that many individuals have the luxury of being able to be self-focused during this time. Exploring courses and majors is great and it not uncommon for someone to switch majors to find something that better suits them! Also, as discussed in adolescence, some people may even change their mind after reaching identity achievement and that is okay too. Even after a bachelor’s degree, some people may go back to school or head in a completely different direction! I have a friend with a degree in philosophy who works in technology now! Somethings the things we are most passionate about change over time—and that’s okay too. It is also important to recognize the normalcy of having mixed feelings about adulthood. It is an exciting and nerve wracking time to know that there are transtions on the horizion. That is okay. Talk to your advisor and other support systems about your concerns. I’m also here if you ever want to chat. Lastly, I just want to end by stating how wonderful it is working with emerging adults. They are so optimistic and excited about the future. I can see it when I talk to my advisees about their career goals and the difference they want to make in the world (most of them want to become educators, but I have some other advisees who want to work in other helping professions). There is so much energy, creativity and excitement that will Eas well in their future careers. Here at UNH we are fortunate to be surrounded by a community of such caring, motivated, and invested students who want to make a difference. If you have any questions or comments, please send me an email. * 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 12-17x18-2526-3536-55 Age Percentage yes no yes and no College Enrollment, 1900-2000 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 190019201940196019802000 Year percent 18-24 year-olds with some college Rates of Moving, by Age 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 10-14x15-1920-2425-2930-3435-4445-5455+ AGE Percent Who Moved in Past Year