BESC1120 Study Guide - Final Guide: Welfare Reform, Monogamy, Childlessness
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EXAM NOTES - Developmental Psychology
Chapter 13: Psychosocial development in early adulthood
Theories of adult development:
Timing of events: social clocks:
ďˇSocial expectations create an internalised social clock
ďˇToo old or too young to do certain things
ďˇEg. starting uni, becoming a parent
ďˇCultural groups tend to develop a shared sense of when males/females are on time âshouldâ do
certain things such as become sexually active⌠etc
ďˇAge appropriate timetable of our social group
ďˇTo check if weâre in the right stage of social development
ďˇOn time = age appropriate social timetable
ďˇOff time = out of phase with peers⌠eg going to uni as a mature age student to change career, a 60
y/o going clubbing
Normative crisis theories: (several)
ďˇCompare ourselves with peers
ďˇSocial expectations through different life stages
Crisis theory: Eriksonâs intimacy VS isolation:
ďˇCrisis of early adulthood
ďˇProceeds identity VS role confusion
ďˇIn this crisis, young adult must develop ability to establish close/intimate committed relationships
(not just romantic but friends and work relationships too) â this is the norm at this stage!
ďˇOtherwise, isolation occurs
Intimate relationships:
ďˇNeed for intimacy and attachment since birth
ďˇDuring adulthood â attachment to friends and lovers increases, attachment to family decreases
ďˇEmotional independence with significant others in lives â maximising emotional security
ďˇChoosing partner â trust, acceptance, enjoyment, shared ideas, validation of who we are,
stimulation/motivation, comfort and support, promote health and wellbeing
Friendship in early adulthood:
ďˇProvides wellbeing, self-esteem, buffer against stress
ďˇEncourages health promoting and pro social behaviours
ďˇEncourages independence from parents
Gender differencesâŚ
ďˇBoth sexes enjoy cross gender friendships
ďˇWomen experience more same sex self disclosure and intimacy
ďˇMen look towards practical direction and shared interests with other males
Love:
ďˇIntimacy important ingredient of love
ďˇFind love in form of a partner whose a lover and a friend to share life with
ďˇContemporary young adults marrying later
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ďˇSo more experience with love relationships and sexual partners
ďˇ76% live together before they marry âcohabitâ
ďˇRelationship is serial monogamy = series of committed intimate sexually exclusive relationships
with one person at a time
ďˇ1980âs Sternbergâs triangle of love â (types of love)
ďˇ3 components â intimacy, passion, commitment â vary in different love relationships
ďˇIntimacy â meaningful / substantial factor in emotional aspect of love
ďˇ= to connectedness in number of ways
ďˇIntimacy and passion are relatively stable in close relationships, passion unstable and fluctuates
ďˇShort term â romantic engagements = passion
ďˇLong term â romantic engagements = intimacy and companionship
ďˇModel suggests the 3 factors are dynamic and change over time
ďˇ7 possibilities âŚ.
ďˇLiking (not really love) â intimacy (no passion, no commitment) friendship
ďˇ*Infatuation â just passion
ďˇEmpty love â just commitment (lost intimacy passion it once had â long term relationship â stays
married because of commitment to love each other)
ďˇ*Romantic â just intimacy and passion, no commitment
ďˇ*Companionate â intimacy and commitment, no passion, LT
ďˇ*Fatuous â passion and commitment, no intimacy, holywood âwhirlwindâ
ďˇ*Consummate â all 3! What everyoneâs searching for , true love - hard to attain, once you have it
hard to maintain
ďˇHave * early adulthood ones^^^^
Gender differences in love:
ďˇFemales â higher confidence in expressing like, love and affection to males compared to males to
females
ďˇMales and females place different values on main aspects of love
ďˇMales think more important â practical help, shared physical activities, spending time together, sex
ďˇFemales more emphasis on â emotional involvement, verbal self disclosure
Partner selection:
ďˇEarly adulthood â a time where people look for partners or mates
ďˇSimilarities bring people together
ďˇQualities of importance males and females most preferred in a partner
ďˇTop 10 below
ďˇAs well as differences, is some similarities between what people look for in long term vs casual
partners
ďˇWarmth and kindness and sense of humour are in the top 3!
ďˇExpressiveness and openness are in top 5!
ďˇCasual sexual relationships can lead to more long term relationships like marriage, or de facto long
term relationships
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Too old or too young to do certain things. Cultural groups tend to develop a shared sense of when males/females are on time should do certain things such as become sexually active etc. Age appropriate timetable of our social group. To check if we"re in the right stage of social development. On time = age appropriate social timetable. Off time = out of phase with peers eg going to uni as a mature age student to change career, a 60 y/o going clubbing. In this crisis, young adult must develop ability to establish close/intimate committed relationships (not just romantic but friends and work relationships too) this is the norm at this stage! Need for intimacy and attachment since birth. During adulthood attachment to friends and lovers increases, attachment to family decreases. Emotional independence with significant others in lives maximising emotional security.