Psychology2016

342 CHAPTER 8

Practice Quiz How much do you remember?

Pick the best answer.

1. A change in the body of young boys such as the appearance and
   growth of body hair is considered
   a. a primary sex characteristic.
   b. a secondary sex characteristic.
   c. the final stage of puberty.
   d. a sign of postconventional morality.


2. “It can’t happen to me. I’m special” is a common attitude found in
   adolescents who have developed
   a. a self-concept. c. a personal fable.
   b. an imaginary audience. d. a preconventional morality.


3. According to Kohlberg, about one-fifth of the adult population is at
   the __ level of morality.
   a. preconventional c. postconventional
   b. conventional d. preliminary
   4. According to Erikson, the task of the adolescent is to
   a. find a consistent sense of self.
   b. develop a sense of initiative.
   c. find intimacy with another.
   d. develop a sense of industry.
   5. If Colin is going to argue and disagree with his parents, which of the
   following topics will he typically be arguing over?
   a. political beliefs
   b. religious beliefs
   c. social values
   d. his taste in clothes

Adulthood and Aging

When exactly does adulthood begin?

Adulthood can be thought of as the period of life from the early 20s until old age and

death. Exactly when adulthood begins is not always easy to determine. In some cultures,

adulthood is reached soon after puberty (Bledsoe & Cohen, 1993; Ocholla-Ayayo et al.,

1993). Some people feel that it begins after graduation from high school, whereas others

would say adulthood doesn’t begin until after graduation from college. Others define it

as the point when a person becomes totally self-sufficient with a job and a home separate

from his or her parents. In that case, some people are not adults until their late 30s.

Many developmental psychologists now talk about emerging adulthood as a time

from late adolescence through the 20s and referring to mainly those in developed coun-

tries who are childless, do not live in their own home, and are not earning enough money

to be independent (Arnett, 2000, 2013; Azmitia et al., 2008; Greeson, 2013; Nelson et al.,

2008). Decisions about identity, values, and the preparation for a career have begun to

take longer and longer, and together with the downturn in the economy, many young

people who would have been working and raising families a few decades ago now find

that they cannot “leave the nest” so easily.

Physical Development: Use It or Lose It

8.12 Identify the physical changes and health issues associated with

adulthood.

Adulthood can also be divided into at least three periods: young adulthood, middle age,

and late adulthood.

PHYSICAL AGING Physical changes in young adulthood are relatively minimal. The

good news is that the 20s are a time of peak physical health, sharp senses, fewer inse-

curities, and mature cognitive abilities. The bad news is that even in the early 20s, the

signs of aging are already beginning. Oil glands in the neck and around the eyes begin

to malfunction, contributing to wrinkles in those areas near the end of the 20s and

beginning of the 30s. The 30s may not bring noticeable changes, but vision and hearing

are beginning to decline, and by around age 40, bifocal lenses may become necessary as

emerging adulthood
a time from late adolescence through
the s referring to those who are
childless do not live in their own
home and are not earning enough
money to De indeRendent mainly
found in develoRed countries.