Free Essay

Adulthood

In:

Submitted By laurenmix
Words 452
Pages 2
Erikson’s Timeline

Lauren Mix
April 28th, 2013
PSY/230
Dr. Colleen Story

I would put myself in stage five, which is adolescence and young adulthood. The central question associated with this stage is “how do I fit into the adult world”. Being in college and working to support oneself without the help of others is a major step and often the beginning of an individual’s journey into the adult world. Priorities, jobs, financial situations, and many other things change all while gaining more responsibility. This is the current life situation I am in, therefore I can closely relate. I recently moved to a new state in order to take an internship. While this did push me out of my comfort zone, it also gave me many opportunities such as introducing me to a company that I could potentially se myself with long term. If that were the case, it would provide for me throughout my life and help to set me up for a better future. All in all, it is helping to introduce me to the adult world which will allow me to find where exactly I fit in amongst everyone else. For many years I tried to fine where I fit within the adult world, unsuccessfully. At first, I tried to always act older than I really was. I pushed myself to become more familiar with mature lifestyles and began to seek relationships with people older than my age. Through dating along with trial and error, I began to finally see where I fit in with other adults. Freud considered this stage to be the end of development due to puberty being finished by this point in an individual’s life. Throughout this stage people might questions the past and present while comparing them and setting up mental hypothetical situations. Furthermore, people in this stage also begin to think about their lives more seriously in order to better determine where they want to go and what they want to do with their live. One of my friends who is much younger would fall into stage four of Erikson’s eight stages. This is known as the childhood school age stage. The central question is “how can I be good”, which children ask in order to excel and gain recognition from friends and family members. This individual is always asking how she can do better and improve in areas such as school, sports, and other hobbies. Questions such as “how can I improve my grades” or “how can I impress my parents and friends” show that this person is trying to be better.

Resources
McAdams, D. P. (2009). The person: An introduction to the science of personality psychology (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Emerging Adulthood

...Jeffrey Arnett, author of Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties has written that “emerging adulthood is neither adolescence nor young adulthood, but is distinct from them both.” Emerging adulthood is a time of transition, a developmental bridge between adolescence and adulthood. This period of development is a period of change and exploration. The goal of emerging adulthood is to emerge from the chrysalis of adolescence and transform into an adult. There are beneficial results as well as negative impacts of this developmental stage. A beneficial result of emerging adulthood is the gained understanding of how to manage one’s emotions. This can be as simple as learning to control angry outbursts or disappointment with ease. This is beneficial because it demonstrates the transition between a child and a grown adult. Emotional development is a major beneficial result from emerging adulthood. Furthermore, this developmental stage encourages and aides the change from dependence upon parents to the independence that is typical of adults. This independence is beneficial because it prepares the emerging adult for their future autonomously from their parents. Currently society has labeled these emerging adults as the “Me Generation” because they are more self-focused. Furthermore, they have a sense of entitlement. “We're seeing an epidemic of people who are having a hard time making the transition to work — kids who had too much success early...

Words: 963 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Early and Adulthood

...Early and Middle Adulthood Paper Kimberly Smith PSY/280 August 17, 2015 Mrs. Barch Early and Middle Adulthood Paper Early to middle adulthood is more of a challenging ever-changing process. People in their early and middle adulthood go through transitions such as deciding to go to college, starting a family, getting married and establishing social and health-affecting habits. As a man and woman grow, these different changes will help him or her to form a wide variety of views on life. How social and intimate relationship has changed over time and identification of various roles changes during early and middle age. Lastly the direct and future influence the healthy and unhealthy behaviors experienced during early and middle adulthood. Social and Intimate relationship change In early adulthood, it’s a time of independence, identity seeking, and lifestyle forming. During this time, kids are graduating leaving their parents home starting new relationships and developing a life of their own. Erikson believed that people need constant contact with others throughout their lives, from birth to death, whether that contact is romantic intimacy or a relationship with friends and family. The time has changed where young adults were getting married fresh out of high school. Now middle adults are waiting until mid thirty’s are longer to have children and get married. Parents who waited longer to have children and who had highly educated degrees have a greater loss in happiness following...

Words: 1084 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Challenges in Late Adulthood

...THE CHANGES IN LATER ADULTHOOD VIRGIE BALL WEEK 4 Late adulthood can bring on many changes in your loved one’s life. These changes can range from retirement, physical and mental issues and/or loss of a spouse, children1 or close friend; however, these changes can be very terrifying. Later adulthood can be divided into two groups, the young old which are the ages of 65-74 and many of them still work, travel and have regular social lifestyles. Old old ages 75+ and many struggle with keeping their independence, loss of social interaction, activities and all the medical issues that have arose in their life. These changes can also open the door for many psychological changes, but not all bad. The good changes can lead one to feel free to finally really live their lives and do some of the things they’ve only dreamed of, some call it a bucket list. Others suffer from these changes with worrying, depression and fear which can cause other medical issues such as heart attacks and high blood pressure. Physically, an older adult’s activity level can slowly decrease. Walking can become difficult, eye sight, hear and intellectual functions can change leaving them to lose their presence in society. Older adults can continue to live in their own homes with very little incidents or worries. Others, due to severe medical and/or physical issues will need 24 hour care and assistance. This kind of care and help can either be impossible to provide in the home or very expensive....

Words: 617 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Childhood vs. Adulthood

...Savanna Gonzalez English 1301 Christine Morgan October 20, 2014 Childhood VS. Adulthood As we go through our life we have two important parts and those include the time of childhood and adulthood. It is all a matter of how you see both time periods. Although both are key stages in life, the responsibility free and fun loving lifestyle of childhood is nostalgic. One major difference between childhood and adult hood is that children are able to be free in their behavior. For example, children can make all these notable mistakes because as a young child that is when you are starting to learn right from wrong, so you will not get severally punished. Plus young children can also be silly all the time and not be as serious about certain situations. It is like a care free sense of behavior because you do not do things to impress or get people to think highly of you. Plus a child`s behavior is full of boundless energy it is like you are never tired. Unlike when you are an adult your behavior should be on point always on the streets, at work, and with family. Because as an adult you should already know right from wrong and it is not as easy to get away with your mistakes or abnormal behaviors. As an adult you also have to be more serious about almost every situation you are faced with you cannot just blow it off carelessly. You would have to tend to it. Not to mention that your energy level basically decreases the older you get so an adult just feels more drained. Children...

Words: 720 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Perspectives on Changes in Adulthood

...Perspectives on Changes in Adulthood BSHS 342 May 13, 2010 Dr. Margaret Garberina Perspectives on Changes in Adulthood Everyone has his or her own philosophy of how a person changes during early, middle, and late adulthood. My personal philosophy is it depends on the person’s situation. If a person is married and has children, he or she will go through aging differently from a person who is single and never had children. The following paragraphs will explain my philosophy on what changes a person goes through in his or her activities, relationships, health, and mental health in each stage of adulthood. Activities During early adulthood, a person is very active. They are hanging out with friends, working out, and enjoying life any way they can. A person in early adulthood has more stamina and is more willing to do more cutting edge activities, such as bungee jumping, cliff jumping, and white water rafting. If they have children, their activities will consist more off raising their children and playing with them. Whereas a person who does not have children will do whatever they want to do because he or she are not tied down to one place. A person in middle adulthood still has energy, but maybe not as much as they did when he or she was younger. They still are hanging out with friends, and working out. A person in middle adulthood would rather stay home during the evenings than wanting to go out to the bars and stay out all night. If they have children, their...

Words: 1006 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Early and Middle Adulthood

...Early and Middle Adulthood Francisco Del Angel PSY/280 February 15, 2013 Shannon Hilligoss Early and Middle Adulthood In this paper, early and Middle adulthood will be compared and contrasted. It will show how the decisions made earlier in age may or may not affect people. This paper will go through the changes of social and intimate relationships in these two different age frames as well as the various role changes people in this age group might encounter. It’ll talk about health problems and the reasons for these problems. In early adult hood the age range is 18-25. Around this time frame people tend to break away from social ties and begin to become independent from their parents. They move out the house and go to college or simply get their own apartment to gain ultimate independence. They choose not to be committed to anyone, like a serious girlfriend to avoid marriage or children. It was thought that in order to be intimate you were to be serious with someone and possibly get married and have children. However early adults are beginning to discover that marriage and parenthood are only two of several ways paths to go through when in search of intimacy. One of the main sources of intimacy for emerging adults is friendship. This is especially true for those who do in fact break away from their parents and choose not to be married or have children of their own. Usually men and women prefer friends of the same sex so they can participate in same sex activities to...

Words: 1283 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Early and Middle Adulthood

...Early and Middle Adulthood Nakia Spates PSY/280 February 3, 2012 Michael Moore Early and Middle Adulthood The person must learn how to form intimate relationships, both in friendship and love. The development of this skill relies on the resolution of other stages. It may be hard to establish intimacy if one has not developed trust or a sense of identity. If this skill is not learned the alternative is alienation, isolation, a fear of commitment, and the inability to depend on others. Early adulthood you experience freedom and mistakes due to you becoming a young adult or somewhat anxious to get away from mom and dad. Some young adult are very careless with relationships as well as sexual acts too, which would change everything meaningless and unprotected sex usually ends up pregnancy. The intimacy comes in later adolescence and is marked by the teen's ability to sustain a relationship in which self-fulfillment is balanced with the desire to satisfy another's needs. Such a relationship is characterized by the ability to combine affection, sexuality, and friendship all in one. One can...

Words: 799 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Personal Perspective on Changes in Adulthood

...Personal Perspective On Changes in Adulthood Lisa North BSHS/342 September 3, 2012 Stephanie Haywood Personal Perspective on Changes in Adulthood The Early Years My perspectives on lifestyle changes in all phases of adulthood have changed drastically over the years. Different choices, influences, and situations play a part in adult’s choices that they make throughout their early, middle, and late adulthood years. Some of the issues that play a part in the lifestyle changes for adults are married, divorced or single, kids or childless, addictions, jobs, siblings, and childhood experiences. All of the issues help to explain many of the lifestyle changes that adults make over the years. Early adulthood is the years from 20-40 years of age. They can bring many changes in a person’s life. Some may choose to get married, have children, and go to either work or college or attempt to do while others may choose a different route. At this stage of their lives he or she is still attempting to find themselves and to adjust to the “real world.” This is also the time when they move out of their parent’s house and into their own or share a place with their friends. By the age of 40 they should be settled down and have grown up and have become responsible members of society. At this stage relationships between friends and romantic relationships may begin to change also. Friendships from childhood and adolescence could become less important and he or she may begin to pull...

Words: 1351 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Young and Middle Adulthood Case Studies

...Young and Middle Adulthood Case Studies Yoneisha Maple BSHS/325 MAY, 23, 2016 Barbara Kennedy In life we all go through many changes. One of the changes that all of us endure is relationships. From childhood to adulthood we go through different changes and experience different relationships. This can be caused by many environmental and social factors. In the case study about Tina, it was caused by her ex-husband leaving her for a younger woman. Her role changes from early to middle adulthood will be discussed as well as the effects of healthy or unhealthy habits as well. Tina is a 45 year old woman with three children, Jackson, Oliver, and Crystal. Tina’s relationships have changed from young adulthood to middle adulthood. Tina’s three adult children live in her house with her. Tina’s ex-husband left her for a younger more attractive female. So Tina is now very obsessed with keeping her appearance up. She spends many hours at the gym working out, and a lot of time running, obsessing over staying in shape. Tina has not been satisfied with her progress at the gym so she has increased her exercising routine to 4 hours a day, which leaves less time to spend with the man she is dating, Michael. She is so obsessed with exercising and the way she looks it is affecting their relationship. She also spends a lot of time away from Michael, whom she has been dating for 5 years. Michael wants to marry Tina, but has second thoughts because of her lifestyle and the fact that...

Words: 812 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Speech Outline for What Are the Biggest Challenges Adults Face Today

...What I see as the biggest challenges young adults face today A. General Purpose- The general purpose of this speech is to inform people on what I think are the biggest challenges that young adults face today. B. Specific Purpose-The specific purpose is to persuade young adults to make better choices to overcome their present (and future) challenges. C. Central idea- I think that young adults should consider their futures. I also believe that they should follow the past life examples of the generations before them and use them as a blueprint to their lives. Introduction One of the contributing challenges in a young adult’s life is the factor of employability that many face in this day and age. A. Key point #1 The lack of employability caused by criminal convictions. B. Key point #2 The lack of education. C. Key point #3 The absence of work ethics. II. Body of the Presentation A. Main Point #1-Young adults sometimes make lifestyle choices that are detrimental to their future. 1. Supporting material-Some young adults make choices to indulge in criminal activity. 2. Supporting material-A lot of young adults adopt the “Sink or swim” mindset because of a sense of urgency causing them to do so. B. Main Point #2-Many young adults believe in coasting through life without lack of responsibility, thus not achieving educational goals. 1. Supporting material-Many young adults still have their parents assisting them in this mode of...

Words: 338 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Super’s Life Span Theory

...Donald Super Developmental self-concept Donald Super’s career model is based on the belief that self-concept changes over time and develops as a result of experience. [pic] One of Donald Super’s greatest contributions to career development has been his emphasis on the importance of the development of self-concept. According to Super, self-concept changes over time and develops as a result of experience. As such, career development is lifelong. Super’s five life and career development stages Super developed the theories and work of colleague Eli Ginzberg. Super felt that Ginzberg’s work had weaknesses, which he wanted to address. Super extended Ginzberg’s work on life and career development stages from three to five, and included different sub-stages. |Stage 1: Growth |Age 0–14 |Characteristics: Development of self-concept, attitudes, needs and general world | | | |of work | |Stage 2: Exploration |Age 15–24 |Characteristics: “Trying out” through classes, work experience, hobbies. Tentative| | | |choice and skill development | |Stage 3: Establishment |Age 25–44 |Characteristics: Entry-level skill building and stabilisation through work | | ...

Words: 403 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Paper

...Paper on Changes in Adulthood Amylyn Thomas University of Phoenix Change is a word that is said often but not many realize how much it affects their lives. As people grow, they change in each stage. The changes that occur during early, middle, and late adulthood are physical, emotional, cognitive, and developmental. As people grow, these changes help them to form personalities, and views on life. They go to college, get married, have children of their own, work for many years, and retire. It is smart to remember that change is a part of life and development and without it we do not become the people that they become. The first stage that will be discussed is early adulthood. There are many changes that occur during this stage because this is when the person goes from high school to college which is a new experience. This is the transition into adulthood because they start to think about their future. They decide on the degree that will impact what job field they will go into, start their finical stability and start to develop intimate and professional relationships. The physical aspect of early adulthood is biological aging. Biological aging begins in early adulthood and continues until death. There are many theories to biological aging. One theory is that the existence of aging genes that control the biological changes. These genes can control menopause, gray hair and the determination of body cells. One physical aspect is cardiovascular and repistroy systems...

Words: 1090 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Life Stages Interviews and Reports

...Life Stages Interviews and Reports Everyone perspectives on lifestyle changes in all phases of adulthood have changed drastically over the years. Different choices, influences, and situations play a part in adult’s choices that they make throughout his or her young early, middle, and late adulthood years. Team A has conducted three interviews that focus on each stage of adulthood. The interview will cover some of the biological factors, cognitive factors, psychosocial factors, and cultural factors that influence the interviewees. All of the issues help to explain many of the lifestyle changes that adults make over the years. Young Adulthood The first interview conducted focused on the early stage of adulthood. A young woman age 25 by the name of Kelsey was asked a series of questions to help us gain some insight on her stage of development and allow her responses to be analyzed. I began with questions regarding her physical stage of development. I asked Kelsey how she feels about her physical state and what she does to take care of herself. Her response explained that she believes that she is in pretty good health although she does not have to do too much to stay that way. She reported that she eats fast- food a few times a week due to her busy schedule, but she does make time to exercise at least three times a week. She is a college student at the local college and she is also working part-time. I asked if there are any apparent differences between your previous physical...

Words: 2253 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Social Development Research Paper

...Social Development Research • A study was done to examine violent behavior from ages 13 to 21 and identified predictors at age 10. • 55% of youth engaged in violence in adolescence, but desisted from any violence in early adulthood. • 16% of people persisted in violent behaviors at age 21. • The analysis performed and referred to in this article found that factors loaded consistently on three components, which were labeled; Early Individual Characteristics, Early Pro-social Development, and Early Antisocial influences. Explain why you chose this topic and article: I chose the topic (childhood risk factors for persistence of violence in the transition of adulthood) because violence among children has become more and more common over the years. It is not unheard of to hear a child brought a gun, knife, or even a hand grenade to school. I was curious to learn what characteristics were shown in these type of children and what the likely hood was for them to turn around their lifestyle as an adult. Key points of the article: The key points in this article were the numbers given during and after the study. It showed that more than half of youth that were engaged in violence in their childhood years retracted from any violence in early adulthood. The article also made it a point to inform that some differences in risk profiles did develop after combining risk and protective factors into component scales that were based on results of the principal components analysis. If you...

Words: 405 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Psy 201 Week 6

...self. This poor sense of self might be hidden down deep until a certain age like our early 40’s where we begin to reflect back on our life. Missing a maternal love as a child has repercussions in adulthood that can result in no success being good enough to satisfy the adults need to compensate for the missing maternal love. A mid-life crisis is a topic that has always interested me. Some men and women use the term mid-life crisis as an excuse for any bad behavior or mistakes they make in their early to mid-40’s. The cause behind a mid-life crisis has always interested me, knowing that someone did not wake up one day and decide to spend an obscene amount of money on a little sports car or commit adultery after a very loving marriage. In a male child’s life, a mother plays a very large role in creating a healthy sense of self and belonging. It only makes sense that for any male that is lacking a loving maternal relationship will suffer social-development setbacks at some point in their life. When reaching a certain point in our life we are all guilty of looking back over our life at our accomplishments and failures, however most of us are well equipped to be proud of our accomplishments and realize what our failures are allowing us to continue moving along in our adulthood with no major hiccups. This article would be a terrific asset to any research paper regarding a mid-life crisis, especially a research...

Words: 421 - Pages: 2