Early Adulthood Observation
Adrienne Lindsey PSYC 2314.01 Early Adulthood Observation Observation Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Time: 5:00-8:00PM Location: Adults Home OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS Q was a 19 year old black male. He was in the Erickson’s intimacy vs. isolation stage. Areas of observation include physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development. Physical Development Q has reached maximum body growth and biological aging or senescence has begun. Biological ageing is “genetically influenced declines in the functioning of organs and systems that are universal in all members of our species” (Berk, 2010, p. 432). Q exercises daily but he admits that he doesn’t eat a healthy diet all the time. “Regular moderate to vigorous exercise predicts a healthier longer life” (Berk, 2010, p. 443). Also, “when too much saturated fat is consumed, some of it is converted to cholesterol, which accumulates as plaque on the arterial walls in atherosclerosis” (Berk, 2010, p. 441). Q was stressing about getting into college, helping his mother with bills, and finding a job. This is psychological development, “chronic stress resulting from economic hardships is linked to hypertension, which contributes to the high incidence of heart disease in low-income groups, especially African-Americans” (Berk, 2010, p. 450).
Cognitive Development Q has not entered college yet but he knows that it is something he has to do in order to get a good paying job. Study shows that “about 20 percent of recent high school graduates who do not continue their education are unemployed” (Berk, 2010, p. 458). Asked Q what he wanting to do with his life he said he wants to go to art school and become a graphic designer. Realistic period is a vocational development when young adults start to narrow their options first by exploring and then by crystallizing their focus on a single occupation (Berk, 2010, p. 456). This also shows that he is an artistic person a personality type that
References: Berk, L.E. (2010). Development through the lifespan, 5th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.