CHAPTER 19: EMERGING ADULTHOOD PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Erikson Intimacy Friendship Romance Emotional Development

Psychosocial Dev. in Emerging Adulthood is Characterized by Diversity

Young adults have more freedom to choose their own paths The route to being settled takes longer
Between

18-27 the average worker changes jobs eight times, spends five + years unmarried, when marries has a 50% chance of divorcing, and conceives one or two children Self-esteem tends to rise with the highest gains for those living away from home attending college; those still living at home or a single parent showed the least (but still more positive than high school)

Identity Achievement

Emerging adults are typically reaching identity achievement after greater exploration of vocational, ethnic, gender identity
Most

identify with more specific ethnic groups Have friends of many different ethnic backgrounds but tend to gravitate more toward own ethnic background in romantic relationships Many work in various jobs further articulating what the want/dont from work life

Eriksons 6th Stage

Intimacy v. Isolation
Emerging

adults seek someone with whom to share their lives in an enduring and self-sacrificing commitment. Without this commitment, risk aloneness and isolation

Intimacy

Need for affiliation, affection, interdependence, communication, belonging, and love may come from friends, lovers, spouse, or all three

Friends

Researchers show friends are excellent buffers against stress, a guide toward self-awareness, and to provide joy - CHOSEN Choosing Friends (Gateways to Attraction)
Physical attractiveness Apparent availability Absence of exclusion criteria Frequent exposure

Gender Differences
Men tend to share activities and interests and talk more about external matters Female friendships ten to be more intimate & emotional more self-disclosing

Development of Love

Personal preferences, mutual interactions, developmental stages, gender differences, socioeconomic forces, and historical/cultural contexts all play into love Gateways of attraction important
Marrying later (most 20-30 are not married) and divorcing more often In 1/3 of countries love doesnt lead to marriage In U.S. expected to fall in love several times until they are able financially and emotionally, to be independent from parents which is pushing the marriage date later

Sternbergs Dimensions of Love

Three distinct aspects of love:

Passion,

Intimacy, Commitment Often occur developmentally in that order 7 forms of love Most in America say looking for consummate love (which has all three)

Cohabitation

Living together in a committed sexual relationship but are not formally married
Beliefs

about cohabitation to marriage transition are often inaccurate Tend to be less happy, healthy, and satisfied with financial status than married folks Divorce rates are somewhat higher for those who have cohabited first Statistics may start to change as more cohabitate

What makes relationships work?

Compatibility
Homogamy

& Heterogamy Social Homogamy increases commitment Social Exchange Theory

Conflict
Level

of emotional sensitivity during conflict Fighting

Fair Demand/withdraw interaction is a destructive pattern 7 positive for every one negative Constructive communication

Linked Lives

Families are still VERY essential in the life of an emerging adult Parents continue to be crucial (even more so than previous generations)
While

greater independence is important, families play a supportive presence with finances, guidance/support, and sometimes with grandchildren Financially, receives cash from parents in terms of tuition, medical care, food, and material support Non-material support with laundry, moving, repairs, if a parent free childcare.