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Week 6 Assignment: Emerging Adulthood

Rodney Ivery

American Public University System

Prof. Twanda Grey

13-07-2025
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Emerging Adulthood: A Lifespan Critical Stage

Introduction

Developmental psychology recently introduced emerging adulthood as a stage between

adolescence and adulthood. Emerging adulthood, coined by Jeffrey Arnett in 2000, normally

covers 18–25, but some researchers extend it until the late 20s. This time involves exploration,

identity building, and many chances and difficulties. Emerging adulthood supports the lifespan

view that development is a lifelong, multidirectional process impacted by biological,

psychological, and societal variables (Baltes & Staudinger, 2000). Understand this stage to

understand how people traverse the complicated road from reliance to independence.

The lifetime approach, developed by Baltes (1987), holds that development entails gains

and losses throughout life. It assumes lifelong, multidimensional, malleable, and multiple-

interacting force development (Baltes & Staudinger, 2000). This concept includes emerging

adulthood, a unique phase with its own developmental pathways and duties. This stage emerged

due to cultural developments such delayed marriage and family, longer schooling, and more

professional exploration.

Emerging Adulthood Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Features

Emerging adulthood differs cognitively, emotionally, and socially from adolescence and

adulthood. Cognitively, this level involves sophisticated reasoning and postformal cognition.

Unlike teenagers, emerging adults use relativistic thinking to recognize that information is

contextual and solutions are not necessarily black and white (Perry, 1981). Cognitive flexibility

helps with complicated decision-making and problem-solving.

Emerging adults suffer emotional instability, or "identity exploration in love and work."

Emerging adults have emotional highs and lows as they seek autonomy and purpose, unlike

adolescents and adults who are regularly supervised. Changes in relationships, schooling, and

job objectives may indicate instability.

Self-focus and in-betweenness characterize this time socially. Emerging adults generally

postpone marriage, profession, and housing. This leads to intensive self-discovery sans society

pressures. Adolescence, where peer pressure is higher, and adulthood, where obligations

dominate life decisions, do not have these social patterns.

Impacts on Identity and Decision-Making

Identity formation is greatly affected by emerging maturity. Erikson's psychosocial

development theory emphasizes identity vs role uncertainty in adolescence. Emerging maturity

prolongs research and experimentation (Dacey, Travers, & Fiore, 2008).

This longer timeframe supports Marcia's identity status hypothesis of accomplishment,

moratorium, foreclosure, and dissemination. Emerging adults typically explore without

committing (Dacey et al., 2008). A healthy sense of self and value-based life choices depend on

this exploration.

Cognitive maturity and emotions affect developing adulthood decision-making.

Although executive function brain areas continue to grow into the mid-20s, these decisions

remain crucial. Education, relationships, and occupations determine future stability (Sternberg,

1988).

Emerging Adulthood Developmental Tasks and Challenges

Several developmental activities define this life stage:

 Identity Development: Emerging adults explore values, work, and relationships deeply.

 Career Preparation: Many young individuals are in school or applying for employment to

test their possibilities. Trial and error time.

 Relationship Formation: Romantic connections deepen but commitment is postponed.

Priorities may change friendships.

 Individuals gain financial and emotional independence from their family.

 Moral and Ethical Development: Diverse experiences change beliefs (Perry, 1981).

This era presents uncertainty, worry, and societal pressure. Many young adults have a

"quarter-life crisis," emotional upheaval caused by unrealistic expectations. Confusion and

tension might result from unclear social standards during this period (Levinson, 1990b).

Growth and Resilience Opportunities

Despite these hurdles, entering adulthood offers many possibilities. Health, cognition,

and social mobility are typical. This fosters resilience and adaptation. Travel, education, new

friends, and introspection help people evolve.

Belenky, Bond, and Weinstock (1997) say discourse, reflection, and support encourage

development. Mentorship and career initiatives in schools and communities help young adults

succeed.

This stage's developmental flexibility makes treatments long-lasting. Positive role

models, supportive connections, and mental health services reduce risks and improve well-being.

This supports the lifetime perspective's emphasis on transformation at any age (Baltes &

Staudinger, 2000).
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Society's Impact on Young Adulthood

Emerging adulthood is heavily influenced by society. Marriage and childbirth have been

delayed by formal schooling. The median age for first marriage in the U.S. was 29.5 for males

and 27.4 for women in 2016, up significantly from prior decades (Statistic Brain, 2016).

Cultural norms also matter. Emerging adults may assume adult duties sooner or be

pressured to comply in collectivist societies that stress family commitments. Job market

volatility and student debt impact how young folks plan their futures. Digital and social media

use affects self-image, relationships, and mental health.

Personal Reflection

As a young adult, I can connect to many of the concepts mentioned. Like many, I studied

and considered numerous careers before choosing one. I had emotional ups and downs,

especially with self-doubt and employment uncertainties. However, the freedom and liberty of

this era allowed me to travel, make great connections, and grow personally.

My experience matches this stage's identity discovery and self-focus, according to the

research. However, my established support system shielded me from more serious issues like

financial difficulty. This shows how context affects outcomes.

I learned more about emerging adulthood as a complicated, dynamic, and crucial stage

from this project. Supporting and understanding people in this stage is now important to me.

This understanding improves my academic viewpoint and how I connect with classmates and

younger people going through similar transformations.

In conclusion, Emerging adulthood is a crucial time of discovery, development, and

change. It depicts development as continual, diverse, and impacted by individual and social

forces, reflecting the lifetime approach. This time affects identity and decision-making through

cognitive, emotional, and social changes. Challenges provide development and resilience

chances. Understanding and helping people during this period promotes healthier, more

adaptable adulthood.
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References

Baltes, P. B., & Staudinger, U. M. (2000). Wisdom: A metaheuristic (pragmatic) to orchestrate

mind and virtue toward excellence. American Psychologist, 55 (1), 122–136.

Belenky, M. F., Bond, L. A., & Weinstock, J. S. (1997). A tradition that has no name: Nurturing

the development of people, families, and communities. New York: Basic Books, Inc.

Dacey, J. S., Travers, J. F. & Fiore, L. (2008). Human development across the lifespan. McGraw

Hill Publishing.

Horn, J. L. (1975). Psychometric studies of aging and intelligence. New York: Raven Press.

(DACEY 541)

Levinson, D. (1990b). A theory of life structure development in adulthood. In C. N. Alexander &

E. J. Langer (Eds.), Higher states of human development. New York: Oxford University

Press, 35–54.

Perry, W. (1981). Cognitive and ethical growth. In A. Chickering (Ed.), The modern American

college. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Statistic Brain (2016). Retrieved December 19, 2016, from http://www.statisticbrain.com/gay-

marriage-statistics.

Sternberg, R. (1988). The triarchic mind: A new theory of human intelligence. New York: Viking