EARLY
ADULTHOOD
Report By: Dominique Jan V. Balisacan
Characteristics of
Early Adulthood
1 2 3
The life stage called They are typically Yet serious conditions,
early adulthood defines vibrant, active and such as violent events,
individuals between the healthy, and are focused depression and eating
ages of 20 and 35 on friendships, romance, disorders, can
child bearing and negatively impact young
careers. adults
PHYSICAL CHANGES
During early adulthood, individuals will reach their
full height, gain muscle mass, increase body fat, and
reach full reproductive maturity.
Females reach their adult heights by age 18,and, except
for some males who continue to grow in their early 20’s,
most have reached their adult heights by the age of 21.
Beyond the growth spurts, other physical changes that
happen in both males and females include body odor,
acne, and more body hair. Females will see changes in
where fat appears on their body.
PHYSICAL CHANGES
Vision, muscle strength, hearing,
reproductive ability, motor ability, and
lung strength are all at their best in our
mid-twenties.
Those in their early twenties are probably
at the peak of their physiological
development, including muscle strength,
reaction time, sensory abilities, and
cardiac functioning.
C O G N I T I V E In Early Adulthood, essential brain growth
C H A N G E S now applying and using their knowledge, and
already has taken place, and individuals are
analytical capabilities.
The brain reaches its final stage of growth
during this period. Thoughts shift from a
dualistic perspective (viewing things in
terms of absolutes) to a more nuanced
view of the world where multiple opinions
and multiple solutions can be applied to a
single issue.
Additionally, many theorists, such as
Jean Piaget (1896-1980) noted a
significant difference between adult
and adolescent thinking. Adults have
more flexibility in their thought
patterns, understanding that there
are multiple opinions on issues, and
that there is more than one way to
approach a problem.
They are focused on developing their
careers and achieving independence
from their families- a crucial
requirement for balanced, well
functioning adults.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES
Theorist Erik Erikson (1902-1994)
maintained that individuals develop in
psychosocial stages, and that early
adulthood marks the time when
individuals seek to form intimate
relationships. And Sigmund Freud (1856-
1939) argued that a healthy adult is one
who can “love and work.” Simply stated,
this developmental stage is
characterized by relationships and work.
Developmental Tasks
1. Achieving autonomy: trying to establish
oneself as an independent person with a
life of one’s own
2. Establishing identity: more firmly
establishing likes, dislikes, preferences, and
philosophies
3. Developing emotional stability: becoming
more stable emotionally which is
considered a sign of maturing
4. Establishing a career: deciding on and
pursuing a career or at least an initial
career direction and pursuing an education
Developmental Tasks
6. Finding intimacy: forming first close,
long-term relationships
7. Becoming part of a group or
community: young adults may, for the
first time, become involved with various
groups in the community. They may begin
voting or volunteering to be part of civic
organizations (scouts, church groups,
etc.). This is especially true for those who
participate in organizations as parents.
Developmental Tasks
8. Establishing a residence and
learning how to manage a household:
learning how to budget and keep a
home maintained.
9. Becoming a parent and rearing
children: learning how to manage a
household with children.
10. Making marital or relationship
adjustments and learning to parent.
Thank You For
Listening!
Good Night!
