Human Growth and
Development
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Early Adulthood
20-40
Most productive life stage!
Physical Development:
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Complete
Muscles are developed and strong
Motor coordination is at its peak
Prime childbearing time and usually produces the
healthiest babies
Both male and female sexual development is at its peak
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Early Adulthood
Mental Development:
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Many young adults pursue additional education
to establish and progress in their chosen careers
Dealing with independence
Career choices
Establishes a lifestyle
Select a marital partner
Establish values
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Early Adulthood
Emotional Development:
Young adults are subjected to many emotional
stresses:
 Career
 Marriage
 Family
If emotional structure is strong, most can cope
with these worries.
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Early Adulthood
Social Development
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Young adults move away from peer group
and tend to associate with others who
have similar ambitions and interests.
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Find a mate and form a family
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Middle Adulthood
40-65
Physical Adulthood
Changes Begin to Occur:
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Hair tends to gray and thin
Skin begins to wrinkle
Muscle tone tends to decrease
Hearing loss starts
Visual acuity declines
Weight gain occurs
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Middle Adulthood
Females experience “menopause”
End of menstruation
 Decreased hormonal production causes
physical and emotional changes
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Middle Adulthood
Mental Development:
Mental ability can continue to increase
during middle age.
 Some seek formal education
 Acquire an understanding of life
 More confident in decision making and
excellent at analyzing situations
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Middle Adulthood
Males
 Experience a slowing of hormone
production
 Physical and psychological changes
 Never lose the ability to produce sperm or
to reproduce.
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Middle Adulthood
Emotional Development:
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Job stability, financial success, the end of
child rearing, and good health from
disease prevention can all contribute to
emotional satisfaction.
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Middle Adulthood
Social Development:
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Family relationships change
Work relationships frequently replace family.
Relationship between husband and wife can
become stronger
However, divorce rates are high in this age
group
Friendships are with people who have the same
interests and lifestyles.
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Late Adulthood
65+
People are living longer and the number of
people in this age group is increasing
daily.
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Late Adulthood
Physical Development:
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On the decline
All body systems are affected
Skin becomes dry, wrinkled, and thinner
Age spots appear
Hair becomes thing and loses its shine
Bones become more brittle and porous and are
more likely to fracture or break
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Late Adulthood
Cartilage between the vertebrae thins and
can lead to a stopping posture
 Muscles lose tone and strength, which can
lead to fatigue an poor coordination.
 Decline in the function of the nervous
system can lead to hearing loss,
decreased visual acuity, and decreased
tolerance for temperatures that are too hot
or too cold.
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Late Adulthood
Memory loss can occur, and reasoning
ability can diminish.
 Heart is less efficient, and circulation
decreases
 Kidney and bladder are less efficient
 Breathing capacity decreases and causes
shortness of breath.
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Late Adulthood
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It is important to note that these changes
usually occur slowly over a long period of
time.
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Many individuals, because of better health
and living conditions, do not show physical
changes of aging until their seventies and
even eighties.
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Late Adulthood
Mental Development:
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Elderly people who remain mentally active
and are willing to learn new things tend to
show fewer signs of decreased mental
ability.
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Late Adulthood
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Short-term memory is usually first to
decline.
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Diseases such as Alzheimer's can lead to
irreversible loss of memory, deterioration
or intellectual functions, speech and gait
disturbances, and disorientation.
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Late Adulthood
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Arteriosclerosis can also decrease the
blood supply to the brain and cause a
decrease in mental abilities.
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Late Adulthood
Emotional Development
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Some elderly people cope well with
stresses presented by aging and remain
happy and able to enjoy life.
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Others become lonely, frustrated,
withdrawn, and depressed.
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Late Adulthood
Emotional Distress caused by:
 Death of a spouse and friends
 Retirement
 Physical disabilities
 Financial problems
 Loss of independence
 Knowledge that life must end
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Late Adulthood
Social Development:
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Retirement can lead to a loss of selfesteem.
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Many will engage in new activities and
continue to make social contacts.
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Late Adulthood
Important during this time:
Senior Centers
 Golden Age Groups
 Churches
 Organizations helping elderly find their
new role
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Late Adulthood
Really need a sense of belonging
 Self-esteem
 Financial security
 Social acceptance
 Love
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