Psyc 222
Developmental Psychology II
Unit 3:
EARLY ADULTHOOD
Physical and Cognitive Development
Dean Owen, Ph.D., LPCC
Spring 2011
Physical Development in Childhood and
Adolescence included:
1. Increases in body size
2. Increases in muscular strength
3. Motor coordination improves
4. Sensory systems become fine tuned.
Body systems have reached their peak in terms of size,
capacity and efficiency.
Welcome to early Adulthood…the peak of physical
development…now SENESCENCE, or biological aging will
begin…slowly at first…then more rapidly….
Senescence
Many theories have been proposed to explain the aging process
Aging at the Biochemical and Cellular Level
1. Genetically Programmed Aging
2. Aging as the result of “aging genes”…Telomere
shortening
3. Random Events Theory: Accumulation of random
mutations
4. The Effects of Free Radicals (a byproduct of
oxidation within the cell)
Senescence
Many theories have been proposed to explain the aging process
Aging at the Level of Tissues and Organs
1. Cross Linkage (Elastic-Collagen…protein
structures found in the cells of animals)
2. Gradual failure of the endocrine system
3. Declines in the functioning of the immune system
Physical Changes
1. Cardiovascular system
Hypertension
Atherosclerosis
Causes: Diet / Smoking
Physical Changes
Motor performance
Physical Changes
1. Immune system
T-Cells (Bone Marrow and mature in the thymus)
B-Cells (Bone Marrow then into bloodstream)
Immune system begins a slow decline after 20…
Thymus begins to wither…
Psychological Stress is another and very significant factor….
Physical Changes
Holmes and Rahe
Social Readjustment Scale (1967)
Holmes TH, Rahe RH (1967). "The Social Readjustment Rating Scale". J Psychosomatic
Research 11 (2): 213–8.
Rahe RH, Arthur RJ (1978). "Life change and illness studies: past history and future
directions". J Human Stress, 4 (1): 3–15.
Rahe RH, Mahan JL, Arthur RJ (1970). "Prediction of near-future health change from
subjects' preceding life changes". J Psychosomatic Research, 14 (4):401–6.
Rahe RH, Biersner RJ, Ryman DH, Arthur RJ (1972). Psychosocial predictors of illness and
failure in stressful training. J Health Soc Behav 13 (4): 393–7.
Komaroff AL, Masuda M, Holmes TH (1968). "The social readjustment rating scale: a
comparative study of Negro, Mexican and white Americans". J Psychosom Res
12 (2): 121–8.
Masuda M, Holmes TH (1967). "The Social Readjustment Rating Scale: a cross- cultural
study of Japanese and Americans". J Psychosom Res 11 (2): 227–37.
Woon, T.H.; Masuda, M.; Wagner, N.N.; Holmes, T.H. (1971). The Social
Readjustment Rating Scale: A cross-Cultural study of Malasians and
Americans. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 2 (4): 373.
Physical Changes
1. Reproductive capacity
Age
Reproductive Difficulties
15-29
8%
30-34
14%
35-44
18%
Rapid decline in fertility following….
Health and Fitness
Nutrition
Exercise
Substance Abuse
Ethanol (Alcohol) & cigarette smoking)
Sexual Behavior
Orientation
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual Coercion
Risk taking behaviors
Psychological Stress
Health and Fitness
WELL-STAR
Wellness: Arising from the concepts
of “positive psychology” the term
refers to a constellation of
attitudes and behaviors that are
associated with optimal health
and fitness.
Health and Fitness
Wellness Dimensions
Social Wellness
Occupational Wellness
Spiritual Wellness
Physical Wellness
Intellectual Wellness
Emotional Wellness
Mental Wellness
Medical Wellness
Health and Fitness
Well-Star
Represents a brief and easily used
self-assessment and planning
tool for use by psychologists and
counselors. The tool assess a
variety of wellness related
dimensions including:
Physical Health
Emotional Health
Social Health
Intellectual/Occupational Health
Spiritual Health
Questions or comments ??