Biological and Physical Development in Early Adulthood

Maturity

Allport’s Dimensions of Maturity• Extension of self is doing something for its own sake,

– not because others want you to, or because it is expected of you.

• Relating warmly to others is developing intimate relations and displaying compassion. trust, empathy

• Emotional security is– accepting emotional responses without letting them take control;– an ability to handle high levels of stress; and– control over emotional expression.

• Realistic perception is perceiving situations accurately.

• Possession of skills and competencies is being aware of skills and displaying pride in personal abilities.

• Knowledge of the self is– knowing what one can do;– knowing what one cannot do; and,– knowing what one ought to do.

• Establishing a unifying philosophy of life is finding a guiding purpose, establishing ideals, identifying needs, developing goals, and adopting values.

Aging at the DNA & Body Cell Level

• Two theories:– Programmed effects of specific genes

• “aging genes”- menopause, gray hair, deterioration of body cells

• Human cell division: ~50 ± 10 divisions– Limit controlled by genes

– Cumulative effects of random events• Cells damaged from mutation: spontaneous or externally

caused• Free radicals• Genes defending against free radicals?

– Vitamin C, E, Beta-Carotene

• Longevity-Family trait

Organs and Tissues

• Cross-linkage theory– Protein fibers that make up the body’s

connective tissue form bonds with one another

• Tissue becomes less elastic• Regular exercise, vitamin rich, low-fat diet

• Failure of the endocrine system– Immune system functioning

Physical Changes

Cardiovascular/respiratory• Hypertension in African-Americans and White

Americans (12 %); Deaths from Heart Disease (47%)

• Hearts ability to meet O2 requirement does not change with age unless “exercised”

• Atherosclerosis of the arteries– Caused by?

• Heart Disease Decrease from: diet, exercise, cig smoking, medical advances for high blood pressure

• Lung functioning does not change with age unless “exercised”: respiratory volume decreases, breathing rate increases.

Motor Performance

• Difficult to separate from decrease in motivation and practice

• Upper limit in beginning of early adulthood

• Lower performance due to reduced capacities from adaptation to a less physically demanding lifestyle

Immune System

• Immune response: specialized cells that neutralize or destroy antigens– T cells-bone marrow attack antigens directly– B cells- bone marrow; antibodies into the bloodstream

that multiply, capture antigens, blood system destroys them.

• Immune systems capacity increases through adolescence but declines after 20

• Difficulty coping with phys. and psych. stress can contribute to declines in immune system

Reproduction

• First births to women over 30 have increased

• Fertility problems increase from 15 to 50 years, sharp rise in mid 30s

• Males after age 40.

Your “Healthy” Lifestyle

• Present your lifestyle profile. – Include descriptions of your eating habits,

exercise, substance use (and/or abuse), and health risks.

• Assess your functioning in all areas. • Where are you succeeding in living well? • What areas do you need to work on? • What is your worst health-threatening

habit? • How might you improve these things to

live a better and healthier life?