The ABCDE model, which includes Acquaintanceship, Build-Up, Continuation, Deterioration, and Ending, can be utilized to elucidate friendships and relationships in adulthood.
As per the ABCDE model, relationships undergo various stages that are influenced by factors such as mutual attraction, knowledge about one another, effective communication, and the perceived significance of the friendship.
Deterioration of relationships may transpire due to the establishment of new friendships and the availability of alternative relationships. These factors determine the attention given to a relationship.
Sternberg’s triangle of love suggests that relationships are founded on passion, intimacy, and commitment.
In early stages of a relationship, passion is high while commitment and intimacy are relatively low. However, as a relationship progresses, passion diminishes. Emotional intimacy is crucial for a relationship’s longevity – without it, the relationship is likely to conclude.
The phase of emerging adulthood, which typically occurs from ages 18 to 29, is a period characterized by self-exploration and the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. According to Jeffery Arnett, individuals in this stage engage in exploring new career paths, educational options, relationships, and forming their identity. This time is marked by change and potential uncertainty as individuals navigate the shift from high school to college or adult life. Some may choose to start a family instead of pursuing further education or a career. During emerging adulthood, there is a decrease in reliance on parents as individuals establish their own living arrangements and take on adult responsibilities. Erik Erikson proposed that personality development during this stage results from the interplay between internal maturation processes and external societal pressures.
According to him, there are 8 stages that individuals go through, following a predetermined order. These stages are: basic trust vs. mistrust (birth – 1 year), autonomy vs. shame and doubt (1 – 3 years), initiative vs. guilt (3 – 6 years), industry vs. inferiority (6 years – adolescence), identity vs. identity confusion (adolescence), intimacy vs. isolation (young adulthood), generativity vs. stagnation (middle adulthood) and integrity vs. despair (late life). When considering adulthood, there are two separate stages in the psychosocial theory of development. The first stage involves intimacy vs. isolation, where adults seek to establish a loving and long-lasting relationship. The second stage is generativity vs. stagnation.
During adulthood, individuals may strive to contribute to younger generations through child care or other forms of interaction. In young and middle adulthood, intelligence shows both improvements and declines. Post formal thinking is the recognition that one’s own perspective is just one of many potential valid views in a given situation, considering the numerous variables and inconsistencies in life. Reflective judgment is how adults reason to identify a general concept or universal principle that can encompass these variables, including current affairs, religion, science, and personal relationships. To achieve the best outcome when making decisions, adults must utilize both post formal thinking and reflective judgment. Employment plays a crucial role in shaping one’s identity as it determines their place of residence, social circle, and even fashion choices.
Employment offers individuals a feeling of worth and autonomy, as well as the ability to support themselves independently. The self-perception of an individual is shaped by four key aspects of employment: personal growth, social connections, self-expression, and aiding others. It is crucial to strike a balance between these factors because losing oneself entirely to work can have negative consequences. In such instances, it may be necessary to make changes in life.
Fluid intelligence refers to cognitive abilities that enable individuals to comprehend connections between concepts and engage in flexible and adaptive thinking. It facilitates the understanding of different perspectives. Crystallized intelligence, on the other hand, is knowledge acquired through life experiences and education within a specific cultural context. William Perry proposed a progression of thinking that starts with dualistic thinking – a simple view of right or wrong – and evolves towards multiple thinking, which involves considering various perspectives. This type of thinking combines elements of both fluid and crystallized intelligence. Perry envisioned relativistic thinking as the ultimate form, where multiple viewpoints can be simultaneously valid depending on an individual’s contextual relationship.
The concept of mid-life crisis is widely acknowledged as a reality due to its prevalence in popular culture. Many people expect to experience it, supported by numerous surveys conducted in the United States confirming its existence. Some theorists suggest that individuals going through mid-life crises may have underlying issues such as psychopathy. However, most theorists argue that for average individuals, midlife is not inherently more or less stressful than any other stage of life.
The concept of a mid-life transition is now considered more acceptable compared to a crisis. Instead of intense decision-making, this period is characterized by unique challenges and issues that need to be navigated.
There are three main categories of biological theories on aging: the wear and tear theory, cellular theories, and programmed cell death theories. According to the wear and tear theory, the body is similar to a machine that will eventually deteriorate and wear out. The deterioration of protective cartilage may lead to pain and stiffness. Cellular theories propose that cells have a limited number of divisions before they die. Programmed cell death theories suggest that cells begin self-destructing once reaching a specific age.
It should be noted that aging is not solely caused by environmental factors encountered throughout one’s life. For example, if an individual worked in a noisy factory for most of their life, any potential hearing loss would be attributed to the exposure rather than the aging process. Similarly, spending time working on a farm or outdoors can result in excess wrinkles on the face due to sun exposure rather than aging.
Potential age-related changes can occur in vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, respiratory health, skeletal strength, and muscular structure. Regarding vision changes specifically, impairments in perceiving a full spectrum of colors may occur.
As individuals age, their bodies undergo a variety of changes. This includes structural modifications in the eyes which reduce the amount of light entering them, impacting vision in low-light situations. Additionally, there is typically a decline in hearing ability to perceive high-pitched sounds.
The aging process also affects cardiovascular and respiratory health. Arteries become less flexible, resulting in restricted blood flow and impaired breathing. Furthermore, the aging of skeletal muscles leads to joint stiffness and thinning cartilage.
Aging also alters the brain. Over time, there is a decrease in white matter, causing slower reactions and longer response times for unfamiliar questions. However, individuals may still respond quickly to tasks they frequently practice or experience on a regular basis such as daily living skills. Nevertheless, short-term memory declines due to reduced storage capacity for new information in the prefrontal area of the brain.
In contrast, long-term memory remains intact but retrieving memories may take longer due to deteriorating connections within the brain.
Regarding psychosocial aging, limitations are considered across multiple domains according to the competence-environmental press theory which includes physical health sensory-perceptual skills motor skills cognitive skills ,and ego strength.
Environmental press refers to the physical, interpersonal, and social demands placed on individuals. Effective adaptation occurs when there is a balance between a person’s abilities and the demands of their environment, also known as environmental “press.” This equilibrium can change over time. Following the loss of a loved one, individuals may experience various normal reactions, including disbelief, sadness, guilt, confusion, loneliness, happiness, denial, anger, fear, shock, hatred, anxiety, emptiness, relief, helplessness, acceptance, and even apathy. Grief is an active process that requires individuals to work through several emotional tasks. These include acknowledging the reality of the loss, navigating emotional turmoil, adjusting to the absence of the deceased, and gradually relinquishing ties with them. Initially, the grieving process often involves denial and disbelief – a sense that this cannot be happening. Once acceptance of the loss is reached, the grieving individual must then confront the emotional turmoil associated with accepting the reality that life can continue without their loved one; this entails gradually letting go.
