Early Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development Proposal

EARLY ADULTHOOD: EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALKara BattonLifespan Development PsychologyTopic: Early Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development ProposalDr. Peggy Lauria9/9/141EARLY ADULTHOOD: EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL2Early Adulthood: Emotional and Social DevelopmentThe growth and development of humans are divided in five broad categories, infancy, preand later childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age or ageing. The early adulthood periodof human life spans 18-40 years of age (Berk, 2007, p 8). In this term paper, emotional andsocial, sometimes also known as psychosocial development during early adulthood will beexplored. Renowned psychosocial theorist Erik Erikson postulated that the human socializationprocess occurs in eight stages, each having its characteristic psychosocial-crisis (Psychology101, November 29, 2011). For satisfactory negotiation of next lifespan stage, each psychosocialstage crisis must be resolved in that stage itself. These crises are like building blocks ofemotional and social development of human beings. The crisis associated with early adulthood,according to Erikson, is Intimacy and Isolation (Erikson, 1968). The adult life is largely aconflict of intimacy vs. independence, and includes differing needs for connection, fears ofabandonment or being overwhelmed, and is demanding in nature. The characteristic virtue ofthis stage is love. The true genitality fully develops in this stage (David & Haverford, 1995). Inthis term paper this crisis, Intimacy and Isolation, will be discussed in depth.The early adulthood span of human life brings the first feelings of being truly free, as inthis stage one gets the sense of independence. In this stage one feels vibrant, active, healthy, andfull of life. The sense and urge of intimacy is prevalent in this stage. In this stage, the focus ison friendship, romance, child bearing, and building career. Being in my early adulthood, I canrelate to the feelings and conflicts of this stage most closely. The changing lifestyle in today’sworld of social media, where people interact more through social media apps than face-to face,the study of psychosocial, emotional and social, development of early adulthood will provide anEARLY ADULTHOOD: EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALopportunity to not only better understand the complexities of this stage, but will make me moreadaptable to the needs and demands of this crucial stage of my life, too. That is why, this topicinterests me much.3EARLY ADULTHOOD: EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALReferencesBerk. L.E. (2007). Development through the Lifespan, 4/e. part 1, chapter 1, p. 8. Pearson,Boston. ISBN: 0-205-49125-1. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pearsonhighered.com/samplechapter/0205491251.pdfDavis D. & Haverford A. C. (1995). Psychosocial Theory: Erikson. Retrieved fromhttp://www.haverford.edu/psych/ddavis/p109g/erikson.stages.htmlErikson E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crises. Norton, New York.Psychology 101 (2011, November 29). Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development. Chapter3-Personality Development. Retrieved fromhttp://allpsych.com/psychology101/social_development.html4