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Cognitive Development in |
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Why are we interested in learning about cognitive development? Is there really any difference in the way we think compared with other age groups? Just as young people mature physically and socially, they also develop their thinking and learning abilities. Although we may not realize it, as we progress from adolescence to young adulthood and then on to middle adulthood there are significant changes that occur in the way we think and view the world. There are many theories pertaining to exactly what changes take place in young adults, and when these changes occur. Summarized below are the theories of four noted developmental psychologists.
K. Warner Schaie
According to Schaie, adults progress beyond adolescents only in their use of intellect. We typically switch from actually acquiring knowledge to applying that knowledge in our everyday lives. In his theory of development, Schaie includes the following two stages to describe the cognitive changes in adults:
Achieving Stage
Involves applying ones intelligence to situations that have profound consequences on achieving long term goals, such as those involving careers. This stage of development includes mastering the cognitive skills needed to monitor one's own behavior. Young adults in this stage will also acquire a considerable amount of independence.
Responsibility Stage
This stage of development begins in early adulthood and extends into middle adulthood. This is the time when a family is established and attention is given to the needs of a spouse and children. Young adults incur social responsibilities, deal with starting a career, and must take on some level of responsibility for others at work and in the community.
Gisela Labouvie-Vief
According to Labouvie-Vief, there are many changes that take place in the thinking of young adults, including a new integration of thought. Young adults rely less on logical analysis when solving problems. Idealized logic is replaced with commitment, and youth focus their energy on finding their niche in the work place and society. During young adulthood, logical skills don't decline because cognitive abilities are strong.
William Perry
Perry has noted some important changes in the way young adults thinking differs from adolescents. The term dualistic thinking is used to describe an adolescent's view of the world. Everything is seen in polar terms or opposites. Examples of this are right/wrong and good/bad. As youth mature, dualistic thinking is replaced by multiple thinking. They gradually become aware of the diversity of opinion in other people and realize that authority may not have all the answers. Young adults begin to create their own style of thinking, and believe that others are entitled to the opinion they hold and that one opinion is as good as anyone else's. This leads to the next form of thinking, relative subordinate thinking. Here, personal opinions begin to be challenged by others, and a logical evaluation of knowledge is actively pursued. This leads to the final form of thinking, which is full relativism. In this stage of thinking, young adults completely understand that truth is relative, and knowledge is constructed and not given, contextual and not absolute.
Jan Sinnott
Advances in cognitive development are thought to occur from a young adult being forced to face multiple realities such as work and maintaining relationships. They develop a logic that views one's perspective as one of many valid perspectives, and it is understood that knowledge is neither fixed nor absolute.
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Developmental Tasks of Young Adults |
Following is a list of duties that are undertaken by youth as they enter adulthood. The focus is mainly on developing one's own identity outside of the home while beginning a home and career of their own.
Robert Havighurst's Tasks
from Ages 18-30Getting started in an occupation Selecting a mate Learning to live with a marriage partner Starting a family Rearing children Managing a home Taking on civic responsibilities Finding a congenial social group
