Old Adult vs. Young Adult: Cognitive and Physical Development

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Introduction

Bjorklund has categorized adult development into young adulthood (18-25 years), early adulthood (25-40 years), middle adulthood (40-65 years), late adulthood (65-75 years), and late, late adulthood (over 75 years) (2010). She further contends that each category of adulthood exhibits different signs of aging. The author of this paper will interview Edward who is turning 73 in two months and Conrad, a college student who has just celebrated his 20^th birthday to compare the adult development between the two lives.

Tell me about yourself?

Edward: I am married with five children and several grandchildren. I have just retired as a football manager in a local club. I now have a chance of spending quality time with my wife and even tend to our small garden together. We are more than happy to host immediate family members and close friends in our humble home.

Conrad: I go to school in a nearby college where I am undertaking a course in Fine Arts. I love going to parties and hanging out with my friends. I am an active football player but my coach has suspended me from the team until my class grades improve. I am currently dating two girlfriends.

Both interviewees seem to be governed by normative age-graded events. This is evident in the fact that they relate more with friends in their cohorts. This relation bears changes in behavior that is deemed to be normal and the behavior is influenced by either biological or environmental factors. William’s retirement is also a normative event as most of his cohorts retire at about his age. The cohort effects also explain his hearing and eyesight impairments. It is noteworthy that the contexts can be said to have varying effects in development. The cohort effects depend on the correct timing of normative events that is significant in adult development.

Are you experiencing any physical changes in your body?

Edward: I am not as strong as I used to be. I have also lost a lot of weight probably because of a lack of appetite. I am also concerned because I cannot hear well without the aid of these hearing devices. I nowadays ask my wife or other members of my family to drive me around as my eyesight is slowly deteriorating and can hardly see clearly. I have also developed a very low sex drive.

Conrad: I have gained a little weight. I also notice that I have grown muscles that seem to attract girls. I constantly attend parties with my friends without feeling worn out and my parents are concerned that I should slow down with my parting activities. I am also sexually active.

There is a notable decrease in physical strength in the course of development. This is attributed to the level of response in the body organs. This explains the reason why Edward seems to be feeling weak on the one hand, and Conrad seems to have discovered a rejuvenated sense of energy on the other. The physical changes are a result of hormonal changes of both the testosterone and estrogen in the brains of the interviewees. The levels of testosterone produced to play a significant role in the change of behaviors. This explains the reason why Edward has developed a low sex drive while Conrad is experiencing a high sex drive.

It is not in doubt that physical changes are governed by brain structures that are greatly controlled by hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. The cohorts in late adulthood, such as William, develop a gradual decline in testosterone discharge hence causing a reduction in their physical strength and stamina leading to imbalance. On the other hand, the hormonal production during early adulthood is very high hence explaining the energy possessed by Conrad.

Do you have any health problems or disorders?

Edward: In addition to my eye condition and lack of good hearing, I have recently started losing memory. My speech ability is also slurred leading to miscommunication. I was also diagnosed with diabetes five years ago but my specialist assured me that it was controllable.

Conrad: I do not have any health problem or disorder. I can however point out that I only experience mild headaches or stomachaches once in a while but they do disappear when I take pain killers.

Normal changes inherent in development are often intensified by the presence of health problems and disorders. This is due to the declining functionality of body organs in the course of development. It should be noted that some chronic illnesses such as diabetes may be said to be long-lasting. Aging is likely to bring out dementia. Dementia is a health disorder that results in memory loss, sound reasoning, and lack of clear communication. Dementia can be progressive hence resulting in the person suffering from the symptom becoming entirely dependent on others. The main cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which is a result of the destruction of cell brains hence tampering with the normal restructuring of the brain. Though dementia is rampant among the older generation, there are a few instances in which it has affected the early generation as well.

Do you have any signs of cognitive changes?

Edward: I have no problem with paying attention but tend to forget easily what I have been told.

Conrad: I have a very sharp memory and hardly forget anything that I am told. However, I am not so keen on paying attention especially in school and at home.

Cognitive changes are at their highest peak in the cohorts under early adulthood. They seem not to care about their safety and such decisions are left to their parents. They also react very fast and are highly skilled. It is not in doubt that older people out-do the early adults in some cognitive functions. The cognitive loss is high in late adulthood which is likely to affect their decision making. Further, they have declined safety measures in driving. Cognitive changes are a result of transformation in the brain structure. Cognitive functions vary depending on age. The basic functions that have been recognized are memory and attention.

The functions may be affected by age-decline which is a result of decreasing sensory organs. The older generation is likely to develop long term ability to pay attention and short term ability to remember what was said a while ago. The long-term and short-term abilities of cognitive functions are dependent on an individual. Though the young adult has a higher capability of paying attention, his functionality is short-lived due to various circumstances such as divided or switched attention.

What are your social roles?

Edward: I pass on my wisdom to my younger generation and in return get some form of comfort from them.

Conrad: I play for the football club in college and participate in various activities in our neighborhood.

Social roles are shaped by age-graded events and identities. The roles are likely to constantly change in the course of adult development. The social roles evident in early adulthood bring to the fore a combination of both childhood and adult roles. This particular role is constantly changing with the young adult moving in and out of them. The late adulthood males’ cohort assumes the role of volunteering as opposed to young adults who feel that society owes them for any societal role they perform. However, their role is said to be less dominant than gender roles.

How can you describe your social relationships?

Edward: I am very close with my wife. I occasionally spend time with my immediate family and friends in my humble home.

Conrad: I always hang out with my friends. I prefer spending time with friends to my family.

Cohorts in late adulthood develop a stronger attachment to their family as opposed to adults in early development. Attachment theory in adults can be defined in various styles that differ in each age group. This means that the level of attachment is governed by the security or insecurity of the adult. The cohorts in early adulthood are characterized by the insecure style hence affecting their social relationships. In most instances, they seem not to trust anyone and are more or less governed by peer pressure. They feel that everyone is against them including their parents or teachers. The late adults, on the other hand, feel the need to create a close relationship with those people who are close to them.

Do you work and what is your attitude towards what you do?

Edward: I am a retired football manager where I spent most of my life. I loved what I did but I thought it was time to give it a rest.

Conrad: I work during my school holidays but I find myself drained after work and would prefer to spend time with my friends instead.

Retirement is often not anticipated by the cohorts in late adulthood. During this stage, the adult is forced to leave what he likes doing hence resulting in a lifestyle change. Though retirement is inevitable, the adult is compelled to relinquish his social status and sense of authority. The fear of retirement is therefore imminent. On the other hand, the cohorts in early adulthood suffer from job burnout as a result of lack of enthusiasm and exhaustion.

How can you describe your personality?

Edward: I am calm, caring, and loving.

Conrad: I am very outgoing and friendly.

Personality seems to vary in adulthood development. It is not in doubt that early adults find themselves to be more outgoing due to the high level of energy they possess. This is in a bid to acquire an identity. They do not seem to care about those close to them or if their actions may be consequential. The cohorts in late adulthood, on the other hand, develop some level of intimacy with their loved ones hence developing a sense of a caring nature.

What is your quest for meaning in life?

Edward: I have accomplished enough in my life and I do not regret the decisions I have made in my past. I am surrounded by my loved ones.

Conrad: I want to complete school and pursue my dreams of becoming one of the best football players.

Both cohorts in early and late adulthood seem to have different quests in how they perceive life. The adults in late adulthood seem to find a purpose from human relationships and past events that have led them to where they are. The early generation is crowded with a level of ‘individualism’ whereby they think of individual success. However, most of the decision regarding their quest for meaning is influenced by peer pressure or their parents.

How do you cope and resist stress?

Edward: I surround myself with family.

Conrad: I go partying with friends.

Coping with stress is a very important aspect of development. The cohorts in late adulthood are faced with more stress as compared to the early adults. This is because they live in constant fear of dying, losing a loved one, becoming entirely dependent, and so on. This fear seems to draw them closer to their loved ones as they feel somehow secure in their presence. The early adults are faced with avoidable stress levels and this explains the reason why they turn to their peers to cope with their stress.

How do you cope with the aspects of loss, grief, and bereavement?

Edward: I have gained self-acceptance to take any bad news that is likely to come my way positively.

Conrad: I drain my sorrows in alcohol to forget what has happened.

Experience has taught the cohorts in late adulthood to positively accept any kind of loss. They know that grieving is very important as it takes the pain away. However, the younger generation may try to block out their emotions hence being in denial of the particular loss. The reception is therefore different in the two cohorts.

Describe your successive journey of life

Edward: I have lived my life to the fullest. I have no regrets.

Conrad: I want to live my life without any regrets.

Conclusive Summary

Aging is a very important process in each individual’s life. This is because every person has to undergo the aging process without any exception (Bjourklund and Blasi, 2011). The process of aging affects the physical, social and psychological aspects of an individual. The process is characterized by growth and maturation, which are essential in adult development. It is not in doubt that people tend to age differently from each other. Further, the rate of aging also differs from one person to another hence explaining the reason why people who share the same birth date may exhibit different aging signs.

This is attributed to the gradual loss as a result of various changes that lead to aging. The changes begin to be experienced in early childhood, but it is not until later that the actual loss becomes visible. The balance of gradual losses between early adulthood and late adulthood is a result of the functional organs that regulate and preserve the health of an individual. A study conducted has indicated that organs seem to lose a certain percentage of their ability to function every year. However, the effects of deteriorating organ functionality are not experienced until late adulthood.

The interview is important as it sets out the process of aging and the evident changes that characterize the process.

Reference List

Bjorklund, B. (2010). The Journey of Adulthood. New York: Prentice Hall Publishers.

Bjourklund, D., & Blasi, C. (2011). Child and Adolescent Development: an integrated approach. London: Woodsworth, Cengage Learning.

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