In research conducted by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett (2000), people in the Emerging Adulthood age category were asked if they felt that they had reached adulthood. Many responded saying “in some respects yes and in some respects no.” What criteria do you use in determining whether someone has reached adult status? What is the basis for your opinion? For example, are there specific milestones in the culture with which you identify that are required in order to reach adult status? What are your reasons for the criteria you put forth?
2. Arnett has also put forth that he believes there are 3 areas of identity exploration: love, work and worldviews. He argues that most identity exploration takes place during Emerging Adulthood (and NOT in adolescence). Do you agree? In each of these 3 areas (love, work, worldviews), is identity exploration greater in adolescence or in emerging adulthood? Upon what are you basing your opinions?
3. Erik Erikson believed that the challenge to be resolved during early adulthood was that of “intimacy vs. isolation.” Do you believe that this challenge can be resolved if someone does not have a “significant other” in their life? Why or why not?
4. Developmental psychologists/theorists tend to view the various stages of life to have specific “developmental tasks” to be accomplished by an individual in that stage of life. What do you believe are the developmental tasks that need to be accomplished in the Early Adulthood life stage?
Some Rubric
has provided a thoughtful, thorough response to all questions.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBelow Requirements
did not provide thoughtful, thorough responses to 1 of the questions posed.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeNeeds Improvement
who did not provide a thoughtful, thorough response to 2 or 3 of the questions posed.
