Entwicklungspsychologie

• 2/3 of college freshman woman report such rape or attempt to rape
• 1/2 of college men admit to forcing sexual activity

• inappropriate sexual remarks, crude jokes, gestures, physical contact etc.
• 62% of college women report such experiences

sexual dysfunctions (sexuelle Funktionsstörungen)

• increase in knowledge and domain-specific expertise
• no further stage in thinking skills beyond formal-operational stage
• however, some reach this stage not before adulthood

• decrease in idealism, increase in realism
• more reflective, relativistic thinking (Perry, 1999)
• search for truth as an ongoing, never-ending process
• acknowledgement of diverse influences on judgment and thinking

• early creativity peaks in mathematics, physics, poetry etc. (in other areas later)
• many creative products in one’s 30s
• however, 80% of most important contributions until one’s 50s

• development of stable socioemotional life in late adolescence and early adulthood
• relation to infant attachment (frühkindliche Bindung)

1. attachment-related anxiety (Ängstlichkeit)(level of partner’s availability, responsiveness, and attentiveness)
2.  attachment-related avoidance (Vermeidung) (level of one’s reliance, openness, and intimacy)

• competing demands of intimacy, identity, and independence

• intimacy vs. isolation (Intimität vs. Isolation)
• intimacy = finding oneself while loosing oneself in another person + commitment to the other person

• several important functions [cf. Chapters 8 and 10]
• starting point for lifelong friendships
• gender differences: women have more close friends; show more self-disclosure; are better listeners

• Sternberg’s triarchic theory of love (Dreieckstheorie)

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• dramatic increase in percentage of single-adult households 
• extreme stereotypes (from „swinger“ to „lonely“)

• increasing percentage (from 11% 1970 to 50% 2005 in U.S.)
• as precursor to later marriage or as continuing lifestyle
• partners are more equal than in marriage
• cohabiting couples are less successful in later marriage

• declining rate of married adults
• increasing marital age (Heiratsalter) 
• decreasing happiness
• happily married adults are healthier, live longer

5. multi-generation families (Großfamilien)

• increased rates of divorces (Scheidungsraten) 
• especially for youthful marriages, low educational level, low income, etc.
• maximum in 5th to 10th year („das verflixte 7. Jahr“)
• average duration of marriage 9 years (in U.S.)
• relations to psychiatric disorders, depression, alcoholism, etc.
• coping strategy: think of divorce as a chance for new developments

• generally similar to heterosexual couples
• increasing number of homosexual couples with children 
• contrary to setereotypes, most have no clear male/female roles
• most prefer long-lasting relationships
• gay couples usually more open to external sex than lesbian couples

• either planned or as surprise
• typically mixed emotions and romantic illusions
• requiring interpersonal skills and emotional demands
• number of children in Western families decreasing and later in life
• no official schooling in parenting
• fathers take increasing responsibilities

• rapport talk (conversation, establishing connections) preferred by women
• report talk (information, instruction) preferred by men

•  high rate of gender detection in e-mails
•  clear differences in phone-call behavior (women more often and longer)

• the time period from about 40 to 65 years
• changed understanding of middle-age (due to higher life expectancy) 
• subjective mid-point usually later than half life-expectancy
• increasing proportion of middle-aged (and older) adults 
• median age in U.S. rises from 33 years (1990) to 42 years (2050)

• midlife-crisis as proxy for turning point (past > future) [see Chap. 14]
• balancing work and relationship responsibilities
• children leave home and start their own families
• becoming grandparents
• preparation for retirement
• first confrontation with serious health problems

• wrinkles (Falten) and sagging skin (schlaffere Haut), pigmentation anomalies
• grayer, thinner and (for males) fewer hair
• decrease in height (due to vertebrate bone loss; Wirbelsäule)
• increase in weight (risk factor)

• bone loss and joint-related problems (Gelenkprobleme)
• sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle mass and strength) 
• decrease in lung capacity (after 50 years), esp. for smokers
• decline in vision (esp. for close distances; Nahsehen) 
• decline in hearing (esp. for high-pitched sounds; hohe Frequenzen)

• cardiovascular problems (e.g. high blood pressure, too much cholesterol)
• types of stress (e.g. through major life changes)
• main causes of death: heart diseases, cancer, cerebrovascular diseases (Hirndurchblutungsstörungen),
• accidents, pulmonary diseases (Lungenkrankheiten) 
• higher mortality rates for men than for women 
• risk factors (for heart disease and cancer) 
• cultural differences

• decrease in estrogen level; end of fertility and menstruation
• usually between 39 and 59 (mean 51) years
• large individual (e.g. smoking, sports) and cultural variations
• more or less side effects (like hot flashes; Hitzewallungen)

• decrease in testosterone production (but only slightly)
• more erectile dysfunctions (Erektionsstörungen; influenced by smoking, diabetes,hypertension, cholesterol)
• more psychological problems in this age period