Adulthood in psychology is what, definition, age by year, types

The definition of adulthood is found very often in various literature. In psychology, this means the longest period of life during which a person achieves the highest development of the self-concept.

That is, he finds harmony, understands how to interact with the world around him, and realize himself. In the process of growing up, everyone asserts himself in one area or another, arranges his life, takes care not only of himself, but also of his loved ones. The inevitable stages of growing up are age-related crises, weakening of psychophysical function, and changes in worldview.

Periodization of adulthood

Experts are considering different approaches to the periodization of adulthood. For example, if we turn to the most ancient of the concepts mentioned, it is worth highlighting the Chinese classification.

According to this periodization, there are 4 main periods of growing up:

In the modern world, the periodicity of maturity is viewed a little differently.

For example, in 1966, D. B. Bromley also identified 4 stages of maturation:

• early (from 21 to 25 years);
• middle (25-40 years);
• late (40-45 years);
• transition to old age (pre-retirement age – 55-65 years).

B. G. Ananyev considers growing up from 18 to 60 years. Accordingly, according to his theory, early adulthood begins with a person coming of age. W. G. Craig pushes the boundaries even further and writes that the final stage lasts until death, that is, a person matures throughout his life, from the age of 21 (according to Craig). The difference between different periods is due, first of all, to the fact that at different times a person’s life expectancy changed, as well as the characteristics of upbringing.

However, all authors agree that there are early, middle and late maturation. The only discrepancy is in the age range.

If we bring all the data together, we can describe 3 stages as follows:

• Early maturity. At this stage, a person is just entering adulthood. This time is also characterized by peak biological maturation. A person begins to plan his professional and personal future.
• Average maturity. The so-called heyday. At this stage, one can note the peak of creative as well as professional achievements. With the onset of middle maturity, a person becomes more and more willing to share his accumulated knowledge. At the same time, he can suffer, remembering all his unrealized projects. This period accounts for the most divorces.
• Late maturity. Characterized by the end of a professional career. At this stage, a person begins to prepare to become a pensioner. He experiences a phenomenon called "empty nest" when he realizes that his children are already grown. Also during this period comes the realization of old age.

Essence of the period

Adulthood is a period of working and building a family. Communication, work, family are the main types of activity, only their ratio changes. Moreover, communication passes through a connecting thread between two others; it rarely acts as an independent type.

New growths of maturity include:

• building a life strategy;
• the phenomenon of “acme” (the peak of development, activity and success of the individual);
• searching for the meaning of life and following it;
• a new intellectual level (dialectical thinking, the ability to independently formulate problems);
• parenthood.

All stages of adulthood are similar to each other (work and family), so they are often considered in the same context. Meanwhile, there are three crisis stages of adulthood - 30 years, 40 years and 50 years. The crisis of 30 and 40 years is a search for the meaning of life, an assessment of the days lived, adjustment of life plans, awareness of the loss of youth, doubts about the correctness of the path lived and the advisability of following it. Read more about midlife crises in the article “Middle age and the crisis in men and women.”

The period of adulthood, especially late adulthood, has been studied less than, for example, adolescence or youth. The fact is that in maturity a person has already been formed as a person, and developmental psychology often intersects with pedagogy, examining issues of development and education. In adulthood, we can only talk about re-education and self-education, and this is another job. In terms of personality development and its formation into maturity, little influences a person. However, recently the interest of psychologists in this age period has increased, but so far there is little theoretical and practical data.

Early adulthood or youth

The stage of completion of vocational training and final entry into adulthood. The personality moves from the accumulation of knowledge, skills and abilities to practical application. Features of this period include:

• personal stabilization (psychological, financial, moral, etc.);
• awareness of the main interests in life, prioritization, self-knowledge;
• complete separation from parental care, independent development of life;
• focus on the future, activity for the sake of a future good life.

The success of this period and the successful resolution of the crisis largely depends on the correctness of the chosen profession. Otherwise, the person becomes disoriented, confused and afraid. In an unfavorable situation, a person continues to depend on someone financially, and therefore morally; views on the future are pessimistic; negative attitude towards oneself.

Middle adulthood or maturity

The period of peak professional and personal self-realization and development. If at the previous stage individual personal characteristics “settled down,” then here they are “preserved” and remain without significant changes throughout the entire course of life.

Maturity is conventionally divided into two more periods: early maturity (40-49 years) and late maturity (50-60). Early maturity is characterized by:

• summing up life (focus on the future fades away, more importance is given to the present and past);
• rethinking past days, analyzing the correspondence of present life and plans with actions from youth and youth;
• awareness of the limitations of one’s own capabilities (time and health as well);
• reducing the level of claims (not always, but often).

The severity and depth of the crisis depends on the difference between the image of an ideal life for an individual and the image of real life. The greater the inconsistency and frustration from unfulfilled expectations, the stronger the crisis.

As a rule, during this same period there is a contradictory decrease in self-esteem and a person’s feeling of being young again, at the beginning of his journey, that is, the perception of age changes.

Late maturity is the stage of accepting age and experience, the cessation of attempts at rejuvenation (although rejuvenation actually occurs with the awareness of the correctness and meaningfulness of the path), the maximum disclosure of the individual’s potential. Psychologically this manifests itself:

• complete relief from complexes;
• a complete and adequate understanding of one’s interests, priorities, abilities, place in life;
• orientation towards the present rather than the past or future;
• the desire to achieve maximum self-realization and experience the world around us (understand it, see it, feel it).

Late adulthood

Late adulthood is an alternative name for the period of old age. Read more about this in the article “Age-related crises of old age in psychology - a brief description of what they are, symptoms, how to survive.”

Age limits of maturity in the table

Adulthood is a common concept in psychology. But it is also one of the most controversial. It is most convenient to consider age boundaries by authors whose theories are the most popular and relevant.

Modern psychologists consider the stages of maturation in general:

• from 20 to 30 years – early;
• from 30 to 40 years – average;
• from 40 to 60 years – late.

How human behavior changes during different periods of adulthood

With the advent of each new period of growing up, you can notice general changes in almost all people.

Changes in mental functions

First of all, changes occur in the sensory sphere:

• Visual acuity decreases. The maximum color sensitivity of human eyes is observed at the age of 20-30 years. After this, vision decreases.
• Hearing gets worse. It's not that noticeable. People typically notice severe vision loss by age 50.
• Attention decreases. This begins to happen at the age of 34 (according to the theory of B. G. Ananyev).
• Memory. According to research, short-term, auditory and other types of memory can remain at the same level from 18 to 30 years. After this, memory deterioration is observed.
• Intelligence. D. Wexler argued that intelligence grows until the age of 20, and then remains at a stable level. From the age of 30, a person learns to use his mental abilities more productively. By the age of 60, the tendency for logical thinking begins to gradually decline. However, there are many other versions of how the development and decline of intellectual activity occurs. For example, there were studies according to which some subjects demonstrated higher mental abilities at 47-50 years old.
• Creativity. According to A.K. Kanatov, creativity in men can remain at the same level in the period from 25 to 55 years. A noticeable decline in abilities is observed after this age. In women, the decline in the level of creativity is not so noticeable and occurs gradually, that is, even after 55 years, this function is quite active. But just like mental ability, creativity is very individual, so it’s difficult to give general statistics.

Changes in the emotional sphere

Adulthood is a rather controversial concept in psychology. Each specialist voices his or her theory of when the most noticeable changes in a person’s behavior or perception occur.

For example, changes in the emotional sphere often include the level of empathy. Most psychologists are inclined to believe that the level of compassion for others increases until the age of 40-50. At this age, empathy reaches its peak. This means that a 40-year-old's empathy is significantly higher than that of a 15-year-old's.

After 50 years, women and men experience a decline in empathy equally. At the same time, the opposite is gradually happening. On the contrary, a 60-year-old person’s level of compassion is noticeably lower than that of teenagers. If we compare the intensity of empathy, it is higher in women than in men at any age.

There is also a change in excessive emotional sensitivity (sentimentality). This indicator increases with age. For example, something that does not cause any emotions in a person at 15-20 years old can cause tenderness or a surge of emotions in someone who is 50-60 years old. Sentimentality develops in the same way in men and women.

Also, after 60 years, this function gradually fades away. It is noteworthy that men experience more active surges in sentimentality. However, due to their reluctance to express their emotions, males are less likely to show their true emotions than females.

Changes in the motivational sphere

A person's needs and interests change greatly as they grow older. With age, a person can begin to do completely opposite things that he had not even thought about before. According to research, the older a person gets (regardless of his gender), the more important family and health become for him. In turn, friends, passion, love gradually fade into the background.

Motivation peaks at age 30. It is at this age that a person begins to think seriously about the future and make efforts to achieve what he wants. A beautiful life, appearance, momentary pleasures become less important. Stability comes. After 45-47 years, people devote more time to health and apply the life wisdom they have received.

Many experts are inclined to believe that as we grow older, our hormonal levels also change. That is, after the age of 18, people experience increased desire, so it is more difficult for them to set more serious goals and focus on them. When attraction decreases, other aspirations appear.

Changes in the psychomotor sphere

Adulthood in psychology is understood under many aspects. For example, this is also the development of muscle strength. In men, it increases until the age of 25, after which it decreases (we are talking about natural muscle strength, and not about visiting the gym). By age 50, muscle mass may decrease by 10 kg or more. For women, the maximum is between 21 and 23 years old. After this, muscle strength also decreases, but not as radically as in men.

Also, from 18-28 to 50-60 years old, the speed of motor reactions is preserved. Only by the age of 70 is there a noticeable decrease in the speed of movement of the arms and legs. Some experts think a little differently. They argue that motor functions remain at a high level until 75, and until 80 years they only decrease slightly.

Changes in personality traits

As you grow older, there are a lot of changes in personality traits:

• Responsibility. It is produced by the age of 25 and remains at approximately the same level throughout life.

• Aggressiveness. This is the so-called integral property, which can be expressed in different ways. In women, aggressiveness (which also includes assertiveness, vindictiveness and other qualities) decreases as they get older. By the age of 60-70, it decreases by almost 2 times. For men, the dynamics are slightly different. For example, by the age of 21 they have the highest level of vindictiveness, and then it decreases slightly. Also, among men, the highest level of uncompromisingness occurs between 31 and 50 years old. Then it declines, but by age 61 it rises again.
• Comfort. These rates are significantly higher in older people. This is due to the fact that by the age of 25-30 a person listens more to his own opinion and concentrates less on what others think.

Adulthood as a psychological period

The period of adulthood is the longest period of ontogenesis (in developed countries it accounts for three quarters of human life). There are usually three subperiods, or three stages of adulthood:

- early adulthood (youth),

- middle adulthood,

— late adulthood (aging and old age).

The concept of adulthood and criteria for achieving adulthood.

Taking into account the multidimensionality of the development process and the heterochronicity of achievements in different areas, many signs of adulthood can be identified:

- a new nature of development, now less associated with physical growth and rapid cognitive improvement;

— the ability to respond to changes and successfully adapt to new conditions, positively resolve contradictions and difficulties;

- overcoming addiction and the ability to take responsibility for oneself and others;

— some character traits (firmness, prudence, reliability, honesty and the ability to sympathize, etc.);

- social and cultural guidelines (roles, relationships, etc.) to determine the success and timeliness of development in adulthood.

The concepts of “adulthood” and “maturity” are not identical. Maturity is the most socially active and productive period of life; This is the period of adulthood when the tendency to achieve the highest level of intellect and personality development can be realized. The ancient Greeks called this age and state of mind “acme”, which means “peak”, the highest level, a blooming time.

In E. Erikson’s theory, maturity is the age of “committing acts,” the most complete flowering, when a person becomes identical to himself. The main lines of development of a middle-aged person are generativity, productivity, creativity (in relation to things, children and ideas) and restlessness - the desire to become the best possible parent, to achieve a high level in one’s profession, to be a caring citizen, a loyal friend, a support for loved ones.

Work and care are the virtues of mature people. If the personality turns out to be “calmed” in any respect, then stagnation and degradation begin, which manifest themselves in infantility and self-absorption - in excessive self-pity, in indulging one’s whims. Successfully resolving the conflict between restlessness and stagnation in the mindset of overcoming problems and difficulties, rather than endlessly complaining about them.

In humanistic psychology (A. Maslow, G. Allport, K. Rogers, etc.), central importance was attached to the process of self-realization, self-actualization of an adult.

According to A. Maslow, self-actualizing people are not limited to satisfying elementary (scarce) needs, but are committed to the highest, ultimate, existential values, including truth, beauty, and goodness. They strive to reach heights (or possibly a higher level) in their business. Based on an analysis of the biographies of a number of self-actualizing individuals (mature, reasonable), Maslow discovered their inherent qualities: a more effective perception of reality and a more comfortable relationship with it; acceptance of self, others and nature; spontaneity; focus on the problem; detachment (as the need for privacy and self-sufficiency); independence from culture and environment; constant freshness of assessments; social feeling; deep but selective social relationships; democratic character; moral conviction; non-hostile sense of humor; creativity. In order to improve, to move towards self-actualization, you need to remember, first of all, that this is an ongoing process that requires hard work on yourself:

— it is necessary to strive to selflessly surrender to experiences, revealing one’s human essence instead of demonstrating a pose, a mask, or psychological defense;

— at every moment of life, make a choice leading to personal growth, through overcoming fear and the desire for security;

- listen to your inner voice, give the opportunity to express your self, starting with the simplest things (like trusting your own taste when evaluating a food or drink);

- be honest with yourself and take responsibility; not be afraid of not being liked by other people;

— it is necessary to overcome illusions, identify and abandon (no matter how painful it may be) psychological defenses, understand your potential capabilities and desires.

Addressing psychology students, A. Maslow warned them about the harmfulness of the Jonah complex, which represents “fear of one’s own greatness,” “evasion from one’s destiny,” “escape from one’s talents”: “You should strive to become first-class psychologists, at the very best meaning of the word, better than you can imagine.”

G. Allport believed that the maturity of an individual is determined by the degree of functional autonomy of his motivation. An adult individual is healthy and productive if he has surpassed early (childhood) forms of motivation and acts quite consciously. Allport, having analyzed the work of many psychologists, presented a description of a self-actualizing personality in the form of the following list of traits:

1) interest in the outside world, a greatly expanded sense of Self;

2) warmth (compassion, respect, tolerance) towards others;

3) a sense of fundamental emotional security (self-acceptance, self-control);

4) realistic perception of reality and activity in action;

5) self-objectification (self-understanding), bringing one’s internal experience into the currently experienced situation and a sense of humor;

6) “philosophy of life”, which organizes, systematizes experience and imparts meaning to individual actions.

Human development must be encouraged from childhood to the end of life.

B.G. Ananyev, in his book “Man as an Object of Knowledge” (1969), emphasized that the psychology of middle age is a relatively new branch of developmental psychology. The psychology of maturity has found itself on the periphery of psychological cognition. On the one hand, it is pushed aside by the approaches of genetic psychology, for which maturity acts only as a product and a kind of finale of individual mental development of a person. On the other hand, gerontology analyzes maturity as a period in which the origins of the aging process are concentrated. Nevertheless, data from the history of the study of adulthood have made it possible to identify clear ontogenetic shifts that have occurred over the last century: the acceleration of maturation processes and the slowdown of aging processes, especially in the field of intelligence and personality of modern man, which has led to an expansion of the range of maturity - in terms of its duration and potential.

The period of adulthood, the main stage of human life, deserves to clearly formulate its own social and psychological tasks for the development of this particular period.

IN AND. Slobodchikov and G.A. Tsukerman believe that the essence of the first stage of adulthood (17-42 years) is the individualization of a system of social values ​​and ideals in accordance with the personal position of a person who becomes a subject of public (not narrowly social) relations. The formula of subjectivity, according to the authors of the integral periodization of mental development, can be the words of Martin Luther: “I stand on this and cannot do otherwise.”

The final stage (after 39 years and beyond) - universalization - is considered as a potential opportunity to achieve the highest level of spiritual development, entering the space of universal and superhuman, existential values.

Early adulthood (20 to 40 years old)

When looking at early adulthood from ages 20 to 40, several changes can be identified.

Cognitive sphere

During this period, a person’s mental functions develop unstably and are more heterochronic in nature. Throughout the entire period of early adulthood, a person actively develops psychological and intellectual processes. Memory is actively developing. If short-term, verbal and other memory begins to fade over time, then figurative memory practically does not undergo changes.

At the age of 20-40, a person’s thinking becomes complex. At the same time, different types of thinking can be integrated (theoretical, practical, figurative, visual-figurative). Speech development also continues actively. Its quality parameters are changing. Attentiveness, in particular attention span, improves. A person begins to focus on certain things that arouse his greatest interest. At the age of 20, control of intellectual development begins. A person develops more actively in different areas (creative, professional).

Affective sphere

The main problem of 20-40 years is achieving the necessary intimacy, as well as identity. The point is that intimacy is the union of two identities. But without experience, a person is not able to remain himself, that is, not to lose the unique characteristics peculiar to him. There is an awareness of the difference between love, passion, emotions.

The period of early adulthood brings new emotions. For example, these include parental attitudes. A person experiences love for his child for the first time and begins to rethink how his parents treat him.

Motivational sphere

In the period 20-40 years, impulsivity decreases. A person begins to evaluate circumstances more rationally, thanks to which we make informed rather than emotional decisions. There is awareness of one's actions. A person draws conclusions and gains experience.

During early adulthood, new life motivations appear. One of them is creating a family, having a child. In addition to forming a family, career development begins. A person learns to combine his personal aspirations with the needs of his family. The latter can motivate him for more active development at work.

Self-concept

Characterized by self-actualization of the individual. The self-concept during this period is formed due to the experience gained. Its development continues further. At the same time, a person is faced with internal and external stimuli.

The self-concept from 20 to 40 years old performs several functions at once:

• allows you to achieve internal coordination of the personality;
• interprets experience and creates new expectations.

At this stage, difficulties arise, since women and men have different aspirations and needs. More precisely, the problem is created by the fact that people of the opposite sex do not yet fully understand and perceive each other’s desires. For example, for the majority of men, sexual satisfaction comes first.

They view their partner as a companion with whom they can have a good time, and expect women to have more responsibility and housekeeping. Women during this period are in greater need of comfort, tenderness, stability and financial support. All these interests begin to coincide among partners much later. That is why the greatest number of divorces occur between the ages of 20 and 40.

Behavior

Behavioral characteristics depend on a person’s success, stability in professional activities, and personal life. Behavior is reflected in whether a person has a family, whether he has achieved what he wants or whether he is dissatisfied with his life.

Significant behavioral changes usually occur after children are born. Growing up accelerates and the level of responsibility increases. This, in turn, encourages career development. Depending on this, leisure activities also differ. Those people who have children are no longer focused on their needs. In turn, those who do not yet have children can devote more time to themselves.

Middle adulthood (40 to 60 years old)

Adulthood is a concept in psychology that is best considered in private. However, there are certain characteristics that are found in most people of the same age.

Cognitive Features

During middle adulthood, a person experiences psychological changes. He already has sufficient professional and life experience, has adult children, and possibly grandchildren. Physiological changes occur. Accordingly, you have to adapt to many new things.

The main cognitive feature of middle adulthood is subjectivity, when a real assessment of one’s age occurs. At the same time, the person notes that the serious changes that he feared at the age of 20 are not happening. Moreover, sensory functions develop more. A person feels and perceives what is happening better.

Affective sphere

The development of this area is uneven. For some people, this period becomes a kind of heyday. They realize themselves creatively and travel. Others begin to obsess over their age and awareness of their mortality. It seems that time is running out very quickly, but there are no special achievements.

A person places more emphasis on work and development. Emotions begin to have a greater impact on mood, graying, and can even affect professional activities. Also at this age, the risk of stress and depression increases.

Motivational sphere

In middle age, the desire to act without unnecessary hesitation appears. A person wants to change his life for the better, which is a pretty strong motivation. There is a desire not only to realize oneself, but also to prepare the basis for the next generation and pass on one’s experience.

This provokes a re-evaluation and comprehension of life. A person begins to adjust his value system and concentrates more on family and work. If a serious change occurs in any of these areas (for example, loss of a job, a loved one, a forced move), this can provoke a so-called motivational crisis.

Self-concept

During middle adulthood, major events occur that form new tasks:

• achieve social responsibility and the necessary standard of living;
• create leisure activities;
• help the younger generation understand responsibility;
• improve marital relationships;
• adapt to physiological changes.

Behavioral features

The main activity remains labor. By this age, a person achieves good results and grows up the career ladder. Thanks to the accumulated experience, self-confidence grows. This allows you to compensate for ongoing physiological changes.

In family life, relationships become more stable. Spouses complain less about each other and quarrel. Relationships with children improve and a sense of harmony appears.

Late adulthood (60-70 years and older)

Adulthood is one of the most controversial concepts in psychology, although it may seem otherwise. In particular, this concerns the characteristics of the late period of growing up, which begins at 60 years of age.

Cognitive Features

The main feature of this period is age-related changes, that is, aging. A person notices hearing loss and health problems. The body's activity gradually weakens. People note a noticeable decrease in physical strength and energy reserves. In most situations, problems arise with the immune and cardiovascular systems. The skin loses elasticity, a person wants to rest more.

Affective sphere

This period is characterized by specific changes in the emotional sphere. For example, people may experience quite strong nervous excitement. Sometimes there is causeless sadness, you just want to cry.

Some older people exhibit eccentricity. This is due to the desire to remain young. At the same time, sensitivity decreases. A person becomes more immersed in himself and finds it more difficult to cope with difficult life situations.

Motivational sphere

If after 60 years a person still has good health, then his needs differ little from those before. He wants to realize himself, pass on experience and actively participate in the life of society. For people of this age, it is important to be significant to others.

After 70 years of age, the main emphasis is on maintaining health. The need to participate in the lives of others gradually decreases. Interests focus on their own inner world. New hobbies appear (music, drawing, etc.).

Self-concept

The self-concept during this period can be formed in a variety of ways. Usually people try to integrate their past into the present. If you can connect all the events, then life seems more successful. At this stage, a person must learn to resolve normative crises as well as conflicts. During this period, it is important to adapt to new conditions and learn to accept the experience of past years.

Behavioral features

Older people are more wary. They begin to constantly feel that danger awaits them everywhere. They walk down the street in the evening with caution, and flinch when the phone rings. Due to this, social activity is significantly reduced. Some older people begin to lead a reclusive lifestyle. Professional activities are no longer important. Many people during this period begin to experience greater interest in religion.

When considering adulthood in psychology, you need to understand that this concept has many variations. Experts still cannot agree on the periods of growing up. There are also a lot of nuances that characterize this or that stage of growing up.

Easy growing up as a historical anomaly

Education researcher Robert Havighurst argued that there are some very specific “developmental tasks” that need to be solved: finding a partner, learning to live with him/her, starting a family, raising children, getting a profession, getting a home. These are the traditional adult roles that can be seen in any family sitcom and which today's youth are not thought to share or appreciate.

Havighurst developed his theory of development in the 40s and 50s, so it was expectedly a product of its time. The post-war economic boom brought growing up closer and made it accessible: young men had enough work, and many positions did not require education, and with this money it was quite possible to feed a family. And the social views of that time gave priority to the necessary signs of well-being: work, wife, home, children.

However, this period was only a historical anomaly. Mintz writes:

And to get married, many young men had to wait until their father died to receive an inheritance. At least today a wedding does not require the death of one of the relatives.

The golden age of simply growing up didn't last long. Already in the 1960s, the age of marriage began to increase, and completed secondary education became a necessity. Society still values ​​the old markers, but you have to try a lot harder to achieve them.

Jensen Arnett notices something surprising: