Human Growth and Development - Essay Example

? Development Processes in Middle Adulthood Development Processes in Middle Adulthood This paper will discuss the psychosocial development in middle adulthood according to chapters 20, 21, and 22 of Berger’s book ‘the developing person through life span’. The summary to Chapter 20 discusses in detail the biosocial developmental procedures evident in middle adulthood. Chapter 21 tackles the cognitive processes that characterize middle adulthood. Chapter 22 describes the psychosocial development in middle adulthood with respect to marriage and family life. In addition, the paper assesses the development of Luis, a 39-year old man after observing his development. The assessment relies on the theory offered in each chapter. Berger (2011) describes different growth aspects that occur in an individual’s life span. Chapters 20, 21 and 22 of the book ‘the developing person through the life span’ highlight the main processes that occur in middle adulthood. The author concentrates on highlighting the growth of adults beyond the age of 30 (Berger 2011). She presents a lengthy description of the biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive development processes in men and women in middle adulthood. This paper will analyze the growth processes brought out in each topic. In addition, it will consider the growth of Luis in the three main domains highlighted by Berger. According to chapter 20 of the book, it becomes evident that multiple changes occur during middle adulthood (Berger 2011). During this age, the speed at which neural responses occur reduces as middle adulthood prevails. The brain tends to age at a faster rate making it difficult for an individual to multi-task. Processing of information takes longer than usual. These changes are becoming evident in Luis, a man who is thirty-nine now. It proves difficult for him to carry out tasks simultaneously. This reveals that aging of the brain ahs commenced already. Inferences from his life reveal that the aging of the brain may also be subject to substance abuse. In addition, Luis presents visible changes and he has apparent wrinkles on the face. Berger explains that wrinkles result from the thinning of skin and random deposit of fat in different parts of the body. Currently, Luis presents increasing fat deposit on the abdomen. However, he strives to counter the multiple aging effects through regular exercise. Moreover, middle adulthood presents visual challenges, a case evident in Luis, who recognized his farsightedness at thirty-five. In the last three years, the situation has only worsened. This ascertains Berger’s description of diverse visual challenges that appear in middle adult hood. Regarding the sexual reproductive system, Berger (2011) highlights that orgasms are likely to appear prolonged in middle adulthood. Luis, who is a married man, does not present any fertility complications although they are defining feature in middle adulthood. Berger (2011) elaborates the hormonal changes that lead to menopause in women in middle age. In men, lower testosterone levels define the sexual systems of men in middle age. This leads to lowered libido, erectile dysfunction, and lowered muscle mass. Most of these factors are not apparent in the 30s, the range in which Luis belongs. Towards the end of the chapter, Berger discusses the benefits of limiting drug and alcohol abuse in order to prevent diseases that are common in middle adulthood. Berger elaborates the potential benefits of exercise and healthy eating habits in middle age in order to maintain vitality (Berger 2011). Chapter 21 of the book discusses the cognitive capabilities of adults in middle age (Berger 2011). Berger describes the concept of the selective optimization that becomes evident in middle adulthood as tact to compensate physical inabilities. The author makes it obvious that in middle adulthood, there is a level of expertise and core competencies. As people age, they gain expertise in some cognitive processes. Men and women may portray core competencies such as intuition, being automatic, strategic, flexibility, organization and being knowledgeable. Evidently, Luis exhibits a high level of organization and strategic planning. These competencies qualify him for the managerial position that he holds. In addition, the author describes the possible effects of stress, and depression and how it can easily take down people in middle adulthood. Berger (2011) highlights that; ineffective management has detrimental effects in men and women. Therefore, she emphasizes on the need for effective stress management and coping mechanisms. The fact that Luis almost suffered depression in the recent past ascertains Berger’s idea that there is urgency for men and women to develop efficient stress management approaches. The hormone cortisol produced in instances of stress may have a diverse range of effects. Men and women like Luis should learn how to deal with stressful conditions and mitigate advanced effects. Chapter 22 of the book discusses the psychosocial domain of development in middle adulthood (Berger 2011). The author elaborates that middle adulthood brings along the midlife crisis, coupled with high levels of anxiety and introspection. Midlife crisis has the potential of transforming individuals grossly (Berger 2011). This affects their social relationships. The author discusses the myths and that surround midlife crisis. Midlife crisis exerts insurmountable pressures on marriages, a factor that has tripled divorce rates in the re cent past. The chapter also presents alarming rates of remarriages in middle adulthood. This is true for Luis, who has survived his first divorce and moved on to a new marriage. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of his current marriage considering the analysis of Berger. In the chapter, the author mentions that divorce rates increase with increasing remarriages. Although Luis’ marriage seems stable now, it proves impossible to give the future prospects of whether the marriage will last. In addition, the author discusses the simultaneity of familial responsibilities. Men and women in middle adulthood have parental obligations to their children. On the other hand, they have to support their own parents. The double responsibilities often weigh down individuals in middle adulthood. As the author highlights, there is only one way out for them. Majority of them opt to ignore some responsibilities. The multiple obligations surrounding Luis in his nuclear family and his own parents have often seemed to weigh him down. However, he has managed to strike a balance in addressing all his responsibilities (Berger 2011). In reference to Luis, he presents normal growth in each of the three aspects. The three chapters discussed provide useful information on understanding the development processes in middle adulthood. These individual portray slowed brain growth and neural connections that limit their mental abilities and performance of tasks simultaneously. The superficial features of age become evident in these individuals even in the thirties. Their information processing capacity indicates a progressive slowing down with increasing age. In the psychosocial aspect, midlife crisis affects their psychosocial domain and contributes to high divorce and remarriage rates (Berger 2011). Moreover, surging responsibilities in the nuclear family and extended family present a challenge. References Berger, K. S. (2011). Developing person through the life span. S.l.: Worth Pub. Read More