Two Theories of Adulthood Development - Essay Example

Two Theories of Adulthood Development There are several different theories that seek to explain the physical, emotional, behavioral and psychological development associated with early and middle adulthood. However, there are two theories that touch on identity and intelligence that are critical to the discussion on human adulthood development. The first theory comes from Erik Erikson in which he discusses the intimacy versus isolation concept to identity and emotional development. The second theory about middle childhood relates to Horn’s studies regarding crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence.

These two distinct theories involve understanding the cognitive and emotional development that takes place in early and middle adulthood. First of all, Erikson’s theory suggests that there is a sixth developmental stage that occurs within early childhood development. This stage is called intimacy versus isolation in which “Erikson describes intimacy as finding oneself while losing oneself in another person, and it requires a commitment to another person. If a person fails to develop an intimate relationship in early adulthood, according to Erikson, isolation results” (Santrock 332).

If a person lacks the ability to develop meaningful relationships with other people, it can have a greatly negative impact on their overall personality. Human beings are not meant to be alone. We are naturally sociable and are meant to interact with others in a communal fashion. For this reason, isolation is often one of the worst forms of torture that exist because of the psychological damage that can occur. Erikson continues to describe elements of failure; whereby, when failure occurs, the individual become isolate and beings a “self-search to discover where they went wrong” (Santrock 332).

This is a very strong theory to suggest an important, clearly defined concept of adulthood personality, emotionality and sociality. Erikson, however, does not directly consider changes in personality when individuals continually succeed in their tasks. Egoism is a constantly debated topic in developmental psychology and can inhibit a person’s true intimacy with others. This theory fails to take into consideration these alternative factors that greatly change the intimacy versus isolation concept.

The second theory comes from the research performed by Horn in which he developed and defined the terms crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence to describe the developmental process in middle adulthood. Crystallized intelligence is the accumulated information and verbal skills within an individual. Fluid intelligence is defined as the ability to reason abstractly (Santrock 360). According to Horn, crystallized intelligence continues to increase throughout middle adulthood, while fluid intelligence actually declines throughout adulthood.

This theory adequately provides terminology to explain the reasoning skills along with memory and verbal skills as they continue to develop or decline throughout adulthood. However, Horn fails to consider types of physical intelligence that may increase or decline over time as an element of motor memory skills in middle adulthood.Works CitedSantrock, John W. Essentials of Life-span Development. New York: McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2008. Print.