Physical, Cognitive, and Social Development in Young Adults

Introduction

Young adults stand on the threshold between youthful behavior and the adult world. Humans in their late teens begin to accept responsibility for their own lives and learn to depend upon themselves financially, socially, and psychologically. This is also the time when they make life choices that will ultimately shape their futures and the people they eventually become. Renowned theorist Daniel Levinson defines adult development in the age range between 17 and 33 as the "novice phase," because this is the point where the young person takes on new responsibilities in the same way as an amateur or novice in a specific occupational field. According to theorist Erik Erikson:

"In this stage, the most important events are love relationships. Intimacy refers to one's ability to relate to another human being on a deep, personal level. An individual who has not developed a sense of identity will usually fear a committed relationship and may retreat into isolation. It is important to mention that having a sexual relationship does not indicate intimacy. People can be sexually intimate without being committed and open with one another. True intimacy requires personal commitment. However, mutual satisfaction will increase the closeness of people in a truly intimate relationship" (Stage, 2013).

Physical Development

At this stage in their lives, young adults have already developed much of their personality and their psychological and sociological profiles, and have also finished developing physically. However, even at this advanced stage, people are still changing and developing from both physiological and sociological perspectives. Many researchers state that this stage of life is arguably the best in terms of physical and mental health, though there may be other significant challenges that a person of this age must confront.

Most young adults will have completed their physical development by the time they reach the age of eighteen. Organs, muscles, and the rest of the body reach their peak of health and functionality (Silverman, 2011). This is the point in a young person's life when they are at their healthiest — or at least the average person is at their healthiest during young adulthood. Taking care of the body during this period will ensure better health later on, as the body naturally deteriorates with age. Physical maturation may continue through this stage, including growth in height as well as development of secondary sexual characteristics. Beyond this period, unnatural interventions such as plastic surgery represent the only means of altering fundamental physical characteristics.

Cognitive Development

In terms of cognition, young adulthood is a very important stage. Although most organs and muscles have finished their development, the human brain is still increasing in size (Zurko, 2013). The mind continues growing throughout young adulthood, and just as the physical body is at its peak during this period, so too is the brain at its healthiest. Young adults possess the greatest ability to learn new things and the strongest memory of any stage of human life.

Scientists have recently asserted that major life decisions may be more successful if a person waits until their late twenties to make them (Beck, 2012). More and more young people entering college report uncertainty about what they want from life, and psychologists have argued that this is actually a positive sign — it means that when a person finally does make an important decision about their future, it will be grounded in education and experience and will ultimately prove to be a better choice.

At this point in their lives, young adults begin to engage in adult pursuits such as entering the workforce or pursuing higher education at a trade school or college in order to prepare for careers that require specialized training (Advocates for Youth, 2008). They identify their career ambitions and begin working toward readiness in their chosen field. Within educational settings, young adults acquire new skills and abilities that they can apply throughout their lives. Additionally, during this period people are held accountable for their actions, often for the first time. They come to understand that there are consequences for their choices and that society will hold them financially or socially responsible if those choices negatively impact others. Young adults also develop the capacity to understand abstract rather than merely concrete ideas and concepts, marking a significant cognitive advance over earlier developmental stages.

Conclusion

Most young people will have their first real and meaningful romantic relationships at an adult level during young adulthood. Indeed, many psychologists and sociologists argue that the most important development of the young adult period occurs in the realm of interpersonal relationships (Beaty, 2002). At this stage, people come to fully understand that they need companionship and feel a psychological drive to form meaningful connections with friends and potential romantic partners. Although some people become sexually active at a young age, most will have their first sexual relationships during young adulthood. They begin to understand their sexual preferences and orientation and seek out people who can fulfill their emotional and physical needs. Empathy deepens during this period, and focus shifts from satisfying one's own needs to attending to the needs and desires of others — a hallmark of mature relational development.

Young adulthood is a vitally important time in a person's life. It is the period when a person moves away from childhood and begins to become the individual they will be for the rest of their lives. Formal schooling comes to an end, and people decide whether to enter the workforce or pursue higher education. They determine which fields or occupations interest them most. They face pressure from others to conform to popular groups, even when the behavior of those groups conflicts with their own moral or ethical code. More than anything else, this is an age of developing relationships. People learn to depend on others and to form lasting interpersonal connections — both romantic and platonic. It is a time to learn commitment and intimacy, and to experience all the highs and lows that accompany them.