Deck 17: Seciton 1: Emerging Adulthood: Biosocial Development

Question 1

Identify at least two benefits of exercise and indicate the degree to which emerging adults exercise.

Answer 1

Exercise 1) reduces blood pressure; 2) strengthens the heart and lungs; and 3) reduces the likelihood of diseases such as depression, osteoporosis, heart disease, arthritis, and even some cancers. Most emerging adults are quite active, getting plenty of aerobic exercise. In the United States, emerging adults walk more and drive less than older adults, and 61 percent of them are exercising 30 minutes a day, five days a week-a percentage that is higher than in any other age group.

Question 2

Attitudes about the purpose of sexual behavior fall into three categories. Identify and briefly describe each of these categories.

Answer 2

About one-fourth of all people in the United States believe that the primary purpose of sex is reproduction. Emerging adults with this perspective are likely to marry young. A second category is relationship. Half of all people in the United States believe that the main purpose of sex is to strengthen pair bonding. This is the dominant belief among emerging adults. The third category is recreation. About one-fourth of adults believe that sex is to be engaged in primarily for enjoyment.

Question 3

How might risk-taking by emerging adults be both destructive and beneficial? Include two specific examples of both destructive and beneficial risk-taking.

Answer 3

Depending on the activity, risk-taking can lead to new areas of growth and opportunity, or can cause physical, emotional, or financial harm. Destructive risk-taking may include having sex without a condom, driving without a seat belt, carrying a loaded gun, or experimenting with drugs. Beneficial risk-taking may include enrolling in college, moving to a new place, getting married, having a baby, starting a business, undertaking an artistic endeavor, or enlisting in the military or Peace Corps.

Question 4

To what degree are STIs represented among emerging adults? How could STIs be reduced among sexually active individuals?

Question 5

Define homeostasis and indicate two factors that impact an individual's homeostasis.

Question 6

Describe schizophrenia and state four known risk factors for the disorder. Indicate when the first symptoms and diagnosis typically occur.

Question 7

Define set point and body mass index (BMI) and identify what the BMI is used to indicate. State the BMI ranges and where emerging adults are with respect to the BMI.

Question 8

Many emerging adults are concerned about their appearance. Identify three reasons why this concern occurs.

Question 9

Define drug abuse and drug addiction, including the telltale sign of addiction.

Question 10

Define social norms and explain the social norms approach to influencing college students' behavior. What is the typical response to the results from social norm surveys?

Question 11

Your friend has just celebrated her 21st birthday, and she is concerned that "it is all downhill from here." Based on what you have learned, give your friend three positive facts about the physical effects of emerging adulthood.

Question 12

What is the general trend for the occurrence of psychological disorders during emerging adulthood? State two factors that might contribute to this trend.