References

Boyd, D., & Bee, H. (2009).  Lifespan development (5^th ed.).  Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.  

 Picture References:

1.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.healthysmilespro.com/images/young_adults_lxdw.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.healthysmilespro.com/Customized_Presentations.html&usg=__3HZL5uT8rp9t1fH9QCOZFtybSpQ=&h=458&w=695&sz=123&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=HndXLkiArcKtGM:&tbnh=105&tbnw=159&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dyoung%2Badults%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D853%26bih%3D431%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=264&vpy=115&dur=1036&hovh=182&hovw=277&tx=150&ty=106&ei=98DSTNaeIYWKlwe4rcCtDg&oei=98DSTNaeIYWKlwe4rcCtDg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0

2.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.seethinkdance.com/graphics/intimacy_-_hand_splice.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fem-men-ist.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-love-in-public-12-noon-this.html&usg=__It3XGKmLPI4lYER9pqpkPus5g04=&h=800&w=1194&sz=539&hl=en&start=43&zoom=1&tbnid=6Kaf6iK44U21uM:&tbnh=137&tbnw=203&prev=/images%3Fq%3DIntimacy%2Bversus%2BIsolation%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D853%26bih%3D431%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C1686&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=332&ei=2MTSTOb4D4mVnAePm_D4Dw&oei=kcPSTMjaLoeosAPm89HXCg&esq=11&page=6&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:43&tx=68&ty=82&biw=853&bih=431

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4.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.takethehandle.com/interactive/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/digital_intimacy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.takethehandle.com/%3Fp%3D8777&usg=__HhobFFByp1RGH6_KQZSWha1SEug=&h=439&w=646&sz=174&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=ZoQG-mTezCzJjM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=161&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dintimacy%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D853%26bih%3D431%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C172&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=397&ei=dsvSTISfMMGQnAf1zeTrDw&oei=dsvSTISfMMGQnAf1zeTrDw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0&tx=30&ty=77&biw=853&bih=431

 

Sternberg's Theory

Sternberg's theory revolves around three compenents to Love. 

• passion
• intimacy
• commitment

You could have all three of these components combined, one or two, or you could have just one. Each relationship is different just like each person is different! For example one relationship may consist of just passion. A relationship like this would involve a couple that barely talks (intimacy) and are unfaithful to one another (commitment).  However they have a good sexual relationship and that is what keeps them together (passion).  Getting it? Here's another example.  A couple has been together for awhile, has always been faithful to each other (commitment).  They are very open and talk about their emotions often (passion), but they no longer have a desire for each other sexually (intimacy). 

Mate Selection

This process can sound more like going to the grocery store and selecting a cut of meat rather than selecting a life partner. However, this is an integral part of a young adults social development. There are some very large differences in how men and women choose mates, lets look at those:

Men: 

• prefer physically attractive younger women (cradle robber).  
• value health and availability.

Women: 

• look for socio-economic status that is higher than their own (gold digger). 

 Parental Investment Theory:
Men also aren't as selective with their sexual partners because there are less outlying factors of responsibility  for men than for women.   Men value health and availability in their partners because in the chance that the couple may conceive a child these two qualities will result in minimal parenting effort from the man.  Women definitely have a much longer investment of carrying the child for nine months and then the traumatic experience of birth. "...men seek to maximize the likelihood of survival of the species by maximizing the number of their offspring: women seek to minimize the number of their offspring because their investment is so much greater" (Boyd, 2008, p. 408). 

Social Role Theory:

Basically people shape their gender roles to correspond with what they think their mate is looking for in a partner.  For example, the "office blonde" that can never remember how to send a fax and must ask every cute man in the office how to do so.... on a daily basis. Both Sexes are drawn to people that are homogeneous to their lifestyle (ie, similar to their age, personality, education level, and economic status). 

Erickson's Stage of Intimacy versus Isolation

 

To be able to be intimacy with your partner you need to overcome identity vs. role confusion.  So basically, you need to have a good understanding of yourself and a strong self concept.  

Intimacy Vs. Isolation:

in this stage of Erickson's theory a young adult must find a life partner or supportive friends in order to avoid social isolation.  This would explain why many young adults feel pressure to get married and have more intimate relationships, both peer based and romantically inclined. 

Intimacy:

While most of us know the general idea of intimacy as relating to physical contact it also includes providing support and affection without losing your sense of self.  This can often be difficult when most young adults are still struggling with their self concept. 

Social Relationships

Social Relationships

This blog is written for young adults to read about the social development that they might be currently experiencing. We will introduce theories and concepts to help you understand what is going on with your social development! Here is a quick list of the topics we will cover! 

• Erickson's Stage of Intimacy versus Isolation
• Mate Selection and how men and women differ in choosing sexual partners
• Sternberg's Theory of Love/Marriage