Early or emerging adulthood is the short span of time between adolescence and adulthood. Some psychologists say that this stage ranges from ages 18-25 (Arnett, 2000), while other say it ranges from your twenties and in to your mid thirties (AllPsychologyCareers, 2008). One of the main ideas in this transition into full-fledged adulthood is the difference between fluid and crystallized intelligence, and how they change throughout the aging process.
Fluid intelligence is described by psychology expert Raymond Cattell as "…the ability to perceive relationships independent of previous specific practice or instruction concerning those relationships" (Cherry, 2015). Essentially, fluid intelligence displays the ability to think abstractly and outside the box. It is said that fluid intelligence is actually at its peak during adolescence (Cherry, 2015). I think that this was displayed in the spaghetti structure assignment that was assigned to our class at the beginning of the semester. I remember looking around the room and seeing countless crazy ideas as to how to get the tallest structure. Adolescents, and even children, are have much more of an open mind than adults, and they aren't afraid to think outside the box. Early adulthood is a great time for learning new skills as fluid intelligence is still relatively high, and crystallized intelligence is just starting to get stronger as well.
While adolescents thrive with fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence is the specialty of adults. Crystallized intelligence is "...knowledge that comes from prior learning and past experiences" (Cherry, 2015). This type of knowledge is attained through experience and memory, which is why it increases with age. When I think of adults, I generally think of concrete learners. I have always felt that teachers, in general, tend to run their classes as if they were teaching their age. I think that it is important for teachers to realize that memorizing vocabulary terms and reading lengthy packets is not necessarily the natural way for adolescents to learn.
People in early adulthood experience a great ability to look at situations from many different angles, while still maintaining strong analytical skills. Essentially, early adulthood is the bridge between the peaks of fluid and crystallized intelligence. They tend to focus more on certain subjects and career paths rather than liberal arts, but still have the ability to stay creative and bring new, fresh ideas.
Resources
Arnett, J. (2000, May 1). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/55/5/469/
Early Adulthood Developmental Psychology. (2008, January 1). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/early-adulthood-development.html
Cherry, K. (n.d.). Fluid Intelligence and Crystallized Intelligence. Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/a/fluid-crystal.htm
Boundless. “Cognitive Development in Adulthood.” Boundless Psychology. Boundless, 04 Nov. 2014. Retrieved 10 Mar. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/human-development-14/adulthood-74/cognitive-development-in-adulthood-288-12823/
Fluid intelligence is described by psychology expert Raymond Cattell as "…the ability to perceive relationships independent of previous specific practice or instruction concerning those relationships" (Cherry, 2015). Essentially, fluid intelligence displays the ability to think abstractly and outside the box. It is said that fluid intelligence is actually at its peak during adolescence (Cherry, 2015). I think that this was displayed in the spaghetti structure assignment that was assigned to our class at the beginning of the semester. I remember looking around the room and seeing countless crazy ideas as to how to get the tallest structure. Adolescents, and even children, are have much more of an open mind than adults, and they aren't afraid to think outside the box. Early adulthood is a great time for learning new skills as fluid intelligence is still relatively high, and crystallized intelligence is just starting to get stronger as well.
While adolescents thrive with fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence is the specialty of adults. Crystallized intelligence is "...knowledge that comes from prior learning and past experiences" (Cherry, 2015). This type of knowledge is attained through experience and memory, which is why it increases with age. When I think of adults, I generally think of concrete learners. I have always felt that teachers, in general, tend to run their classes as if they were teaching their age. I think that it is important for teachers to realize that memorizing vocabulary terms and reading lengthy packets is not necessarily the natural way for adolescents to learn.
People in early adulthood experience a great ability to look at situations from many different angles, while still maintaining strong analytical skills. Essentially, early adulthood is the bridge between the peaks of fluid and crystallized intelligence. They tend to focus more on certain subjects and career paths rather than liberal arts, but still have the ability to stay creative and bring new, fresh ideas.
Resources
Arnett, J. (2000, May 1). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/55/5/469/
Early Adulthood Developmental Psychology. (2008, January 1). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/early-adulthood-development.html
Cherry, K. (n.d.). Fluid Intelligence and Crystallized Intelligence. Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/a/fluid-crystal.htm
Boundless. “Cognitive Development in Adulthood.” Boundless Psychology. Boundless, 04 Nov. 2014. Retrieved 10 Mar. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/human-development-14/adulthood-74/cognitive-development-in-adulthood-288-12823/