Week 6 Lantz

Week 6

Chapters 9 & 10

                Chapter nine focused on early adulthood and chapter ten focused on middle. These chapters, like the rest still focused on the changes humans go through mentally and physically. It discusses other things as well as drug usage, initiations into adult hood, jobs, careers, marriage, identity, and the ideas of gender. It continues on with physical  development and aging.

                The discussion on gender in lifesmart on pages 215 to 218 really surprised me because of the typical lack there usually is in teaching and discussing this idea in classes usually. It spoke of the ideas of gender orientations and other ways of dealing and labeling gender for the world today. Including even a picture of Lady Gaga and avid supporter of the Community that identities with a different gender. I identify as an ally but my best friends are gay and bisexual. The school we had attended together prior did not even discuss any such matters in the psyche classes or sociology classes. The books states what gender role orientation or expectation is and gives a definition of what androgyny is which most in college couldn’t even figure out what the word meant. This is definitely interesting for a text book and something I can get behind as it will make talking to young children easier. My cousin is Trans and trying to explain to my little sister what that means is difficult. Cassie gets the name change and the want to be different but I question how much she really understands.

Chapter ten focuses on middle adult hood and discussed age, and physical change and how that can effect a personals cognitive abilities. On page 241, there is a section that starts with, “the Role of Creativity.” It opens with, “a key factor in the ability to continue to be productive well into the later years is creativity.” I think this is true especially because of the rising use of art therapies and hobbyists., (definitely for the ages the hobby market markets to! Example: knitting and crocheting are currently marketed to this age area.) These are used to get the middle aged involved in something other than the typical career, family, orientated aspects of their life.  The chapter lists aspects that creativity studies found in highly creative adults as;

1) like planning and making own decisions

2) do not like to work with others and prefer own judgement

3) take hopeful outlook

4) have the most ideas when a chance to express individual opinion is presented

5) are most likely to stand their ground in criticism

6) most resourceful

7) are not necessarily the “smartest” or “best” in competition

I can totally see this but I disagree that it is simply in adults. I have been described as one or more of these since I started the pursuit of art in grade school. I think it is more a matter of allowing creativity to flourish at a young age rather than waiting until adult hood. I am curious to know what you guys think!




Edit: 7/19
I watched the videos needed and  I'd like to talk about the second on from Karen McGonigal. This was an eye opener because of how I dealt with things in college. During college I was told my mood, and frequent illnesses were simply because of stress and my workload.  Even after college I was told I did not like change and it was simply causing me stress. Aftere watching this video the oxytocin made sense to me. It was telling the body to find support. Well the only common thing that happened throughout my time away from home was I worked on all my assignments with someone close to me in the same room. We did not have to talk, they could be playing video games, or reading. They just had to be present. I would accomplish all my tasks, and feel at ease, tired, but at ease.