Lesson Plan: Emerging Adulthood in Psychology
Duration: 45 Minutes
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
- Define emerging adulthood and its characteristics.
- Explore the psychological development during this stage.
- Discuss the implications of emerging adulthood on identity formation, relationships, and mental health.
- Apply concepts learned to real-life scenarios.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- PowerPoint presentation
- Handouts of readings (Chapters 1 and 2 from Arnett's Emerging Adulthood, 3rd ed.)
- Projector and screen
- Access to online articles for group discussion
Lesson Outline
I. Introduction to Emerging Adulthood (10 Minutes)
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Definition and Overview
- Introduce the concept of emerging adulthood as described by Jeffrey Arnett, emphasizing it as a distinct developmental phase between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood (ages 18-25).
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Key Characteristics
- Discuss the five key features of emerging adulthood:
- The age of identity exploration
- The age of instability
- The self-focused age
- The age of feeling in-between
- The age of possibilities
The image of a diverse group of young adults exploring various life choices and experiences, with landmarks symbolizing exploration and growth.
II. Psychological Development in Emerging Adulthood (15 Minutes)
The image of young adults engaged in meaningful discussions while sitting in a park, symbolizing the importance of peer relationships in identity exploration.
III. Challenges of Emerging Adulthood (10 Minutes)
IV. Applying Concepts: Interactive Group Discussion (10 Minutes)
- Case Studies in Groups
- Divide participants into small groups and provide each with a case study depicting a young adult navigating emerging adulthood challenges.
- Groups will discuss and present their reflections on identity issues, mental health, and relationship dynamics presented in the case.
The image of a classroom animated with engaged young adults discussing case studies in small groups, highlighting the importance of collaborative learning.
V. Conclusion and Wrap-Up (5 Minutes)
Assessment
- Participation in group discussions and case study analyses.
- A short reflection paper (1-2 pages) due next class, summarizing personal learnings and connections to real-life scenarios of emerging adulthood.
Additional Resources
- Arnett, J. J. (2020). Emerging Adulthood: A Theory of Development from the Late Teens Through the Twenties (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Articles and studies on emerging adults and their psychological challenges.
This lesson plan aims to create an engaging and informative experience for college students exploring the critical concept of emerging adulthood within psychology.