Overview: One of the important outcomes of learning how we develop throughout our lives is being able to understand what a person might be experiencing during different stages of their life. This is an essential component to enhancing our ability to be empathic. A relatively new theory was developed by Jeffrey Arenett that characterizes some of the common experiences people may experience during 18 to 29 years of age. These experiences include five separate categories including self-exploration, instability, self-focus, optimism about the future, as well as feeling in-between adolescence and adulthood. In this discussion activity, we will interview someone from this age group to gain more insight into a person's experiences during this time of life.

References: Munsey, C. (2006). Emerging adults: The in-between age. Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association, 37(7), 68. https://www.apa.org/monitor/jun06/emerging

Instructions: Based on the textbook and Munsey's Emerging Adulthood APA article, interview a friend, an acquaintance, or family member that is or has recently been 18 to 29 years of age. Briefly describe the theory and stages to the person you are interviewing. The following questions might help with you gain the information needed to write about their experiences based on the concept:

Are they currently exploring who they are and what they want out of life?

Are they experiencing instabilities such as changing residences, jobs, or dating?

Do they feel that they are more self-focused than at other times in their life?

Have they felt in-between adolescence and adulthood?

How optimistic are they about their own future?

Best to send your interviewee a thank you note once completed. If you have no one that you can interview, please contact the instructor to receive permission to write the information based on your own experiences. In response to your peers, provide additional factual (paraphrased from a third party) information, discuss observations, and/or alternative perspectives. Include some feedback regarding content and not presentation style.