Adult
hideThe term adult has at least three distinct meanings. It can indicate a biologically grown or mature person. It may also mean a plant, animal, or person who has reached full growth or alternatively is capable of reproduction, or the classification legal adult, generally determined as a person who has attained the legally fixed age of majority; as opposed to a minor.
Adulthood can be defined in biology, psychological adult development, law, personal character, or social status. These different aspects of adulthood are often inconsistent and contradictory. A person may be biologically an adult, and have adult behavior but still be treated as a child if they are under the legal age of majority. Conversely one may legally be an adult but possess none of the maturity and responsibility that define adult character.
Coming of age is an event; passing a series of tests to demonstrate the child is prepared for adulthood; or reaching a specified age, sometimes in conjunction with demonstrating preparation. Most modern societies determine legal adulthood based on reaching a legally-specified age without requiring a demonstration of physical maturity or preparation for adulthood.
Some propose that moving into adulthood involves an emotional structuring of denial, suggesting this process becomes necessary to cope with one's own behavior, especially in uncomfortable situations, and also the behavior of others.
For more information about Adult, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with adults
Association of tight glycemic control with road crashes in diabetic patients
18 hours ago |
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A study from Canada published this week in PLoS Medicine suggests an association between tighter glycemic control and an increased risk of a motor vehicle crash in diabetic adults. Using a population-based case control analys ...
Caffeine doesn't reverse the negative cognitive impact of alcohol, study shows
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Dec 07, 2009 |
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People who drink may want to know that coffee won't sober them up, according to new laboratory research. Instead, a cup of coffee may make it harder for people to realize they're drunk.
Defects in T cells make West Nile virus more deadly in older adults
Dec 04, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- West Nile virus is more deadly in older adults due to defects in T cells, according to a study conducted by researchers from the UA College of Medicine.
Study shows dream-enacting behavior is common in healthy young adults
Dec 01, 2009 |
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A study in the Dec.1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that dream-enacting behaviors are common in healthy young adults, and the prevalence of specific behaviors differs between men and women.
Physician urges changes in diagnosis for sore throat in young adults
Nov 30, 2009 |
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New analysis from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) suggests that physicians need to re-think their diagnosis and treatment of sore throat, or pharyngitis, in adolescents and young adults to consider a more newly ...
When preschoolers ask questions, they want explanations
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 13, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (4) |
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Curiosity plays a big part in preschoolers' lives. A new study that explored why young children ask so many "why" questions concludes that children are motivated by a desire for explanation.
Chronic pain found to increase risk of falls in older adults
Nov 24, 2009 |
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Chronic pain is experienced by as many as two out of three older adults. Now, a new study finds that pain may be more hazardous than previously thought, contributing to an increased risk of falls in adults over age 70. The ...
Alzheimer's Gene Alters Brain Function in Young Adults
Sep 10, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The gene most closely linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease affects brain activity in young adults -- much earlier in life than previously reported -- according to researchers at Duke ...
American adults flunk basic science
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Mar 12, 2009 |
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Are Americans flunking science? A new national survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences and conducted by Harris Interactive reveals that the U.S. public is unable to pass even a basic scientific literacy ...
Achieving Fame, Wealth, and Beauty are Psychological Dead Ends, Study Says
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
May 14, 2009 |
3.9 / 5 (14) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- If you think having loads of money, fetching looks, or the admiration of many will improve your life — think again. A new study by three University of Rochester researchers demonstrates that progress on these ...
New research suggests key to happiness is gratitude -- and men may be locked out
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Mar 13, 2009 |
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With Mother's Day, Father's Day and high school and college graduations upcoming, there will be plenty of gift-giving and well wishes. When those start pouring in, let yourself be grateful—it's the best way to achieve happiness ...
The Protein for Quick Decision-Makers
Oct 26, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Everyday, people are required to make decisions quickly and flexibly. In a flash, they must weigh up the advantages, disadvantages and possible consequences of their behaviour and coordinate it with the relevant ...
CDC's swine flu toll: 4,000 dead, 22 million ill
Nov 13, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Estimates of deaths caused by the swine flu have grown to nearly 4,000 since April, roughly quadrupling previous estimates. But that doesn't mean swine flu suddenly has worsened.
First-time Internet users find boost in brain function after just one week
Medicine & Health / Neuroscience
Oct 19, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- You can teach an old dog new tricks, say UCLA scientists who found that middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience were able to trigger key centers in the brain that control ...
Is my robot happy to see me?
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Oct 19, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- People are social creatures. Robots... not so much. When we think of robots, we think of cold, metallic computers without emotion. If science fiction has taught us anything, though, it's that ...
