Developmental Psychology Final Exam

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life span

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max # of yrs an human can live (120-125 yrs)

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life expectancy

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# of yrs likely to be lived by the average person born in a particular yr

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centenarian

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person over 100 yrs old

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cellular clock theory

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Leonard Hayflick's theory that the max # of times human cells can divide is about 75 to 80. As we age, our cells have less capability to divide.

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free-radical theory

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microbiological theory of aging that people age because unstable oxygen molecules (free radicals) form inside cells and richochet around, damaging DNA and cell structures

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hormonal stress theory

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aging in the body's hormonal system can lower resilience to stress and increase likelihood of disease

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neurogenesis

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generation of new neurons

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cataracts

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thickening of the lens of the eye that causes vision to become cloudy, opaque, and distorted

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glaucoma

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damage to optic nerve due to high pressure of fluid built up in eye

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macular degeneration

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disease that involves deterioration of the macula of the retina, which corresponds to the focal center of the visual field

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arthritis

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joint inflammation accompanied by pain, stiffness, and movement problems; esp. common in older adults

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osteoporosis

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1. chronic condition involving extensive loss of bone tissue;
2. main reason many older adults walk with marked stoop;
3. Women are esp. vulnerable.

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selective attention

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focusing on a specific aspect of experience that's relevant while ignoring other that are irrelevant

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divided attention

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concentrating on more than one activity at the same time

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sustained attention

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state of readiness to detect and respond to small changes occurring at random times in the environment

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episodic memory

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retention of information about the where and when of life's happenings

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semantic memory

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person's knowledge of the world - incl.fields of expertise, general academic knowledge, and everyday knowledge

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explicit memory

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1. memory of facts and experiences that individuals consciously know and can state
2. also called declarative memory
3. decreases with age

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implicit memory

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1. memory without conscious recollection;
2. involves skills and routine procedures that are automatically performed
3. doesn't change much with age

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wisdom

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expert knowledge about practical aspects of life that permits excellent judgment about important matters

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major depression

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1. mood disorder where individual is deeply unhappy, demoralized, self-derogatory, and bored
2. called the "common cold" of psychological disorders
3. person does not feel well, loses stamina easily, has poor appetite, and is listless and unmotivated

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dementia

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global term for any neurological disorder in which the primary symptoms involve a deterioration of mental functioning

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Alzheimer disease

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a progressive, irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and physical function

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Parkinson disease

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chronic, progressive disease characterized by muscle tremors, slowing of movement, and partial facial paralysis

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respite care

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services proving temporary relief for those who are caring for individuals with disabilities, illnesses, or the elderly

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integrity versus despair

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1. Erikson's 8th and final stage of development
2. life review is prominent

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activity theory

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life satisfaction depends on how active and involved a person is

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socioemotional selectivity theory

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older adults become more selective about their social networks - they spend more time with familiar people with whom they've had rewarding relationships

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selective optimization with compensation theory

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successful aging is related to
1. selection
2. optimization
3. compensation

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ageism

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prejudice based on age, esp. against older adults

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eldercare

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physical and emotional care-taking for older family members (providing care or overseeing care)

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brain death

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1. neurological definition of death
2. when all electrical activity of the brain has ceased for a specified period of time
3. a flat EEG recording is one criterion of brain death

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euthanasia

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1. "easy death" or "mercy killing"
2. act of painlessly ending life of person suffering from incurable disease or severe disability

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passive euthanasia

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person's allowed to die (treatment withheld)

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active euthanasia

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death induced deliberately (lethal injection)

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hospice

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1. program committed to making end of life pain and anxiety-free
2. hospice contrasts with hospital goals (to cure disease and prolong life)

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palliative care

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reducing pain and suffering and helping individuals die with dignity

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Kubler-Ross 5 stages of dying

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1. denial and isolation
2. anger
3. bargaining
4. depression
5. accepance

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grief

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emotional numbness, disbelief, separation anxiety, despair, sadness, and loneliness that accompany the loss of someone we love

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grieving process

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more like roller-coaster ride than orderly progression of stages

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complicated grief

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grief involving enduring despair and is still unresolved over extended period of time

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1 beneficial aspect of grieving

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it stimulates many individuals to try to make sense of their world

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how to avoid being exploited during bereavement

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purchase funeral arrangements in advance