Psych 250 Exam 4

Front 1

Physical changes that take place in middle adulthood: vision

Back 1

• Accomodation of the eye experiences a sharp decline between 40 and 59
o Results from weakening of muscle and growth in size of lens
o Leads to difficulty with small print and viewing close objects
• Size of pupil shrinks and lens yellows
o Limits ability to see in dim light
o Limits color discrimination

Front 2

Physical changes that take place in middle adulthood: hearing

Back 2

• An estimated 14% of American adults between 45 and 64 have a hearing loss
• Hereditary and age related declines
• Decline typically starts with a loss at high frequencies
• Men’s hearing declines earlier and at a faster rate than women’s

Front 3

Physical changes that take place in middle adulthood: weight/body dimensions

Back 3

• Middle age spread- slowed metabolism- increase in body fat and gradual loss of lean body mass (muscle)
• Gradual loss in bone mass and density- makes bones weaker
• Disks in spinal column move closer- shrinkage

Front 4

• Changes in women’s reproductive system

Back 4

perimenopause and menopause, no longer has reproductive capacity

Front 5

Climacteric

Back 5

o Definition: mid life transition in which fertility declines

Front 6

perimenopause

Back 6

o Gradual changes for women over a 10 year period

Front 7

menopause timing

Back 7

o Typically between 50 and 55; 50 or 51 is average
o Genetics are a key factor in timing; smoking
o Not affected by age of first period or use of birth control pills

Front 8

menopause-hormonal changes and their physical consequences

Back 8

o Reduction in female sex hormones
• Decreased elasticity of skin
• Risk of heart disease increases
• Bones may lose more calcium-risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures

Front 9

menopause-physical symptoms

Back 9

• Hot flash
• Profuse sweating and night sweat
• Other changes: weight gain, changes in sexual response, headaches
• Extent and duration varies extensively

Front 10

• Advantages and disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy – national research findings from WHI

Back 10

• Believed to reduce risks of heart disease and osteoporosis and relieve some symptoms
• reduced bad LDL cholesterol and increased good HDL cholesterol

o 26% increase in breast cancer
o 41% increase in strokes
o 29% increase in heart attacks
o doubled rate of blood clots in legs and lungs
• Benefits
o 27% less colorectal cancer
o 34% fewer hip fractures
• no difference in number of deaths

Front 11

• General health status during middle adulthood

Back 11

• 85% rate health as good or excellent

Front 12

health issue: weight

Back 12

o Obesity increases risk of suffering other ailments
o See up to 55% lower risk for heart attack for those who maintain ideal body weight
o Difficult to sustain weight loss

Front 13

health issue: cancer

Back 13

o Cancer and heart disease are leading causes of death in middle age
o Death rate due to cancer multiplies tenfold from early to middle adulthood
o Women: breast, lung
o Men: prostrate, lung
o 40% of people with cancer are cured (disease free for 5 or more years)

Front 14

health issue: cardiovascular disease

Back 14

o Approx 25% of deaths in Americans 45-64
o Silent Killer-signs often undetected
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Atherosclerosis (build up of plaque in coronary arteries)
Symptoms
 Heart attack
 Angina pectoris- feels like indigestion or chest pain
 Arrhythmia- irregular heartbeat

Front 15

Intelligence is multidimensional,

Back 15

composed of many, separate mental abilities

Front 16

Intelligence is multi-directional

Back 16

can change directions for the same task and be in different directions (increasing and decreasing for different tasks)

Front 17

Intelligence is characterized by interindividual variation

Back 17

Patterns of change differ across individuals

Front 18

Intelligence is plastic

Back 18

capacity for change and improvement is always there.

Front 19

changes over time seen in early cross-sectional research between fluid and crystalized intelligence

Back 19

• Crystallized improves or stabilizes with age.
• Fluid starts to decline in late 20s or early 30s.

Front 20

fluid intelligence

Back 20

intellectual skills that largely depend on basic information- processing skills(e.g., ability to detect relationships among stimuli, analytical speed)-ability to reason abstractly

• Not subject specific. Generally not taught directly in school
• Believed to be influenced more by conditions in the brain

Front 21

• Crystalized intelligence

Back 21

intellectual skills that depend on accumulated knowledge and experience-knowledge that comes with education and experience within a culture.

Front 22

• Measuring change in intellectual functioning- cross sectional design

Back 22

o Susceptible to cohort effects that can create an inaccurate picture of timing and extent of decline
o Difference may be due to generational and historical differences related to when the person was born. Consider
• Changes in education
• Changes in work and technology
• Changes in health

Front 23

Measuring change in intellectual functioning- longitudinal design

Back 23

o Intellectual declines appeared later in life
o Found cohort difference on certain abilities
o Conclude that the steady decline seen with cross section data is an illusion
o Problems with longitudinal designs: expensive, selective dropouts

Front 24

• Seattle Longitudinal Study - general design, measures,

Back 24

o Tested subjects on perceptual speed and five mental abilities
• Verbal meaning, spatial orientation, number ability, inductive reasoning, word fluency
o Subjects aged 22-70 were tested at 7 year intervals with new subjects added each time (1956, 1963<…)- N=5000+

Front 25

• Individual diff. factors predicting cognitive aging in adulthood: education

Back 25

those with more education tend to retain higher level

Front 26

• Individual diff. factors predicting cognitive aging in adulthood: work & lifestyle

Back 26

using intellectual skills helps retain them

Front 27

• Individual diff. factors predicting cognitive aging in adulthood: health status

Back 27

• Chronic diseases may account for a good portion of age related cognitive decline.
• Physical fitness and exercise beneficial for mental fitness

Front 28

changes in speed of processing

Back 28

• Speed at which you process information declines
• Slower reaction times, slower perceptual processing
• Slower cognitive processes in general
Why does this happen?
Older adults take longer to decide if they need to respond.
Slowing of brain’s communication processes- disagreement about exact biological causes.
o Limits how much information we can take in
o Limits the ability to sequentially analyze information.

Front 29

limitations of working memory

Back 29

Working memory: the processing component through which current, conscious mental activity occurs; workbench
Amount of info people can retain in working memory declines from the 20s into the 60s

Front 30

affects of aging on speech

Back 30

Attention is more disorganized
Leads to difficulties with speech and with conversations
o See age related losses in retrieving words from long term memory
o Planning what to say and how to say it becomes harder

Front 31

: recall vs. recognition

Back 31

Declines depend on the type of memory- e.g., more decline with recall versus recognition.

Front 32

• Cognitive strengths: expertise

Back 32

ide #2-expertise
o Expertise compensates for cognitives decline
o Expertise involves having an extensive, highly organized knowledge and understanding of a particular domain
o Expert skills are often more automatic
o Expert knowledge often includes rapid recognition of patterns
o Experts have better strategies and shortcuts to problem solving.

Front 33

prospective memory

Back 33

remembering to engage in planned actions in the future

Front 34

remote memory

Back 34

very long term recall, from ages 10-30

Front 35

• Cognitive strengths: wisdom

Back 35

o Typically believed to reach capacity in old age
o Defined as expert knowledge that focuses on the pragmatics of life and involves judgment and advice on crucial life issues

Front 36

teminal decline

Back 36

marked acceleration in deterioration of cognitive functioning prior to death.

Front 37

Cognitive strengths: selective optimization with compensation,

Back 37

Selective optimization with compensation
o Behaviors of strategies undertaken to make the most of limited physical energies and cognitive resources
Select
• Narrow goals
• Choose personally valued activities
Optimize
• Devote diminishing resources to valued activities
o Compensate
• Find creative ways to overcome limitations

Front 38

Cognitive strengths: practical problem solving

Back 38

In solving problems collaboratively, elders seem to compensate for moments of cognitive difficulty, yielding enhanced accomplishment of life tasks.

Front 39

Cognitive strengths: creativity

Back 39

creativity in middle adulthood frequently reflects a transition from a largely egocentric concern with self expression to more altruistic goals

Front 40

• Concerns with Baltes’ wisdom conclusions

Back 40

o Work by baltes indicated that age is no guarantee of wisdom
o Type of life experience makes a difference.
Concerns about these findings
Highly selected, misrepresentative sample
Most were well educated
Asked to comment on very brief descriptions of personal problems with little contextual information

Front 41

new findings on age & wisdom (from Grossman et al., 2010

Back 41

• Grossman Na, Varnum, Park, Kitayama, And Nisbett (2010)
o Interviewed 247 adults- random sample from MI phone book
o Asked to read and respond to 3 newspaper articles describing an intergroup conflict
o Responses coded for level (103) fo 6 wisdom related dimensions (e.g., flexibility , search for compromise)
o Older participants scored higher for each dimension and composite
o Ina second study, one year later, tested them again (N-200) but with 3 interpersonal conflicts from dear baby column
o Older participants scored higher for 4/6 dimensions and composite.

Front 42

• Erikson’s psychosocial conflict of generativity vs. stagnation

Back 42

• Generativity involves reaching out to others in ways that give to and guide the next generation
o Negative outcome is stagnation or self absorption- preoccupied with themselves- lack of involvement or concern for young people or future generations

Front 43

different ways generativity is expressed

Back 43

• Biological generativity-conceive and give birth
• Parental generativity-nurturing children
• Work generativity-working with children; mentoring adults
• Cultural generativity e.g., creative output, politics

Front 44

• Levinson’s midlife transition

Back 44

Years 40-45
• Transition is a time of turmoil and confusion- work to reevaluate life- what do I really want?

Front 45

4 developmental tasks of middle adulthood

Back 45

• Task: reconcile 4 opposing tendencies within the self
o Young old-seek new ways of being both
o Destruction-creation-acknowledge past destructiveness; try to create products of value
o Masculinity-femininity-come to terms with both parts of self
o Engagement-separateness (with external world)

Front 46

• Mid-life crisis – definition

Back 46

a state of physical and psychological distress that arises when developmental tasks threaten to overwhelm a person’s internal resources and social support system

Front 47

popular view vs. current research evidence (e.g., Valliant, Chiriboga

Back 47

Current Research Evidence
• Little Evidence that 40s is a period of exceptional stress
• Others found few crises in their samples.
o Valliant 1977- Harvard graduates-few examples
o Chiriboga-1989- random samples- 2-5%
• Crisis is not a universal experience.

Front 48

• Seven changes in self-concept and personality

Back 48

• 1. Rise in introspection
• 2. Changes in possible selves- future oriented representations of what one hopes to become and is afraid of becoming
o –now fewer, more modest, more concrete
• 3. Increase in self acceptance-less self critical
• 4. Increase in autonomy (independence and commitment to personal values)
• 5. Increase in sense of environmental mastery
• 6. Increase in effective coping strategies
• 7. Increase in androgyny

Front 49

possible selves

Back 49

future oriented representations of what one hopes to become and is afraid of becoming
o –now fewer, more modest, more concrete

Front 50

factors that promote psychological well-being at mid-life

Back 50

good health and exercise
sense of control and personal life investment
positive social relationships
a good marriage
mastery of multiple roles

Front 51

facts and fictions about empty nest syndrome

Back 51

• Empty nest syndrome= emotional crisis, typically linked to sadness and depression, brought on by children leaving home
Crisis is not the norm
o Many report increased happiness, marital satisfaction, and sense of well being after children leave
o Parent child relationships often improve

Front 52

new roles (e.g., kinkeeper)

Back 52

o Need dto adjust and adopt new roles (e.g. kinkeeper) and routines

Front 53

sandwich generation

Back 53

competing demands of aging parents and children

Front 54

• Changes in marital satisfaction

Back 54

• Cross secional data show that marital satisfaction changes over time, and typically follows a U shaped pattern

Front 55

nature of marriage at mid-life

Back 55

• Stage of stability or working through
o Accepting of relationship and its strengths and weaknesses
o Conflict patterns-predictable, familiar
o Expectations are more realistic

Front 56

predictors of marital success (Lauer et al., 1995)

Back 56

• Lauer et al. (1995) reasons for marital success:
o Seeing spouse as best friend
o Liking spouse as a person
o Viewing marriage as a long term commitment
o Laughing together frequently
o Agreeing on aims and goals

Front 57

5 types of long-term marriages from Cuber & Harroff

Back 57

• The conflict habituated- underlying tension and conflict-quarreling
• The devitalized-discrepancy from earlier years-characterized now by indifference
• The passive congenial- indifference has been norm through out
• The vital- genuine warmth and closeness
• The total relationship- like but ________?

Front 58

types of long term marriages criticisms

Back 58

o Stable categories?
o Do other couple types exist?
o Cohort effect?

Front 59

Allen & Olsen (2001) study

Back 59

o 415 African American couples
o Classified based on ten different domains
o Produced 5 types of couples, matched early model
o Traditional couple instead of passive congenial
• Moderate overall satisfaction, porr sex life, poor communication skills-strong, mutual religious orientation
• Why might this change exist?

Front 60

divorce at mid-life

Back 60

10% occur at midlife, midlife gains in practical problem solving and effective coping strategies may reduce the stressful impact of divorce

Front 61

feminization of poverty

Back 61

a trend in which women who support themselves or their families have become the majority of the adult population living in poverty, regardless of age and ethnic group.

Front 62

• Nature of caring for aging parents

Back 62

90% of help comes from adult children, usually female
Caring for aging parent

Front 63

challenges and stressors of caregiving

Back 63

• Typically occurs suddenly with little time for preparation
• Difficult emotionally to watch decline
• Duration is uncertain and parent typically declines over time and becomes more dependent
• Psychological costs depression (30-50%), resentment
• Financial pressures
o Often difficult on the aging parent as well-now dependent

Front 64

buffers

Back 64

o Buffers: social support, secure attachment style, rewarding career

Front 65

• Grandparenthood

Back 65

valued elder
immortality through descendants
re-involvement with personal past
indulgence

Front 66

average life expectancy

Back 66

the number of years that an individual in a particular year can expect to live, starting at any given age

Front 67

• Demographics of older adults from lecture

Back 67

Number of people 65 and older in US had risen tremendously
• 1900-4.1%, currently-12.9%
Trend likely to increase
Fastest growing US population segments
• First-adults 45-54
• Second-adulrts 85 and older

Front 68

functional age

Back 68

actual age competence and performance

Front 69

maximum lifespan

Back 69

the genetic limit to length of life for a person free of external risk factors

Front 70

life expectancy crossover

Back 70

surviving members of low SES ethnic minority groups live longer than members of white majority.

Front 71

primary aging

Back 71

another term for biological aging, or genetically influenced declines that affect all members of our species and take place even in the context of overall good health

Front 72

secondary aging

Back 72

declines due to hereditary defects and nefative environmental influences, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, disease, substance abuse, environmental pollution and psychological stress.

Front 73

Physical changes – nervous system

Back 73

brain weight declines, neuron loss occurs throughout the cerebral cortex but at different rates among different regions.
the cerebellem- 25% loss
glial cells -decrease
autonomic nervous system declines- at risk during heat waves and cold spells

Front 74

Physical changes –immune system

Back 74

the immune system is more likely to malfunction by turning against normal body tissues in an autoimmune response

Front 75

Physical changes – sleep

Back 75

require 7 hours of sleep per night, insomnia affects 20 to 40% of older adults

Front 76

• Benefits of exercise and good, balanced nutrition

Back 76

a carefully planned exercise program can minimize declines in strength, joint flexibility and range of movement

Front 77

adaptations to physical changes of late adulthood

Back 77

older adults who avoid confronting age related declines who think these inevitable and uncontrollable and who ruminate about their damaging effects tend to be passive when faced with them and to report more physical and psychological adjustment difficulties.

Front 78

overcoming stereotypes of aging

Back 78

those in the negative stereotype condition displayed a more intense physiological response to stress along with worse handwriting, memory performance, self efficacy and will to live

Front 79

• Nature and types of arthritis

Back 79

a condition of painful, stiff and sometimes swollen joints
osteoarthritis-wear and tear on cartilage at end of bones.
rheumatoid arthritis- autoimmue response inflammation of connective tissue, involves whole body, tends to increase after menopause

Front 80

• Alzheimer’s Disease – symptoms

Back 80

severe memory problems and depression. skilled and purposeful movements disintegrate

Front 81

• Alzheimer’s Disease – nature of brain deterioration

Back 81

structural and chemical brain deterioration is associated with gradual loss of many aspects of thought and behavior.

Front 82

• Alzheimer’s Disease –risk factors,

Back 82

familial-runs in family
sporadic- no family history
african americans- more susceptible

Front 83

• Alzheimer’s Disease – protective factors

Back 83

drug and non drug therapies
mediterranean diet with fish, unsaturated fat and red wine
education and active lifestyle

Front 84

• Erikson’s conflict of ego integrity vs. despair

Back 84

involves coming to terms w/ones life

Front 85

life review

Back 85

a form of reminiscence whose goal is to achieve greater self understanding

Front 86

ego transcendence

Back 86

assessing and realizing one's contributions to the future

Front 87

• Nature of self-concept

Back 87

includes life domains, hodbbies, interests, social participation, family, health and personality traits.

Front 88

self-acceptance

Back 88

improving, achieving and attaining.

Front 89

resilience

Back 89

agreeableness-generous and good natures
sociability-decreases
acceptance of change-the capacity to accept life's twists and turns, many of which are beyond one's control, is vital for positive functioning in late adulthood.

Front 90

Positivity effects

Back 90

more positive than negative self evaluation. and positive, multifaceted self definitions predicted psychological well being in late adulthood.

Front 91

Labouvie-Vief’s notion of affect optimization

Back 91

the ability to maximize positive emotion and dampen negative emotion

Front 92

Effects of religion and spirituality on health and well-being

Back 92

a mature sense of spirituality, permitting anticipation of death with calm composure.
not neccessarily the same as religion.
older adults attach great value to spirituality and religious beliefs.
use religion to cope

Front 93

disengagement theory

Back 93

mutual withdrawal between elders and society takes place in anticipation of death.
little evidence that disengagement is normative.w withdrawal may not be elders preference. often reduced finances.

Front 94

activity theory

Back 94

disengagement results from social barriers. optimal aging occurs when person stays active. having larger social networks doesn't always produce happiness other dynamics involved.

Front 95

continuity theory

Back 95

rather than maintaining a certain activity level, most aging adults strive to maintain a personal system- an identity and a set of personality dispositions, interests, roles and skills that promotes life satisfaction by ensuring consistency between their past and anticipated future.

Front 96

socioemotional selectivity theory

Back 96

social networks become more selective as we age. changes in functions of social interactions.
elders emphasize emotion regulating function of interactions

Front 97

• Social convoy theory

Back 97

some relationships are more important than others.
relationships develop over time.
social relationships are influenced by individual and situational characteristics.

Front 98

functions of friendships

Back 98

strong predictor of mental health more important than contact with younger family members
intimacy and companionship
a source of acceptance
a link to larger community
protection from the psychological consequences of loss

Front 99

gerotranscendence

Back 99

a cosmic and transcendent perspective directed forward and outward beyond the self

Front 100

peck's tasks for developing ego integrity

Back 100

ego differentiation vs. work role preoccupation
ego transcendence vs. ego preoccupation
body transcendence vs. body preoccupation

Front 101

ego differentiation vs. work role preoccupation

Back 101

redefining one's worth in terms of something other than work roles

Front 102

ego transcendence vs. ego preoccupation

Back 102

assessing and realizing one's contributions to the future

Front 103

body transcendence vs. body preoccupation

Back 103

coping with declining physical well being