12: Midlife Flashcards
the age-related process, occurring at about age 50, in which ovulation and menstruation stop due to the decline of estrogen
menopause
definitive study of the effect of aging on intelligence, involving simultaneously conducting and comparing the results of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies
Seattle Longitudinal Study
a basic facet of intelligence, consisting of a person’s knowledge base of accumulated information
crystallized intelligence
a basic facet of intelligence, consisting of the ability to quickly master new intellectual activities
fluid intelligence
overall score of body deterioration, gained from summing how a person functions on multiple physiological indexes - predicts cognitive performance during adult life
allostatic load
Paul Baltes’s three principles for successful aging/living: selection (focus on most important activities), optimization (work especially hard in these areas), and compensation (rely on external aids when we cannot cope on our own)
selective optimization with compensation
five core psychological predispositions that underlie personality (Five Factor Model) - openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism
Big Five
“Big Five” personality trait that defines our tendency towards negative feelings and psychological disturbances vs. mental health and resilience
neuroticism
“Big Five” personality trait that describes outgoing attitudes, warmth, gregariousness and assertion vs. solitude
extraversion
“Big Five” personality trait that describes passion to seek out new experiences vs. contentment with staying in comfort zone
openness to experience
“Big Five” personality trait that describes hard-working, self-disciplined personality vs. irresponsibility
conscientiousness
“Big Five” personality trait that describes kindness, empathy, lovingness, compromise vs. stubbornness, hostility, hot temper
agreeableness
seventh psychosocial task in Erikson’s theory, when people in midlife find meaning from nurturing the next generation, caring for others, or enriching others’ lives through their work - people feel stagnant and purposeless without it
generativity
well-being defined as pure pleasure (“feeling good”)
hedonic happiness
well-being defined as having a sense of meaning and purpose in life
eudaimonic happiness
in Dan McAdams’ research, a type of autobiography produced by highly generative adults that involves childhood feelings of being special, being unusually sensitive to others’ struggles, having a generative mission since adolescence, and redemption sequences
commitment script
in Dan McAdams’ research, a characteristic theme of highly generative adults’ autobiographies, describing tragic events as catalysts for growth and positive change
redemption sequence
uniquely adult form of intelligence that involves being sensitive to different perspectives, embracing uncertainty, self-transcendence, humility, and making decisions based on one’s inner feelings
postformal thought
a basic role of grandparents, involving monitoring younger family members’ well-being and intervening to provide help in a crisis
family watchdogs
grandparents who have taken on full responsibility for raising their grandchildren
caregiving grandparents
adult children’s care for their disabled older parents
parent care
