Ageing (Psychology) Flashcards
What is the psychosocial theory of ageing?
Psychosocial: Emphasises the social and psychological factors and importance of maintaining a sense of purpose and connection in shaping the experience of ageing.
Based on Eriksons stages, individuals must maintain a sense of integrity and generatively in the face of physical decline
Highlights importance of healthy relationships and social participation and contribution to community
Biopsychosocial: Holistic
What is the biological theory of ageing?
Biological: A complex process involving a variety of biological factors that lead to the progressive decline over time e.g genetic mutations, oxidative stress.
Takes into account lifestyle factors but is centred largely on genetics and factors beyond our control
What constitutes an abnormal decline in theories of ageing?
Loss of function that affects day to day activity because coping mechanisms no longer compensate. e.g. an elderly person who becomes forgetful and uses notes and lists as reminders stops using lists.
Give three theories of ageing?
Lifespan theory, Jung:
In old age individuals reflect on their life experiences and attend to more philosophical and spiritual matters.
Shift from external matters to internal growth, and greater awareness and integration of all matters of the self.
Socioemotional selectivity theory, Carstenson:
Perception of remaining time shifts motivation to emotionally meaningful goals and relationships.
Shorter time horizon shifts focus onto present oriented goals rather than future oriented.
Can also be negative.
Theory of the third age:
People are living longer and healthier lives.
Describes a new stage of life after retirement and childrearing.
Characterised by self fulfilment where they can pursue their own interests.
Represents a shift in attitudes towards ageing from decline and dependency to continued growth and purpose.
Limited to those in good physical and financial health.
What the Life Course theory? (Neugarten)
Individuals move through a series of transitions over the course of their lives e.g marriage, retirement
If events are more predictable it is easier to adjust
Hardship earlier in life can predict coping or adaptation e.g. If someone if used to moving around alot, having to move house is easier to cope with
What is Taylor and Brown’s theory of positive illusions?
Optimism: individuals often have overly positive perceptions of themselves, their abilities, and their future prospects.
Positive illusions serve as a protective function, can be a coping mechanism for old age.
Can be beneficial for psychological wellbeing but also may have drawbacks if they lead to unrealistic expectations or undermine actions relating to wellbeing (such as taking medication)
What is Carstensen’s positivity effect?
As people age, they tend to focus more on positive emotional experiences and memories than negative ones.
More resilient in the face of adversity, as they are better able to maintain positive emotions and perspectives even in difficult situations
What is the personal responsibility model?
Adjustment is easier when personal responsibility for negative life events is taken
Definition of stress?
A state of emotional, mental, and physical tension that results from the perception of a threat or challenge to one’s well-being or coping resources
What is the difference between absolute stressors and relative stressors?
Absolute: Any objective real threat
Relative stressors: perceived threat of harm
What does the curve of human function tell us?
There is an optimal level of arousal for a given task
Performance on that task will be best at this optimal level
As arousal level increases beyond this optimal point, performance begins to decline
Moderate levels of arousal can be beneficial for cognitive and physical performance, while excessive levels can be detrimental
What factors can decrease stress?
Predictability: Lower levels of cortisol were found in commuters whose journeys to work were predictable
Perceived control: Two groups were played a noise, one of the groups was told they had a button that could stop the noise. They had lower levels of cortisol.
Describe the Life Events Model
Major life events, such as marriage, divorce, job loss, and illness, can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental health and well-being
The theory proposes that these events can cause stress and disrupt one’s usual routines, leading to emotional and psychological distress
Describe the transactional model for stress?
Dynamic model
Stress is continuous interactions (transactions) between us and the environment
Primary appraisal: assessment of external stressor and its demands
Secondary appraisal: assessment of individuals ability and resources to cope
