CH. 15: KEY TERMS Flashcards
Chronic disorders
disorders that are characterized by slow onset and long duration. They are rare in early adulthood, increase during middle adulthood, and become common in late adulthood.
Climacteric
the midlife transition during which fertility declines.
Crystallized intelligence
accumulated information and verbal skills, which increase in middle adulthood, according to Horn.
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
the inability to adequately achieve and maintain an erection to attain satisfactory sexual performance.
Fluid intelligence
the ability to reason abstractly, which begins to decline from middle adulthood onward, according to Horn.
Leisure
the pleasant times after work when individuals are free to pursue activities and interests of their own choosing.
Meaning-making coping
drawing on beliefs, values, and goals to change the meaning of a stressful situation, especially in times of chronic stress such as when a loved one dies.
Menopause
cessation of a woman’s menstrual periods, usually during the late forties or early fifties.
Metabolic syndrome
a condition characterized by hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome often leads to the onset of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Middle adulthood
the developmental period that begins at approx. 40 to 45 years of age and extends to about 60 to 65 years of age.
Religion
an organized set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols that increases an individual’s connection to a sacred or transcendent other (God, higher power, or higher truth).
Religiousness
the degree to which an individual is affiliated with an organized religion, participates in prescribed rituals and practices, feels a sense of connection with its beliefs, and is involved in a community of believers.
Spirituality
experiencing something beyond oneself in a transcendent manner and living in a way that benefits others and society.
