chap 13 & 14 Flashcards
what is senescence?
natural aging that everyone experiences after body structures hit their peak
what factors impact senescence?
environment, time period, DNA, and how they care for their bodies
what are three theories of aging?
1) programmed effects of specific genes (hayflick limit-telomeres)
2) cumulative effects of random events (free radicals)
3) cross-linkage theory of aging
what is the theory of programming effects of aging genes?
we inherit “aging genes” that determine the changes we experience as we age. over time, our telomeres shorten and then can’t duplicate again, which leaves us vulnerable to diseases, decreased functioning, and earlier death
what is the theory of cumulative effects of random events?
DNA is damaged through spontaneous or externally-caused mutations. researchers have hypothesized that this is due to free radicals, highly reactive chemicals that form in the presence of oxygen. when oxygen is broken down, free radical looks for a replacement and destroys nearby cellular material
what have recent studies found about free radical damage and aging?
not necessarily correlated, but free radical damage may increase longevity
what is the cross-linkage theory of aging?
protein fibers form the body’s connective tissues link to each other. when fibers thag are meant to be separate cross-link, it leads to less elastic tissue and many negative outcomes. this cross-linkage can be reduced through living a healthy lifestyle, physical activity and nutritious diet
when do many athletic skills peak?
20-35
what specific athletic tasks peak in early 20’s?
tasks that require limb movement, explosiveness, gross-motor skills like sprinting, jumping, and tennis
what tasks peak in late 20’s and early 30’s?
endurance, arm-hand steadiness, aiming like long-distance running, baseball, golf
why do tasks that peak in late 20’s and early 30’s take longer to perfect?
require stamina and precision
what are lower levels of performance in healthy people attributed to?
body’s adaptation to a less physically demanding life - reduced capacities because they are not used as much anymore
what is dualistic thinking?
separating information, beliefs, and authority into right and wrong, good and bad, and us and them
what is relativistic thinking?
no absolute truth, everything is a matter of opinion.
“what’s true for you is true for you, and what’s true for me is true for me”
what is commitment within relativistic thinking?
the focus is on finding a personally fulfilling view rather than choosing between opposing views. find logical criteria to measure things against and accept new evidence or ideas when they are presented
what is cognitive-affective complexity?
being aware of conflicting positive and negative feelings and bringing them together to form a complete and unique individual experience.
what are the 3 periods in selecting a vocation?
1) fantasy period
2) tentative period
3) realistic period
fantasy period?
children in early-middle childhood fantasize about future career options, but they are usually glamorized
tentative period?
between 11-16 years old, adolescents start to think more complexly about career options. consider them according to their interests, abilities, and values
realistic period?
in late teens and early twenties, people narrow down their options. they go through 2 phases, exploration where they find more info about options that will work well with their personality and crystallization where they focus on a general area, experiment, and eventually settle on an occupation
what is emerging adulthood?
transitional period between teenage years and taking on of adult roles
who culturally is most likely to experience emerging adulthood?
high SES and higher education.
cultures that delay entry into adult roles until they reach their 20’s. happens to privileged minority in developed countries and those in industrialized countries because their families can provide financially while they explore and seek higher ed.
what is erikson’s crisis in early adulthood?
intimacy vs. isolation
what is intimacy vs. isolation?
psychological conflict of early adulthood, seen in YA’s thoughts and feelings about
potentially committing to a partner and in their close friendships.
how does identity achievement impact intimacy?
identity achievement, having a secure sense of self, increases loyalty and love in intimacy. more ready for relationships and more committed relationships
what is identity moratorium?
exploration without commitment, negatively impacts intimacy. less loyalty and less love
what is the social clock?
society’s idea of the “right” age to reach milestones
how do other-sex friendships change after marriage?
for men, other-sex friendships decrease after marriage.
for women, other-sex friendships still increase as they make friends in the workplace
what can employers do to decrease the role overload working parents feel when combining work and family?
give time-flexible options
- give employees flexibility with daily start/stop times
- time off to help kids
- option to work from home
what results were seen with employees who were given time-flexible options by employers?
decreases stress and time off, increases work performance, ethic, and dedication to employers
what is the family life cycle?
sequence of phases that characterizes the development of most families
what are the phases of the family life cycle?
1) leave home
2) get married
3) parenthood
what are the alternatives to the family life cycle?
1) singlehood
2) cohabitation
3) childlessness
4) divorce and remarriage
5) never-married parents
when does early adulthood occur?
18-40 yo
what percentage of 18-24 yo return home?
50%
what signs does a 18-24 yo returning home give off?
not a sign of weakness
sign of transition
what percentage of HS grads seek higher ed?
70%
what percentage of HS grads in higher ed drop out within or after 1st year?
40%
what should universities do to retain their freshman?
reach out to freshman in first few weeks
what type of college/university best provides additional psychological benefits like increased moral reasoning, better problem solving skills, and greater tolerance for diversity?
ANY
worldwide, what are the top two characteristics that MEN look for in women?
1) physical attractiveness
2) domestic skills
worldwide, what are the top two characteristics that WOMEN look for in men?
1) financially viable
2) intelligent
what contributes to longevity in relationships?
similar interests
what are the 5 things to consider in the getting married phase?
1) when
2) where
3) whom
4) types of marriages
5) components of love
what has happened to the average age of people getting married since 1950?
increased
what attachment style promotes healthy relationships?
secure!!
who is most likely to have an avoidant attachment style?
men (under committed)
who is most likely to have a resistant attachment style?
women (over committed)
what is the difference between traditional and egalitarian marriages?
traditional - clear division of roles and responsibilities with MALE as provider
egalitarian - power and authority are shared, usually have a career-oriented woman
what factor increases marital satisfaction for both husband and wife?
shared family responsibilities
who identified the 3 components of love?
sternberg
what are the 3 components of love?
1) intimacy
2) passion
3) commitment
what is the emotional component of love, intermittently sharing back and forth?
intimacy
what is the romance and sex component of love?
passion
what is the maintenance of love?
commitment
who has the best sex?
married (2+x/week)
what comes with parenthood?
decision factors
what is singlehood?
not living with sexual partner
when does singlehood become stressful?
mid to late 20s because social clock is ticking
why does singlehood become stressful for women in mid to late 30s?
biological clock is ticking
what percentage of women stay single?
10%
what is the advantage of singlehood?
freedom and mobility
disadvantage of singlehood
loneliness
what is cohabitation
living with sexual partner
what is the preferred mode of entry into committed relationship for 30yo and younger today?
cohabitation
what are the purposes of cohabitation?
1) prep for marriage (divorce rate high)
2) alternative to marriage - protecting assets
what are the two forms of childlessness?
1) voluntary (career)
2) involuntary (infertility; single women who believe in waiting for marriage)
what are the current divorce rates?
42-45%
how long is the cycle of recovery for divorce?
2 years
what are the odds of women divorcing?
women 2x more likely
when are divorce transitions easiest?
mid-adulthood because of increased financial stability, older kids, more viable for remarriage
what is the divorce rate in remarriages?
66-70%
why are divorce rates so high in remarriages?
1) same issues
2) stepfamilies
3) divorce is viable option (habituate)
how long does it take for blended families to develop connectedness?
3-5 years
what percentage of US births are to single moms?
40%
what is the largest group of single moms at 54%?
african american
what percentage of single moms are caucasian women?
14%
