Chapter 12 Flashcards
1
Q
Life expectancy
- females vs males
- racial diffs (age)
A
- Females have been found to live longer than males in the U.S
- Until age 75, whites have a longer life expectancy than African-Americans, but life expectancy rates are equal after age 75.
2
Q
Physical abilities decline
- Vision
- Hearing
- Taste, smell touch
A
- Presbyopia (farsightedness)
Enlarged blindspot caused by poor blood flow to the eye reduces field of vision - Presbycusis (hearing loss – from degeneration)
- Decline in abilities due to natural decrease in cell production
3
Q
Sexual Activity
- decline due to (2)
- stereotype
- % who still enjoy it
- older women
A
- Decrease in testosterone levels for males
- Medication side effect may include impotence
- People may live up to the stereotype that “old people can not enjoy sex.”
- More than 70% of Old adults continue to have sex.
- Older women have been found to be more adventurous
4
Q
Cognitive Functioning
- % of old adults who maintain level of competence on daily tasks
- crystallized intelligence vs fluid
A
- 62% of old adults in the study of 102 older adults maintain their level of competence on everyday intellectual tasks
- Crystallized intelligence (experiences) increase, but fluid intelligence (ability to solve new problems) decrease
5
Q
Wisdom
A
Understanding of universal truths from blending facts with values
6
Q
Enhanced creativity
A
Ability to knit accomplishments together in a meaningful story; Desire to complete unfinished ideas
7
Q
Erikson theory of older adults
A
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Have I lived a useful life?
Too little time to make changes before death?
8
Q
Disengagement Theory
A
Shrinkage of life space – less interaction and fewer roles
Increased Individuality – strict rules and expectations
Acceptance of these changes
