Chapter 13 - Early Adulthood Cognitive Development Flashcards
What three periods are adult years often divided into? (3)
-early adulthood (20-40 years)
-middle adulthood (40-65 years)
-late adulthood (65 until death)
Some researchers have proposed a transitional stage of adulthood. What is it?
-emerging adulthood (17-22)
The emerging adulthood stage exists in cultures where there are ____________ choices about occupational and social roles.
-multiple
Define primary aging (senescence). Example (2)
-age-related physical changes that have a biological basis and are universally shared (and inevitable)
-grey hair, wrinkles
Define secondary aging. Example (2)
-age-related changes that are not universal
-diabetes, cardiovascular disease
Major spurt of development of __________ lobes begins in __________ and continues into early ___________.
-frontal; preadolescence; adulthood
What things is the front lobe responsible for?
-logic, planning, emotional control
During early adulthood, the ability of frontal lobes to regulate the _________ system _______?
-limbic; improves
Since Piaget’s time, researchers have asked if there is a 5th stage of cognitive development after formal operational thinking. Is there?
-some researchers have proposed a stage called post formal thought
Researchers question if postformal thought is a ________ level of thought of just a __________ one.
-higher; different
What does postformal thought develop in response to?
-the problems of adult life
What are the three examples of postformal thought? (3)
-relativism
-dialectical thought
-reflective judgement
Define relativism
-what is true or right depends on individual beliefs or cultural perspectives, not on universal rules.
Define dialectical thought
-way of thinking that looks at opposing ideas or viewpoints and tries to find a balance or truth between them
Define reflective judgement
-the ability to identify the underlying assumptions of differing perspectives on controversial issues
What does an intelligence test measure?
-general thinking and reasoning skills compared to average performance of same age peers (IQ)
What does the Wechsler scale for intelligence look at?
-verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, short term memory and processing speed
What are potential limits of intelligence test? (4)
-language barriers
-cultural factors (certain cultures emphasize certain types of intelligence)
-test-taking ability
-focuses on one type of intelligence
IQ scores remain ______ across middle childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.
-quite stable
After age 60, IQ scores ______.
-decline
What are two types of intelligence?
-crystallized intelligence
-fluid intelligence
Define crystallized intelligence. Example (2)
-knowledge and skills you’ve gained through experience and learning. It improves with age as you learn more.
-knowing the definition of a word
Define fluid intelligence. Example (2)
-the efficient functioning of the CNS
-the ability to think quickly
Adults maintain _____________ intelligence throughout early and middle adulthood but ____ intelligence declines starting towards middle adulthood.
-crystallized; fluid
What percent of Canadians aged 25-64 have post-secondary credential?
-66%
______ of students have the same career goals at age 25 that they did at age 21.
-33%
What is one skill students develop in post-secondary education?
-critical thinking skills
