Chapter 13 - Early Adulthood Cognitive Development

Question 1

What three periods are adult years often divided into? (3)

Answer 1

-early adulthood (20-40 years)
-middle adulthood (40-65 years)
-late adulthood (65 until death)

Question 2

Some researchers have proposed a transitional stage of adulthood. What is it?

Answer 2

-emerging adulthood (17-22)

Question 3

The emerging adulthood stage exists in cultures where there are ____________ choices about occupational and social roles.

Answer 3

-multiple

Question 4

Define primary aging (senescence). Example (2)

Answer 4

-age-related physical changes that have a biological basis and are universally shared (and inevitable)
-grey hair, wrinkles

Question 5

Define secondary aging. Example (2)

Answer 5

-age-related changes that are not universal
-diabetes, cardiovascular disease

Question 6

Major spurt of development of __________ lobes begins in __________ and continues into early ___________.

Answer 6

-frontal; preadolescence; adulthood

Question 7

What things is the front lobe responsible for?

Answer 7

-logic, planning, emotional control

Question 8

During early adulthood, the ability of frontal lobes to regulate the _________ system _______?

Answer 8

-limbic; improves

Question 9

Since Piaget’s time, researchers have asked if there is a 5th stage of cognitive development after formal operational thinking. Is there?

Answer 9

-some researchers have proposed a stage called post formal though

Question 10

Researchers question if postformal thought is a ________ level of thought of just a __________ one.

Answer 10

-higher; different

Question 11

What does postformal thought develop in response to?

Answer 11

-the problems of adult life

Question 12

What are the three examples of postformal thought? (3)

Answer 12

-relativism
-dialectical thought
-reflective judgement

Question 13

Define relativism

Answer 13

-what is true or right depends on individual beliefs or cultural perspectives, not on universal rules.

Question 14

Define dialectical thought

Answer 14

-way of thinking that looks at opposing ideas or viewpoints and tries to find a balance or truth between them

Question 15

Define reflective judgement

Answer 15

-the ability to identify the underlying assumptions of differing perspectives on controversial issues

Question 16

What does an intelligence test measure?

Answer 16

-general thinking and reasoning skills compared to average performance of same age peers (IQ)

Question 17

What does the Wechsler scale for intelligence look at?

Answer 17

-verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, short term memory and processing speed

Question 18

What are potential limits of intelligence test? (4)

Answer 18

-language barriers
-cultural factors (certain cultures emphasize certain types of intelligence)
-test-taking ability
-focuses on one type of intelligence

Question 19

IQ scores remain ______ across middle childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.

Answer 19

-quite stable

Question 20

After age 60, IQ scores ______.

Answer 20

-decline

Question 21

What are two types of intelligence?

Answer 21

-crystallized intelligence
-fluid intelligence

Question 22

Define crystallized intelligence. Example (2)

Answer 22

-knowledge and skills you’ve gained through experience and learning. It improves with age as you learn more.
-knowing the definition of a word

Question 23

Define fluid intelligence. Example (2)

Answer 23

-the efficient functioning of the CNS
-the ability to think quickly

Question 24

Adults maintain _____________ intelligence throughout early and middle adulthood but ____ intelligence declines starting towards middle adulthood.

Answer 24

-crystallized; fluid

Question 25

What percent of Canadians aged 25-64 have post-secondary credential?

Answer 25

-66%

Question 26

______ of students have the same career goals at age 25 that they did at age 21.

Answer 26

-33%

Question 27

What is one skill students develop in post-secondary education?

Answer 27

-critical thinking skills