Chapter 15

Question 1

Cognitive changes in middle adulthood

Answer 1

Crystallized intelligence
◦ Continues to increase
Fluid intelligence
◦ Decreases (starting in the 20’s)
◦ Perceptual speed in particular declines
Peak skills:
◦ Verbal, reasoning, spatial orientation, and numeric

Question 2

Middle-aged adults are less able to

Answer 2

Divide attention
Switch from one task to the next
Not be distracted

Question 3

Perspectives on cognitive declines

Answer 3

Neural Network View
◦ Breaks in neural networks caused by neuron death are “repaired” by less-efficient “by-passes” (new synapses)
Information-loss View
◦ Information is lost as it moves through the cognitive system
◦ The whole system is slowed down
◦ Photocopy analogy ~ complex tasks have many processing steps

Question 4

Changes in memory (middle adulthood)

Answer 4

Working memory declines
◦ Less likely to use memory strategies
There are ways to enhance memory!
◦ Deliberate training
◦ Timing matters

Question 5

Reproductive changes in women

Answer 5

Climacteric
◦ A 10 year period consisting of a ↓ in estrogen and concluding in menopause
◦ Emotional and physical symptoms
◦ Psychological reactions
◦ Hormone therapy helps ease discomforts

Question 6

Reproductive changes in men

Answer 6

Quantity of semen ↓
Trouble with erections

Question 7

Cognitive achievements (middle adulthood)

Answer 7

Practical problem-solving
◦ Expertise peaks in midlife
◦ Better at thinking through problems
◦ See them from different perspectives
◦ Logical analysis
◦ Rational decision makers

Question 8

Physical changes in middle adulthood (vision)

Answer 8

Presbyopia – loss in lens accommodation
◦ Trouble seeing in dim light
◦ More sensitive to glare
◦ Less color discrimination
Glaucoma – buildup of pressure in the eye
◦ Damage to the optic nerve
◦ Gradual vision loss

Question 9

Physical changes in middle adulthood (hearing)

Answer 9

Presbycusis – trouble hearing high
frequencies and then other tones

Question 10

Physical changes in middle adulthood (skin)

Answer 10

Wrinkles, loosens, dries, age spots
Muscle declines, fat deposits increase

Question 11

Physical changes in middle adulthood (bone density)

Answer 11

Declines
Especially for women post menopause
Height loss and bone fractures

Question 12

Health changes and concerns

Answer 12

Cancer death rate increases
◦ Heredity, aging, environment
CVD increases
◦ Men at greater risk
◦ Risk factors: high BP and cholesterol, high stress
◦ Type A personality: especially anger and hostility
Osteoporosis
◦ Severe age-related bone loss
◦ Especially postmenopausal women

Question 13

Coping with midlife

Answer 13

Managing stress
◦ Reducing anger
◦ Social support
Exercise  better physical and mental health
Hardiness
◦ Control, commitment, and challenge