Chapter 15/16

Question 1

_______ proposes that changes with age on nearly any measure of physical or cognitive functioning follow a typical curve.

Answer 1

Nancy Denney

Question 2

_____ abilities will generally have a lower peak level of performance.

Answer 2

Unexercised

Question 3

________ abilities will generally have a higher peak level of performance.

Answer 3

Exercised

Question 4

Any skill (physical or mental) that is not fully exercised can be _________________, even in old age, if the individual begins to exercise that ability.

Answer 4

improved

Question 5

Selective optimization with compensation

Answer 5

• process of balancing the gains and losses associated with aging
• optimize skills they think can be improved

Question 6

Cognitive decline is linked to

Answer 6

CVD

Question 7

____ is linked to lower levels of disease and greater longevity.

Answer 7

Exercise

Question 8

Major deficits in memory & cognition do not occur until between _____.

Answer 8

ages 60 to 65

Question 9

The subjective experience of forgetfulness ____ with age.

Answer 9

increases

Question 10

Memory demands of middle-aged adults’ everyday lives are ________________ than for those of young adults.

Answer 10

greater

Question 11

What senses change in middle age?

Answer 11

• visual memory declines

- memory for auditory stimuli retains

Question 12

_____ capacity stays stable throughout adulthood, but the ability to use this capacity efficiently changes.

Answer 12

Short-term (working) memory

Question 13

Episodic Memory

Answer 13

• ability to re-experience personal events

- slows with age

Question 14

Example of episodic memory?

Answer 14

(what I had for breakfast)

Question 15

Semantic Memory

Answer 15

• general knowledge of the world, facts, & meaning of words

- does not slow with age

Question 16

How do middle-aged adults overcome episodic memory limitations?

Answer 16

• using reminders, or cues

Question 17

Most adults maintain or even gain in skills on any task that they practice often or that is based on specific learning.

Answer 17

Use it or Lose it

Question 18

When do verbal abilities decline?

Answer 18

• age 65

Question 19

____ in a particular field helps compensate for age-related deficits in cognitive functioning.

Answer 19

Expertise

Question 20

Middle aged adults pay more attention to _____

Answer 20

overarching themes than to details

Question 21

These adults perform better on tasks that involve comprehending/remembering material

Answer 21

middle-aged

Question 22

______ identified the age at which notable scientists published their first significant work, their best work, and their last work.

• Best work at about age 40

Answer 22

• Simonton

- at about age 40

Question 23

______ is a type of thought process called divergent thinking which provides multiple solutions to problems that have no clear answers.

Answer 23

Creativity

Question 24

Generativity versus Stagnation Stage (Erikson)

Answer 24

Middle-aged adults find meaning in contributing to the development of younger individuals.

Question 25

Generativity

Answer 25

A sense that one is making a valuable contribution to society by bringing up children or mentoring younger people in some way.

Question 25

Give examples of Generativity?

Answer 25

• mentoring younger people (teaching, mentoring, leading in civic, religious or charitable organizations)

Question 26

Research on generativity is…

Answer 26

• positively relate to mental health
• more common theme for women
• prominent in middle age
• two-way street

Question 27

Vaillant’s Revision of Erikson’s Theory

Answer 27

• keeper of meaning
• preserving institutions and values
• ex: valuing asian heritage

Question 28

Midlife crisis

Answer 28

• I didn’t get to do it (sense of urgency)

- boredom

Question 29

Life events approach

Answer 29

non-normative = inc. stress, various roles

normative events

Question 30

Role conflict

Answer 30

• two or more roles at least partially incompatible

Question 31

Role strain

Answer 31

• not prepared for

Question 32

Role strain

Answer 32

• not prepared for

Question 33

Skilled diplomacy

Answer 33

• confrontation of the spouse

- restore hormony

Question 34

Sandwich generation

Answer 34

• children vs. aging parents

Question 35

Styles of grandparenting

Answer 35

• compassionate
• remote
• involved

Question 36

Compassionate

Answer 36

• frequent contact & warm interactions with grandchildren

Question 37

Remote

Answer 37

• do not see their grandchildren often

Question 38

Involved

Answer 38

• directly involved in everyday care, or have close emotional ties with them

Question 39

Friends

Answer 39

• less
• provide support as needed
• less demand for social network

Question 40

Which personality increases up until around age 70?

Answer 40

• agreeableness

- conscientiousness

Question 41

Many individuals, particularly women, become ____________________ over time.

Answer 41

less negative

Question 42

Tolerance for risk-taking & impulsivity _________________ with age.

Answer 42

decline