Chapter 15/16 Flashcards
_______ proposes that changes with age on nearly any measure of physical or cognitive functioning follow a typical curve.
Nancy Denney
_____ abilities will generally have a lower peak level of performance.
Unexercised
________ abilities will generally have a higher peak level of performance.
Exercised
Any skill (physical or mental) that is not fully exercised can be _________________, even in old age, if the individual begins to exercise that ability.
improved
Selective optimization with compensation
- process of balancing the gains and losses associated with aging
- optimize skills they think can be improved
Cognitive decline is linked to
CVD
____ is linked to lower levels of disease and greater longevity.
Exercise
Major deficits in memory & cognition do not occur until between _____.
ages 60 to 65
The subjective experience of forgetfulness ____ with age.
increases
Memory demands of middle-aged adults’ everyday lives are ________________ than for those of young adults.
greater
What senses change in middle age?
- visual memory declines
- memory for auditory stimuli retains
_____ capacity stays stable throughout adulthood, but the ability to use this capacity efficiently changes.
Short-term (working) memory
Episodic Memory
- ability to re-experience personal events
- slows with age
Example of episodic memory?
(what I had for breakfast)
Semantic Memory
- general knowledge of the world, facts, & meaning of words
- does not slow with age
How do middle-aged adults overcome episodic memory limitations?
- using reminders, or cues
Most adults maintain or even gain in skills on any task that they practice often or that is based on specific learning.
Use it or Lose it
When do verbal abilities decline?
- age 65
____ in a particular field helps compensate for age-related deficits in cognitive functioning.
Expertise
Middle aged adults pay more attention to _____
overarching themes than to details
These adults perform better on tasks that involve comprehending/remembering material
middle-aged
______ 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
- Simonton
- at about age 40
______ is a type of thought process called divergent thinking which provides multiple solutions to problems that have no clear answers.
Creativity
Generativity versus Stagnation Stage (Erikson)
Middle-aged adults find meaning in contributing to the development of younger individuals.
Generativity
A sense that one is making a valuable contribution to society by bringing up children or mentoring younger people in some way.
Give examples of Generativity?
- mentoring younger people (teaching, mentoring, leading in civic, religious or charitable organizations)
Research on generativity is…
- positively relate to mental health
- more common theme for women
- prominent in middle age
- two-way street
Vaillant’s Revision of Erikson’s Theory
- keeper of meaning
- preserving institutions and values
- ex: valuing asian heritage
Midlife crisis
- I didn’t get to do it (sense of urgency)
- boredom
Life events approach
non-normative = inc. stress, various roles
normative events
Role conflict
- two or more roles at least partially incompatible
Role strain
- not prepared for
Role strain
- not prepared for
Skilled diplomacy
- confrontation of the spouse
- restore hormony
Sandwich generation
- children vs. aging parents
Styles of grandparenting
- compassionate
- remote
- involved
Compassionate
- frequent contact & warm interactions with grandchildren
Remote
- do not see their grandchildren often
Involved
- directly involved in everyday care, or have close emotional ties with them
Friends
- less
- provide support as needed
- less demand for social network
Which personality increases up until around age 70?
- agreeableness
- conscientiousness
Many individuals, particularly women, become ____________________ over time.
less negative
Tolerance for risk-taking & impulsivity _________________ with age.
decline
