Chapter 15/16 - Middle Adulthood Flashcards
What ages is middle adulthood?
-40-60s
What tends to happen when we get into describing middle adulthood as a category for development?
-its hard to describe people in universal terms, its easier to focus on individual difference
Overall, what happens to cognitive abilities during this time period?
-some improve and some slow down a bit
The role of ________ may help middle adulthood cognitive abilities work better.
-expertise
Age-related changes for this age follow what?
-a typical curve known as Denney’s model of aging and performance
Skills not already fully exercised can be improved by what?
-by exercising these skills
What is selective optimization with compensation (Baltes and Baltes)?
-the process of balancing the gains and losses associated with aging
What does “selection” refer to in the Baltes and Baltes Model? (2)
-Focusing one’s resources on specific tasks by reducing distractions.
Example: Reducing distractions to carry out a task efficiently.
What does “optimization” mean in the context of the Baltes and Baltes Model?
-Improving and maintaining skills by exercising them as much as possible.
What are compensatory strategies in the Baltes and Baltes Model? Example? (2)
-Techniques used to offset the effects of aging.
Example: Using a hearing aid.
_________ may be one of the critical factors in determining an individual’s overall physical health and cognitive performance during middle adulthood.
-exercise
Is memory decline a clear linear trend with age?
-No, it is unclear if memory decline reflects a linear trend.
How does the subjective experience of memory change with age?
-The subjective experience of forgetfulness increases with age.
Why might middle-aged adults experience more memory challenges?
They may have more memory demands compared to other age groups.
At what age does memory task performance typically begin to decline?
-After age 55.
Which type of memory slows with age: episodic or semantic?
-Episodic memory for new memories slows, but semantic memory does not.
How do middle-aged adults compensate for episodic memory limitations?
-By using cues and reminders.
What is memory self-efficacy, and how does it change in middle age?
-refers to confidence in one’s memory abilities, and it tends to be high in middle age.
What happens to memory when engaging in challenging intellectual activities?
-Individuals show fewer memory losses. (use it or lose it)
How does practice affect memory tasks?
Practiced tasks, like vocabulary, are often maintained and show no decline until around age 65.
How do middle-aged adults perform in comprehending and remembering reading material?
-They show good memory for themes and meaning.
What is divergent thinking?
-producing multiple solutions to a problem
What is Daniel Goleman’s four stage creativity in problem solving? (4)
- Preparation - gathering information
- Incubation - problem sits without active attempt to solve
- Illumination - aha moment
- Translation - application of solution to the problem
What is Erikson’s crisis of middle adulthood?
-Generativity versus stagnation, focusing on contributing to the development of younger generations.
How can generativity manifest in middle and older adulthood?
-Through activities like parenting, grandparenting, mentoring, or leadership.
What is generativity positively related to?
-Life satisfaction and well-being.
How might Indigenous elders view generativity?
-As a form of resilience, especially in the context of cultural disruption or intergenerational trauma.
What is the stage Vaillant added after generativity versus stagnation?
-Keeper of the Meaning (versus rigidity), where individuals preserve institutions and values of the culture for future generations.
What does Vaillant emphasize about childhood experiences?
-Childhood experiences impact adult success and well-being, but adverse childhood experiences can be compensated for through resiliency and effective coping.
When was the concept of a mid-life crisis popularized, and what shift in perspective does it involve?
-The 1960s, involving a shift from “time since birth” to “time left before death.”
How have studies since the 1980s challenged the idea of a distinct mid-life crisis?
-Several studies have failed to identify specific ages for a mid-life crisis, suggesting that crisis resolution can occur gradually and continuously throughout adulthood.
What are the five life pathways related to midlife crisis identified in a longitudinal study on adults in their 50s? (5)
-Meandering Way - low sense of identity
-Straight and Narrow Path - routine, predictability
-Downward Slope - poor decisions lead to a turn
-Triumphant Trail - challenges but resilience
-Authentic Road - strong self-examination and purpose
What pathway is characterized by a low sense of identity?
-Meandering Way.
Which life pathway involves a focus on routine and predictability?
-straight and narrow pathway
What defines the “Triumphant Trail” life pathway?
It involves facing challenges with resilience.
What life pathway is associated with strong self-examination and purpose?
-Authentic Road.
What does the Life Events Approach propose regarding midlife crises?
-It proposes that adults respond to a series of normative and non-normative life events instead of experiencing a universal crisis.
What are normative life events?
-Events that typically occur at certain points in life, such as marriage, having children, or career milestones.
What are non-normative life events?
-Unexpected events that don’t follow typical life patterns, such as sudden illness, job loss, or divorce.
What are common stressors in middle adulthood?
Aging parents, shifts in parenting relationships, and work demands.
What is role conflict in middle adulthood?
-Role conflict occurs when individuals encounter roles that demand incompatible behaviors or when the total demands of various roles exceed the available time.
What is role strain?
-role strain occurs when a person’s current skills do not match the requirements of a given situation.
How can role conflict impact someone in middle adulthood?
-It can lead to stress, as individuals struggle to meet conflicting demands from different roles (e.g., being a parent, caregiver, and employee).
How can role strain affect someone in middle adulthood?
-It can cause frustration or stress when a person feels they lack the necessary skills or resources to fulfill their current responsibilities effectively.
What is the “Sandwich Generation”?
-The “Sandwich Generation” refers to middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for both aging parents and children.
What percentage of Canadian caregivers are considered part of the “Sandwich Generation”?
-Approximately 30% of Canadian caregivers are part of the Sandwich Generation.
What is caregiver burden?
-refers to the cumulative negative effects that result from the physical, emotional, and financial demands of caring for an elderly or disabled person.
What areas of life might be affected by caregiver burden?
-Caregiver burden can affect physical health, mental well-being, social life, work-life balance, and finances.
Despite the challenges, how do many caregivers feel about their role?
-The majority of caregivers report a sense of personal satisfaction from providing care, despite the challenges they face.
What percentage of Canadian adults become grandparents by age 65?
-Almost half of Canadian adults become grandparents by the end of middle adulthood (age 65).
What is the companionate style of grandparenting?
-The companionate style involves frequent contact and warm interactions, and is the most common pattern of grandparenting.
What is the remote style of grandparenting?
-The remote style refers to grandparents who don’t see their grandchildren often, having a more distant relationship.
What is the involved style of grandparenting?
-The involved style involves grandparents being directly engaged in everyday care or having close emotional ties with their grandchildren.
How does marital satisfaction change in mid-life?
-Marital satisfaction increases in mid-life, partly due to a decrease in conflict over child-rearing.
What is marital self-efficacy?
-Marital self-efficacy is the sense of control over one’s marriage, which increases in mid-life.
What is skilled diplomacy in relationships?
-Skilled diplomacy is a problem-solving approach in relationships that involves confronting an issue and then working to restore harmony.
How might personality change over time in partnerships?
-Personality may change over time, with traits such as agreeableness potentially increasing in mid-life.
How does the social network of middle-aged adults compare to earlier ages?
-The social network of middle-aged adults is relatively small, but the relationships are as intimate as at earlier ages.
How do shared friendships change in middle adulthood?
-For partnerships, shared friendships tend to increase in middle adulthood.
What is the relationship between strong friend networks and psychological health in middle adulthood?
-Having strong friend networks in middle adulthood is associated with better psychological health and well-being.
