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PSYC 2235 - Lifespan Development > Chapter 15/16 - Middle Adulthood > Flashcards

Chapter 15/16 - Middle Adulthood Flashcards

1
Q

What ages is middle adulthood?

A

-40-60s

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2
Q

What tends to happen when we get into describing middle adulthood as a category for development?

A

-its hard to describe people in universal terms, its easier to focus on individual difference

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3
Q

Overall, what happens to cognitive abilities during this time period?

A

-some improve and some slow down a bit

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4
Q

The role of ________ may help middle adulthood cognitive abilities work better.

A

-expertise

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5
Q

Age-related changes for this age follow what?

A

-a typical curve known as Denney’s model of aging and performance

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6
Q

Skills not already fully exercised can be improved by what?

A

-by exercising these skills

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7
Q

What is selective optimization with compensation (Baltes and Baltes)?

A

-the process of balancing the gains and losses associated with aging

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8
Q

What does “selection” refer to in the Baltes and Baltes Model? (2)

A

-Focusing one’s resources on specific tasks by reducing distractions.
Example: Reducing distractions to carry out a task efficiently.

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9
Q

What does “optimization” mean in the context of the Baltes and Baltes Model?

A

-Improving and maintaining skills by exercising them as much as possible.

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10
Q

What are compensatory strategies in the Baltes and Baltes Model? Example? (2)

A

-Techniques used to offset the effects of aging.
Example: Using a hearing aid.

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11
Q

_________ may be one of the critical factors in determining an individual’s overall physical health and cognitive performance during middle adulthood.

A

-exercise

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12
Q

Is memory decline a clear linear trend with age?

A

-No, it is unclear if memory decline reflects a linear trend.

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13
Q

How does the subjective experience of memory change with age?

A

-The subjective experience of forgetfulness increases with age.

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14
Q

Why might middle-aged adults experience more memory challenges?

A

They may have more memory demands compared to other age groups.

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15
Q

At what age does memory task performance typically begin to decline?

A

-After age 55.

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16
Q

Which type of memory slows with age: episodic or semantic?

A

-Episodic memory for new memories slows, but semantic memory does not.

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17
Q

How do middle-aged adults compensate for episodic memory limitations?

A

-By using cues and reminders.

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18
Q

What is memory self-efficacy, and how does it change in middle age?

A

-refers to confidence in one’s memory abilities, and it tends to be high in middle age.

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19
Q

What happens to memory when engaging in challenging intellectual activities?

A

-Individuals show fewer memory losses. (use it or lose it)

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20
Q

How does practice affect memory tasks?

A

Practiced tasks, like vocabulary, are often maintained and show no decline until around age 65.

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21
Q

How do middle-aged adults perform in comprehending and remembering reading material?

A

-They show good memory for themes and meaning.

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22
Q

What is divergent thinking?

A

-producing multiple solutions to a problem

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23
Q

What is Daniel Goleman’s four stage creativity in problem solving? (4)

A
  1. Preparation - gathering information
  2. Incubation - problem sits without active attempt to solve
  3. Illumination - aha moment
  4. Translation - application of solution to the problem
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24
Q

What is Erikson’s crisis of middle adulthood?

A

-Generativity versus stagnation, focusing on contributing to the development of younger generations.

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25
Q

How can generativity manifest in middle and older adulthood?

A

-Through activities like parenting, grandparenting, mentoring, or leadership.

26
Q

What is generativity positively related to?

A

-Life satisfaction and well-being.

27
Q

How might Indigenous elders view generativity?

A

-As a form of resilience, especially in the context of cultural disruption or intergenerational trauma.

28
Q

What is the stage Vaillant added after generativity versus stagnation?

A

-Keeper of the Meaning (versus rigidity), where individuals preserve institutions and values of the culture for future generations.

29
Q

What does Vaillant emphasize about childhood experiences?

A

-Childhood experiences impact adult success and well-being, but adverse childhood experiences can be compensated for through resiliency and effective coping.

30
Q

When was the concept of a mid-life crisis popularized, and what shift in perspective does it involve?

A

-The 1960s, involving a shift from “time since birth” to “time left before death.”

31
Q

How have studies since the 1980s challenged the idea of a distinct mid-life crisis?

A

-Several studies have failed to identify specific ages for a mid-life crisis, suggesting that crisis resolution can occur gradually and continuously throughout adulthood.

32
Q

What are the five life pathways related to midlife crisis identified in a longitudinal study on adults in their 50s? (5)

A

-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

33
Q

What pathway is characterized by a low sense of identity?

A

-Meandering Way.

34
Q

Which life pathway involves a focus on routine and predictability?

A

-straight and narrow pathway

35
Q

What defines the “Triumphant Trail” life pathway?

A

It involves facing challenges with resilience.

36
Q

What life pathway is associated with strong self-examination and purpose?

A

-Authentic Road.

37
Q

What does the Life Events Approach propose regarding midlife crises?

A

-It proposes that adults respond to a series of normative and non-normative life events instead of experiencing a universal crisis.

38
Q

What are normative life events?

A

-Events that typically occur at certain points in life, such as marriage, having children, or career milestones.

39
Q

What are non-normative life events?

A

-Unexpected events that don’t follow typical life patterns, such as sudden illness, job loss, or divorce.

40
Q

What are common stressors in middle adulthood?

A

Aging parents, shifts in parenting relationships, and work demands.

41
Q

What is role conflict in middle adulthood?

A

-Role conflict occurs when individuals encounter roles that demand incompatible behaviors or when the total demands of various roles exceed the available time.

42
Q

What is role strain?

A

-role strain occurs when a person’s current skills do not match the requirements of a given situation.

43
Q

How can role conflict impact someone in middle adulthood?

A

-It can lead to stress, as individuals struggle to meet conflicting demands from different roles (e.g., being a parent, caregiver, and employee).

44
Q

How can role strain affect someone in middle adulthood?

A

-It can cause frustration or stress when a person feels they lack the necessary skills or resources to fulfill their current responsibilities effectively.

45
Q

What is the “Sandwich Generation”?

A

-The “Sandwich Generation” refers to middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for both aging parents and children.

46
Q

What percentage of Canadian caregivers are considered part of the “Sandwich Generation”?

A

-Approximately 30% of Canadian caregivers are part of the Sandwich Generation.

47
Q

What is caregiver burden?

A

-refers to the cumulative negative effects that result from the physical, emotional, and financial demands of caring for an elderly or disabled person.

48
Q

What areas of life might be affected by caregiver burden?

A

-Caregiver burden can affect physical health, mental well-being, social life, work-life balance, and finances.

49
Q

Despite the challenges, how do many caregivers feel about their role?

A

-The majority of caregivers report a sense of personal satisfaction from providing care, despite the challenges they face.

50
Q

What percentage of Canadian adults become grandparents by age 65?

A

-Almost half of Canadian adults become grandparents by the end of middle adulthood (age 65).

51
Q

What is the companionate style of grandparenting?

A

-The companionate style involves frequent contact and warm interactions, and is the most common pattern of grandparenting.

52
Q

What is the remote style of grandparenting?

A

-The remote style refers to grandparents who don’t see their grandchildren often, having a more distant relationship.

53
Q

What is the involved style of grandparenting?

A

-The involved style involves grandparents being directly engaged in everyday care or having close emotional ties with their grandchildren.

54
Q

How does marital satisfaction change in mid-life?

A

-Marital satisfaction increases in mid-life, partly due to a decrease in conflict over child-rearing.

55
Q

What is marital self-efficacy?

A

-Marital self-efficacy is the sense of control over one’s marriage, which increases in mid-life.

56
Q

What is skilled diplomacy in relationships?

A

-Skilled diplomacy is a problem-solving approach in relationships that involves confronting an issue and then working to restore harmony.

57
Q

How might personality change over time in partnerships?

A

-Personality may change over time, with traits such as agreeableness potentially increasing in mid-life.

58
Q

How does the social network of middle-aged adults compare to earlier ages?

A

-The social network of middle-aged adults is relatively small, but the relationships are as intimate as at earlier ages.

59
Q

How do shared friendships change in middle adulthood?

A

-For partnerships, shared friendships tend to increase in middle adulthood.

60
Q

What is the relationship between strong friend networks and psychological health in middle adulthood?

A

-Having strong friend networks in middle adulthood is associated with better psychological health and well-being.

61
Q
A

PSYC 2235 - Lifespan Development (15 decks)

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