Chapter 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Question 1

what is the life span?

Answer 1

max # of years an individual can live

Question 2

what is the average life expectancy?

Answer 2

78.6 years old
(note: decreased in 2020 and 2021)

Question 3

TRUE or FALSE: the U.S. has the lowest child and maternal mortality rates, homicide rate and body-mass index

Answer 3

FALSE: we have the highest out of all the high-income countries in the world

Question 4

how does life expectancy differ in men and women?

Answer 4

women have longer life expectancy
men are more likely to die from leading causes of death (sickness, accidents, diseases)

Question 5

out of all the ethnic groups, who is more likely to live longest?

Answer 5

Latino women (81.8 years)

Question 6

what are some associated factors that occur with centenarians?

Answer 6

low rates of age-associated diseases, good mental health, longevity genes, good coping skills

Question 7

explain the 4 Biological Theories of Aging:

Answer 7

-Evolutionary Theory: natural selection is linked to reproductive fitness…doesnt eliminate nonadaptive characteristics that occur after fertility has ended

-Cellular Clock Theory: every time a cell divides, telomeres become shorter…at some point it cant reproduce

-Free-Radical Theory: people age because when cells metabolize energy

-Hormonal Stress Theory: aging in the body’s hormonal system can lower resilience under stress and increase the likelihood of disease

Question 8

TRUE or FALSE: the brain decreases in weight and volume as you age?

Answer 8

TRUE!
(shrinkage or neurons, lower # of synapses, reduced complexity of axons and dendrites, demyelination)

Question 9

what happens when the prefrontal cortex shrinks?

Answer 9

there is a decrease in working memory

Question 10

TRUE or FALSE: the brain is more lateralized in older adults?

Answer 10

FALSE: less lateralized

(lateralization: specialization of function in one hemisphere of the brain or the other)

Question 11

what is the Nun Study? what did neuroscientists learn from this study?

Answer 11

largest group of nuns that donates that brains for scientific research
-learned the brain has remarkable capacity to change and grow

Question 12

how is physical appearance differ in late adulthood?

Answer 12

bone and muscle loss

Question 13

what is the leading cause of injury deaths among adults 65 and up?

Answer 13

falls

Question 14

what is vision and hearing decline associated with?

Answer 14

-cognitive decline
-having fewer social contacts
-engaging in less challenging social/leisure activities
-more depressive symptoms
-increased loneliness

Question 15

what is macular degernation?

Answer 15

a disease that involves the deterioration of the macula of the retina, which corresponds to the focal center of the visual field

Question 16

what are some things that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 16

medications, a healthy diet, and exercise

Question 17

TRUE or FALSE: poor sleep is associated with a lower level of cognitive functioning

Answer 17

TRUE

Question 18

what are some common chronic disorders in late adulthood?

Answer 18

arthritis, hypertension, osteoporosis

Question 19

what can exercise improve your health as an older adult?

Answer 19

-linked to increased longevity
-reduce risk of common chronic diseases
-improves cellular functioning, immune system functioning
-can increase muscle and bone mass
-linked to improve cognitive functoining

Question 20

what is an important factor related to health in a nursing home?

Answer 20

patient’s feelings of control and self-determinatoin

Question 21

how does cognitive functioning change in late adulthood?

Answer 21

-selective attention decreases
-sustained attention stays the same
-explicit memory is affected by aging more than implicit memory
-declines in working memory
-declines in perceptual speed

Question 22

TRUE or FALSE: high levels of wisdom are common?

Answer 22

FALSE: its rare

Question 23

what are 3 important influences on the cognitive functioning of older adults?

Answer 23

1.education
2.work
3.health

Question 24

What activities will benefit the maintenance of cognitive skills in older adults?

Answer 24

reading books, doing crossword puzzles, going to lectures and concerts, mentally stimulating activities (sudoku), high engagement in social activities

Question 25

adults who work beyond retirement are motivated by:

Answer 25

financial status, health, knowledge, and purpose in life

Question 26

what is Alzheimer Disease?

Answer 26

a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that is characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and eventually physical function

Question 27

what is Parkinson Disease?

Answer 27

a chronic, progressive disorder characterized by muscle tremors, slowing of movement, and partial facial paralysis