Chapter 3 Vocabulary Flashcards
age norms
Formal and informal rules defining “appropriate” circumstances, behaviors, and experiences for particular ages and life phases
age stratification
Hierarchical ranking based upon age or age group
emerging adulthood
A phase marked by experiences of identity exploration, instability in circumstances, and self-focus
gerontocracy
A society in which significantly older elites wield a substantial amount of seniority-based power
invisible referent
The “normal” or default category by which other categories are delineated
life stages
Phases of age-related statuses and roles
middle-old
Ages 74 to 84
neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to respond to its surroundings
oldest old
Ages 85 and above
self-concept
Our collection of beliefs about ourselves
social construction
A specific, observable process of humans together assigning meanings to the phenomena around us
subjective age
How individuals experience themselves as being older, younger, or equal to their chronological age
The Third Age
A period of life between formal or informal retirement and the point in later life when health challenges significantly restrict one’s daily activities
young-old
Ages 65-75
