demographics and age categories

Question 1

Life-span perspective

Answer 1

Divides human development into two phases:
1: early (childhood and adolescence)
2. Later (young adulthood, middle age, and old age)

Paul Baltes seven key features:
Lifelong process
–Multi-directionality
–Plasticity
–Historical context
–Multiple causation
–Involves both gain and loss
–Product of nature and nurture
–Must be studied by multiple
disciplines

Question 2

Forces of development

Answer 2

-Biological
-Psychological
-Sociocultural

-Life cycle forces reflect differences in how the same event affects people at different points in life

Question 3

Normative age-graded influences

Answer 3

expected, parents before kids

Question 4

Non-normative influences

Answer 4

non expected, kid dies

Question 5

Culture

Answer 5

shared basic value orientations, norms, beliefs, and customary habits and ways of living.

Important to gerontology

Question 6

Meaning of age

Answer 6

Primary aging: disease free, normal

Secondary aging: changes related to environment

Tertiary aging- rapid losses that occur shortly before death

Question 7

Definitions of age

Answer 7

*Chronological age, calendar time

• Perceived age, you think your self as
• Biological age, functioning of vital systems
• Psychological age, psychological abilities
• Sociocultural age, set of roles (customs, dress, interpersonal style

Question 8

Age categories of older Americans

Answer 8

Young-old (65 to 74)

Aged or old old (75 to 84)

Oldest-old (85+ to 99)

Centenarians (100+)

Baby boomers: emerging old (1940-1950)

Question 9

Older women and men

Answer 9

Women outnumber men

25% of women and 7% of men are widowed

15% of women and 55% of men are married

older women are more likely than older men to live in poverty

Question 10

Life expectancy

Answer 10

Life expectancy refers to the average time a person is expected to live

US Life expectancy: 79

Women live an average of 5. years longer than men

non-hispanic whites live an average of 5 years longer than non-hispanic blacks

Question 11

The oldest-old population is predominantly male.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

The age category of older adults that goes from 65 to 74 years is called:

Answer 12

Young-old

Question 13

Baby boomers account for the largest group of persons ever born in one period of American History.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

The median age, or the age that divides a population into two groups (half younger, half older), is:

Answer 14

Rising over time with a projected increase to 39 years of age by 2030.

Question 15

The life-span perspective emphasizes that some periods of human life are more important than others.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

The life expectancy of persons aged 65 and older in the United States is lower than that of many other industrialized countries.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Why does having a higher income lead to a longer life?

Answer 17

There is better access to good health care and healthier lifestyles

Question 18

While improvements in life expectancy have occurred across racial groups, racial differences in life expectancy and survivorship remain to this day.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

As the older population in the United States continues to grow larger, it will also grow more racially diverse.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Quantitative methodology

Answer 20

Emphasizes precise measurements and statistical analysis of target concepts

Question 21

Qualitative methodology

Answer 21

Has emphasis on “understanding.” It explores the depth, richness, and complexity inherent in the phenomen.

Question 22

Empirical article

Answer 22

Article reports the results of a study that uses data (participants or objects). Can be qualitative or quantitative.

Question 23

Theoretical Article

Answer 23

Author presents original theory of their own or shows how new theories links with previous theories.

Question 24

Reliable resources

Answer 24

Peer-reviewed or from websites with expertise in the field (edu, org, gov)