Exam 3 Flashcards
1
Q
Define senescence
A
A gradual physical decline related to aging (when growth stops) (affects every part of the body, visible, invisible)
2
Q
Define infertility
A
The inability to conceive a child after trying for at least a year
3
Q
Why does infertility typically occur?
A
- Age (both)
- Male: Low sperm count-age, anything that impairs body functioning for over 75 days reduces sperm count, pollution, stress, STIs
- Female: anything that impairs body functioning, pelvic inflammatory disease, STIs,
4
Q
What is ART?
A
Assisted reproductive technology- helps many couples overcome various fertility obstacles
5
Q
What are ways to overcome infertility?
A
- surgery to repair male or female reproductive systems
- Assisted reproductive technology
-in vitro fertilization (iVF)- ova (egg cells) are surgically removed from a woman and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, fertilized cells divide several time, then inserted into woman’s uterus
(May increase illness, birth defects, low birth weight, twins, triplets)
6
Q
Define menopause
A
The time in middle age, usually around 50, when a woman’s menstrual periods cease and the production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone drops. Menopause is dated one year after a woman’s last menstrual period.
7
Q
Define andropause
A
A term coined to signify a drop in testosterone levels in older men, which normally results in reduced sexual desire, erections, and muscle mass
8
Q
If severe brain loss occurs before late adulthood, the cause is not normal senescence but one of the following
A
Drug abuse- all psychoactive drugs harm the brain, especially excessive alch use
Poor circulation-everything that impairs blood flow (high blood pressure, smoking) impairs cognition
Viruses- can destroy neurons
Genes- Alzheimer’s disease gene and other genes also affect the brain
9
Q
What are changes in the brain with age?
A
- neurons fire more slowly
- messages sent from the axon of one neuron are not picked up as quickly by the dendrites of other neurons
- reaction time lengthens
- multitasking becomes harder
- processing takes longer
- complex working-memory taste become virtually impossible
(A few individuals experience significant brain loss w age)
10
Q
Define mortality
A
Death
11
Q
Define morbidity
A
Disease, the rates of which depend partly on diagnosis
12
Q
Define disability
A
The usual result of morbidity, is the inability to do something that people usually do.
(Ex: vision loss)
13
Q
Define vitality
A
Some people with morbid conditions that increase disability and the risk of mortality are nonetheless happy and active
14
Q
What’s the leading cause of death for adults 25-65?
A
Cancer (due to lifestyle)
15
Q
What are the smoking rates in the U.S?
A
- Lung cancer deaths for 55-64 yr old males are about half what they were in 1970
- women’s smoking has increased over time (rates for women’s lung cancer deaths has increased) (doubling from 1980-2008)
- long-term effects of smoking include reduced oxygen intake and this lower vitality
- cancer deaths are decreasing in most developed nations, including the U.S
16
Q
How much does metabolism decrease between the ages 20-60?
A
1/3
17
Q
Define stressor
A
Any situation, event, experience, or other stimulus that causes a person to feel stressed
18
Q
Define problem-focused coping
A
A strategy to deal with stress by tackling a stressful situation directly
19
Q
Define emotion-focused coping
A
A strategy to deal with stress by changing feelings about the stressor rather than changing the stressor itself
20
Q
Define general intelligence (g)
A
The idea of g assumes that intelligence is one basic trait, underlying all cognitive abilities.
21
Q
What is the Flynn effect?
A
The rise in average IQ scores that has occurred over the decades in many nations
22
Q
Define Seattle-longitudinal study
A
The first cross-sequential study of adult intelligence. Study from 1956-2005
23
Q
Define fluid intelligence
A
Those types of basic intelligence that make learning of all sorts quick and thorough.
(Abilities such a short-term memory, abstract thought, and speed of thinking are all usually considered parts of fluid intelligence)
24
Q
Define crystallized intelligence
A
Those types of intellectual ability that reflect accumulated learning.
(vocabulary and general information are examples. Some developmental psychologists think crystallized intelligence increases with age, while fluid intelligence declines)
25
Define analytic intelligence
A form of intelligence that involves such mental processes as abstract planning, strategy selection, focused attention, and information processing, as well as verbal and logical skills
26
Define creative intelligence
A form of intelligence that involves the capacity to be intellectually flexible and innovative
27
Define practical intelligence
The intellectual skills used in everyday problem solving
| Tactic intelligence
28
What is selective optimization with compensation?
The theory, developed by Paul and Margret Baltes, that people try to maintain a balance in their lives by looking for the best way to compensate for physical and cognitive losses and to become more proficient in activities they can already do
29
Define expert
One who is notably more accomplished, proficient, and/or knowledgeable in a particular skill, topic, or task than the average person
30
Define expertise
A person's ability to be more accomplished at a particular skill, or to have better knowledge of a particular subject, than the average person
31
Define automatic processing
Thinking that occurs without deliberate, conscious thought. Experts process most tasks automatically, saving conscious thought for unfamiliar challenges
32
Define midlife crisis
A supposed period of unusual anxiety, radical self-reexamination, and sudden transformation that was once widely associated with middle age but that actually had more to do with developmental history than with chronological age
33
What are the big five?
Openness- imaginative, curious, artistic, creative, open to new experiences
Conscientiousness- organized, deliberate, conforming, self-disciplined
Extroversion- outgoing, assertive, active
Agreeableness- kind, helpful, easygoing, generous
Neuroticism- anxious, moody, self-punishing, critical
34
What are Erikson's stages of adulthood?
Identity vs role confusion- identity crisis (sexual/gender, vocational/work, religious/spiritual, and political/ethnic)
Intimacy vs isolation- seeking a close, reciprocal connection with another person.
Generativity vs stagnation- caring for the next generation
Integrity vs despair- helping all humanity
35
As children live apart from their parents their relationship w them becomes?
Stronger
36
What can enhance closeness in sibling relationships?
Marriage, childbearing
37
What do parents provide to their adult children more so than vice versa
Financial, emotional support
38
What is strongly affected by adult lives of their children?
A parents satisfaction
39
Define fictive kin
Someone who becomes accepted as part of a family to which he or she has no blood relation
40
Define empty nest
The time in the lives of parents when their children have left the family home to pursue their own lives
41
Define kinkeeper
A caregiver who takes responsibility for maintaining communication among family members
42
Define extrinsic rewards of work
The tangible benefits, usually in the form of compensation that one receives for doing a job (ex: salary)
43
Define intrinsic rewards of work
The intangible gratification that come from within oneself as a result of doing a job
(ex: Pride, job satisfaction)
44
Define flextime
An arrangement in which work schedules are flexible so that employees can balance personal and occupational responsibilities
45
Define telecommuting
Working at home and keeping in touch with the office via computer, telephone, and scanner
46
Define familism
The belief that family members should support one another, sacrificing individual freedom and success, if necessary, in order to preserve family unity and protect the family from outside forces
47
Define cross-sectional research
A research design that compares groups of people who differ in age but are similar in other important characteristics
48
Define cross-sequential research
A hybrid research design in which researchers first study several groups of people of different ages and then follows those groups over the years
49
Define longitudinal research
A research design in which the same individuals are followed over time and their development is repeatedly assessed
50
The rate of obesity _____ with age until late adulthood?
Increases
51
In the U.S ______percent of adults are overweight w a BMI above 25
65-70
52
How much of overweight people are obese?
More than half
53
What are the countries with the highest rates of overweight (in order)
- U.S
- Mexico
- Germany
- Brazil
54
What are the causes of obesity?
Inactivity- exercise protects against illness, disease, heart benefits, etc.
Depression
Poor eating choices
Stress
55
What is generativity vs stagnation
- The seventh of Erikson's eight stages of development
- Adults seek to be productive in a caring way, perhaps through art, caregiving, and employment
- chief form is "establishing and guiding the next generation" (usually through parenthood)
56
Challenges of stepparenting, adoption, and caring for foster children
Foster children- intimacy needs to be met, loving bond
Step parenting- may be strongly connected to biological parents, Childs reckless behavior causes distance between stepparent and them
Adoption- more advantages than other two, strong bonds often develop, secure attachments, but children who spend their early years in an institution may never be attached to anyone-may be fearful to love anyone
57
Define the sandwich generation
The generation of middle-aged people who are supposedly "squeezed" by the need of the younger and older members of their families. In reality, some adults do feel pressured by these obligation, but most are not burdened by them, either because they enjoy fulfilling them or because they choose to take on only some of them or none of them
58
Caring for elderly relative can affect what
Sibling relationships- one sibling usually becomes the chief caregiver, to the resentment of everyone else
Marriages- spouses can become resentful if ones spouses elderly relatives is not what the other spouse anticipated
Employment
59
Why are jobs usually lost?
- employer downsize
- reorganize
- relocate
- outsource
- merge
- sometimes adults quit due to dissatisfaction or frustration
60
As adults grow older, Job changes become increasingly stressful, why?
1) seniority brings higher salaries, more respect, and greater expertise; workers who leave a job they have had for years lose these advantages
2) many skills required for employment were not taught decades ago, and many employers are reluctant to hire and train older workers
3) age discrimination is illegal, but workers are convinced that it is common (even if not true we know from stereotype threat that it undercuts success in job searches
4) relocation reduces both intimacy and generativity
61
What is one crucial variable for job satisfaction?
-whether employees can choose their own hours
62
What percent of contemporary U.s adults will never make a marriage-like commitment that is expected to last
10%
63
Marital happiness over the years
First 6 months- honeymoon period-happiest of all
6 months to 5 years- happiness dips; divorce is more common now than later in marriage
5-10 years- happiness holds steady
10-20 years- happiness dips as children reach puberty
20-30 years- happiness rises when children leave the nest
30-50 years- happiness is high and steady, barring serious health problems
64
What effects does cohabitation have on couples
- less chances of a happy marriage (same for couples who have sex within first months of being together)
- less children
- man earn less money
- woman spends less time on household tasks
65
What is "living apart together"?
They have separate residence, but especially when the partners are older than 30, May be committed to each other, perhaps functioning as a couple for decades
66
Why do people divorce?
-some aspect of the marriage has become difficult to endure
67
What are the effects of divorce?
- reduced income
- lost friendships (other couples)
- weakened relationships with the children (immediately and when children become adults)
68
What are stressors for divorce before marriage
- divorced parents
- either partner is under 21
- family opposed
- cohabitation before marriage
- previous divorce of either partner
- large discrepancy in age, background, interests, values
69
Stressors for divorce during marriage
- divergent plans and practices regarding childbearing and child rearing
- financial stress, unemployment
- substance abuse
- communication difficulties
- lack of time together
- emotional or physical abuse
- unsupportive relatives
70
Stressors for divorce in culture
- high divorce rate in cohort
- weak religious values
- laws that make divorce easier
- approval of remarriage
- acceptance of single parenthood
71
Who does divorce affect?
- family problems arise with children and other relatives (custodial parents become stricter and noncustodial parents feel excluded)
- relationships with in-laws disappears (almost always)
- intimacy is diminished
- some adults confide their trouble to their children, which may help the adults with intimacy needs but does not help children
- children need more parental help than before
72
Income, family welfare, and self esteem are ____ among the formerly married than among people the same age who are still married or who have always been single
Lower
73
What helps Holden cope with divorce
Developing a stronger and warmer mother child relationship
74
Define young old
Healthy, vigorous, financially secure older adults (generally 60-75) who are well integrated into the lives of their families and communities
75
Define old old
Older adults (generally older than 75) who suffer from physical, mental, and social deficits
76
Define oldest old
Elderly adults (generally older than 85) who are dependent on others for almost everything, requiring supportive services such as nursing homes and hospital stays
77
Define wear and tear (theory of aging)
A view of aging as a process by which the human body wears outs because of the passage of time and exposure to environmental stressors
(Applies to some body parts, it does not explain overall aging)
78
Define generic clock (theory of aging)
a purported mechanism in the DNA of cells that regulates the aging process by triggering hormonal changes and controlling cellular reproduction and repair
79
Define cellular aging (theory of aging)
The ways in which molecules and cells are affected by age. Many theories aim to explain how and why aging causes cells to deteriorate
Toxins damage cells over time, so minor errors in copying accumulate.
The job of the cells of the immune system is to recognize pathogens and destroy them, but the immune system weakens with age as well as with repeated stresses and infections
80
Define hayflick limit
The number of times a human cell is capable of dividing into two new cells
81
Define demographic shift
A shift in the proportions of the populations of various ages
82
Define ageism
A prejudice whereby people are categorized and judged solely on the basis of their chronological age
83
Define centenarian
A person who lives to or beyond the age of 100 years
84
Define elderspeak
A condescending way of speaking to older adults that resembles baby talk, with simple and short sentences, exaggerated emphasis, repetition, and a slower rate and a higher pitch than used in normal speech
85
Why is ageism accepted? What are some results of ageism?
It's in our culture, evident in tv, employment, retirement communities
Often seems complimentary
Results: self doubt, anxiety, morbidity, and even mortality
86
Define primary aging
The universal and irreversible physical changes that occur in all living creatures as they grow
87
Define secondary aging
The specific physical illnesses or conditions that become more common with aging but are caused by health habits, genes, and other influences that vary from person to person
88
Define compression of morbidity
A shortening of the time a person spends ill or infirm, accomplished by postponing illness
89
Define dementia
Irreversible loss of intellectual functioning caused by organic brain damage or disease or disease. Done this becomes more common with age, but it is abnormal and pathological even in the very old
90
Define delirium
A temporary loss of memory, often accompanied by hallucinations, terror, grandiosity, and irrational behavior
91
What is senile dementia/senile psychosis?
Dementia that occurs after age 60
92
What is presenile dementia?
Dementia that occurs before age 60
93
Define Alzheimer's disease (AD)
The most common cause of dementia, characterized by gradual deterioration of memory and personality and marked by the formation of plaques of beta-amyloid protein and tangles of tau in the brain
Destroys the ability of neurons to communicate with one another, eventually stopping brain functioning
Partly genetic
94
Define vascular dementia
A form of dementia characterized by sporadic, and progressive, loss of intellectual functioning caused by repeated infarcts, or temporary obstructions of blood vessels, which prevent sufficient blood from reaching the brain
(Aka multi-infarct dementia)
95
Define frontal lobe dementia
Deterioration of the amygdala and frontal lobes that may be the cause of 15% of all dementias (aka frontotemporal lobar degeneration)
(Deteriorates parts of the brain that regulate emotion, causes personality changes)
96
Define Parkinson's disease
A chronic, progressive disease that is characterized by muscle tremor and rigidity and sometimes dementia; caused by reduced dopamine production in the brain
97
Define Lewy body dementia
A form of dementia characterized by an increase in Lewy body cells in the brain. Symptoms include visual hallucinations, momentary loss of attention, falling, and fainting
98
Define mini-mental state examination (MMSE)
A test that is used to measure cognitive ability, especially in late adulthood
99
Define polypharmacy
Refers to a situation in which elderly people are prescribed several medications. The various side effects and interactions of those medications can result in dementia symptoms
100
What's maslows hierarchy of needs
Self actualization- the final stage, characterized by aesthetic, creative, philosophical, and spiritual understanding
Self Esteem-confidence, respect of others
Love/belonging-friendship, family, intimacy
Safety-security of body, employment
Physiological-food, water, sex, sleep
101
Define life review
An examination of ones own role in the history of human life, engaged in by many elderly people
102
Most objective research finds that wisdom does not necessarily ______ with age
Increase
103
One summary of wisdom describes wisdom as
"Expert knowledge system dealing with the conduct and understanding of life"
Several factors:
- ability to put aside ones personal needs (self-actualization)
- self-reflective honesty (integrity)
- perspective on past lives (life review)
104
Why do the elderly have a head start on wisdom
If they have dedicated their lives to the "understanding of life" are willing and able to learn from their experiences
105
Ina study of extraordinarily creative people, almost none of them felt that their ability, goals, or quality of work had been much impaired by ______
Age
106
Expressing ones creativity and aesthetic sense is said to aid in ?
social skills
Resilience
Brain health
107
What factors could possible lengthen life?
Diet- people are mostly fresh vegetables and herbs, with little meat or fat. (Better to be a little hungry than too full)
Work- even the very old did work, household tasks, and childcare
Social interactions- (family and community) the elderly were well integrated into families of several generations and interacted frequently with friends and neighbors
Exercise- (and relaxation) most took a walk every morning and evening, napped midday, and socialized in the evening
108
Define gerontology
The scientific study of age, the process of aging, and the particular problems of old people
109
Define geriatrics
The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people
110
The shape of the worlds aging population historically was a demographic pyramid (like a wedding cake) widest at the base, and each higher level was narrower than the one beneath it, for three reasons-none currently true:
1) more children were born than the replacement rate of one per adult, so each new generation had more people than the previous one
2) many babies died, which made the bottom bar much wider than later ones
3) serious illness was usually fatal, reducing size of each older group
111
What can cause deviation from the wedding cake pattern of the worlds aging population?
Unusual events
| Ex: Great Depression, World War II
112
Right now who outnumbers who, children or elderly?
Children
113
Define dependency ratio
a calculation of the number of self-sufficient, productive adults compared with the number of dependents (children and the elderly) in a given population
114
(Hearing) By age 90 the average man is almost _____, we are about ____ the women
Deaf, half
115
What affects the use or nonuse of technological possibilities by society and elders to avoid bifocals, hearing aids, squinting and mishearing, until blindness or deafness is imminent
Ageism
116
As people grow older the brain becomes less efficient because?
(Growth is slower)
Reduces production of neurotransmitters, neural fluid decreases, myelination things, cerebral blood circulates more slowly
Deterioration of cognition
Areas of the Brain shrink with age
117
What are powerful influence on brain health and predict intelligence in old age
Exercise
Nutrition
Normal blood pressure
118
Brain shrinking interferes with
Multitasking
119
A curious finding from PET and FMRI scans is that, compared with younger adults older adults
Use more parts of their brains, including both hemispheres, to solve problems
120
Why do older individuals take longer to perceive and process sensations, and this reduces working memory because
Some items fade before they can be evaluated
121
Define control processes
The part of the information-processing system that regulates the analysis and flow of information.
Memory and retrieval strategies, selective attention, and rules or strategies for problem solving are all useful control processes
122
What do control processes depend on
The prefrontal cortex (shrinks w age)
123
Define self theories
Theories of late adulthood that emphasize the core self, or the search to maintain one's integrity and identity.
Remain themselves
124
Define integrity vs despair
The final stage of Erik Erikson's developmental sequence, in which older adults seek to integrate their unique experiences with their vision of community
125
Define compulsive hoarding
The urge to accumulate and hold onto familiar objects in possession sometimes to the point of their becoming health and or safety hazards. This impulse tends to increase with age.
126
Define positivity effect
The tendency for elderly people to perceive, prefer, and remember positive images and experiences more than negative ones
127
Define stratification theories
Theories that emphasize that social forces, particularly those related to a person's social stratum or social category, limit individual choices and affect a person's ability to function in late adulthood because past stratification continues to limit life in various ways
128
Define disengagement theory
The view that aging makes a person's social sphere increasingly narrow, resulting in role relinquishment, withdrawal, and passivity
129
Define activity theory
The view that elderly people want and need to remain active in social spheres-with relatives, friends, and community groups-and become withdrawn only unwillingly, as a result of ageism
130
What are stratification a that may be particularly harmful in late adulthood?
Gender
Ethnicity
Economic strata
All place people on particular paths life-long
131
U.S legislators outlawed mandatory retirement except in
Special occupations
| Ex: jet pilot
132
When older workers in the U.S were no longer required to quit at 65 the average age of retirement
Decreased
133
Retirement is as likely to improve health as it is to precipitate a
Decline
134
What are the benefits of volunteering
Generativity
Social connections- which can lead to more volunteering
Less depression
Good for our wellbeing to help others
Reduces the odds of death (maybe because volunteers typically have more education, which correlates with a longer life)
135
Why don't some elders volunteer?
1) social culture-ageism may discourage meaningful volunteering. Many volunteering opportunities are geared toward the young
2) organizations-institutions lack recruitment, training, and implementation strategies for attracting older volunteers
3) the elderly themselves-older people are often afraid to leave their familiar patterns
4) the science-definitions used in research, surveys of volunteering ignore daily caregiving and informal helping
136
Define age in place
Remaining in the same home and community in later life, adjusting but not leaving when health fades
137
Define universal design
Designing physical space and common tools that are suitable for people of all ages and all levels of ability
138
Define naturally occurring retirement community (NORC)
A neighborhood or apartment complex whose participation is mostly retired people who moved to the location as younger adults and never left
139
Older adults attend fewer religious services than do middle-aged but faith _____ with age
Increases
140
Define AARP
A U.S organization of people 50 and older that advocates for the elderly. It was originally called the American association of retired persons, but now only the initials AARP are used, since members need not be retired
141
What are political opinions of elderly reflect on
Nationals trends and their own personal history more than their chronological age
Do not vote necessarily vote their own economic interests
142
Who is more likely to be informed about current events and to vote younger adults or elderly
Elderly
143
Why are long term partnerships beneficial
Married people tend to have longer, healthier, and happier lives than unmarried ones do
144
Define filial responsibility
The obligation of adult children to care for their aging parents
145
Relationships between parents and adult children are affected by what factors
Assistance arises both from need and from the ability to provide
Frequency of contact is related to geographical proximity, not affection
Love is influence by the interaction remembered from childhood
Sons feel stronger obligation; daughters feel stronger affection
146
What influences the nature of the grandparent-grandchild relationship
Personality
Background
And past family interactions
147
In developed nations grandparents fill one of four roles
Remote grandparents- (distant grandparent) are emotionally distant from their grandchildren. They are esteemed elders who are honored, respected, and obeyed, expecting to get help whenever they need it
Companionate grandparents- (fun-loving grandparent) entertains and spoil their grandchildren-especially in ways, or for reasons, that parents would not
Involved grandparent- are active in the day to day lives of their grandchildren. They live near them and see them daily
Surrogate parents- raise their grandchildren, usually because the parents are unable or unwilling to do so
148
What role do most grandparents fulfill
Companionate grandparents
149
Why is friendship essential in old age
Successful aging
Not be socially isolated
Quality not quantity of friendship of friendship is crucial
150
Define frail elderly
People older than 65, and often older than 85, who are physically infirm, very ill, or cognitively disabled
151
Define activities of daily life (ADLs)
Typically identified as five tasks of self-care that are important to independent living: eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, and transferring from a bed to a chair. The inability to perform any of these tasks is a sign of fraility.
152
Define instrumental activities of daily life (IADLs)
Actions that are important to independent living and that require some intellectual competence and forethought. The ability to perform these tasks may be even more critical to self-sufficiency than ADL ability
Inability to preform IADLs makes people frail, even if they can perform all five ADLs
153
What are some examples of instrumental activities of daily life
Managing medical care
Food preparation
Transportation
Communication
Manning household
Managing ones finances
154
Who typically the caregiver for the frail elderly
Most likely their spouse
If no partner then usually siblings or adult daughters
Less often sons and daughter-in-laws or adult grandchildren
155
Why are home health aides or nursing homes used
When an elderly person requires extensive daily care
156
Family caregiving in the United States often results in many problems such as
- if one adult child is the primary caregiver, other siblings feel both relief and jealousy. The caregiver wants sibling help, but the siblings resent being told what to do
- care receivers and caregivers disagree about schedules, menus, doctor visits, and so on. Resentments on both sides disrupt mutual affection and appreciation
- public agencies rarely provide services unless a crisis arises
157
Medical professionals and social workers are alert to the possibility of elder abuse and are suspicious of an elder is
Unexpectedly quiet
Losing weight
Injured
158
Abuse is likely if
The caregiver suffers from emotional problems or substance abuse
159
He training bf workload of the staff (in a nursing home) is ______ but most front line workers have little training, low pay, and many patients-and almost half of them leave each year
Crucial
160
Define assisted living
A living arrangement for elderly people that combines privacy and independence with medical supervision
Typically provides a private room, allows pets, furnishing, meals provided, special bus trips/activities, medical assistance available
