Late adulthood theories

Question 1

6 traits of growing older with grace

Answer 1

Vaillant:

1. caring about others, remaining open to new ideas
2. cheerful tolerance of indignities of old age
3. maintaining hope
4. humor and capacity for play
5. sustenance from past accomplishments and remaining curious and learning from next generation
6. maintaining contact and intimacy with old friends

Question 2

productive aging theory

Answer 2

a new generation of older adults is more physically active, mobile, healthy and economically secure

Question 3

theories of social gerontology

Answer 3

1. disengagement theory
2. activity theory
3. continuity theory
4. social construction theory
5. feminist theory
6. social exchange theory
7. live course/live course capital
8. age stratification perspective
9. productive aging theory

Question 4

social construction theory

Answer 4

self-concepts arise through interactions with the environment

Question 5

programmed aging theories

Answer 5

aging follows a biological timetable

Question 6

damage or error theories of aging

Answer 6

environmental assaults, cumulative damage to vaiour biological systems

Question 7

developmental bio-cultural co-constructivism

Answer 7

brain and cultural are in a continuous interdependent, co productive transaction and reciprocal determination

Question 8

dementia

Answer 8

brain disease memory and cognitive abilities deteriorate

Question 9

ego integrity versus ego despair

Answer 9

Erikson: the ability o make peace with one’s one and only life cycle and find unity with the world

Question 10

guardianship

Answer 10

vaillant: taking on the task of passing on the traditions of the past to the next generation, concern for the culture as a whole

Question 11

fluid intelligence

Answer 11

capacity for abstract reasoning, ability to respond quickly, to memorize quickly, to compute quickly and draw rapid inferences

Question 12

crystallized intelligence

Answer 12

accumulated learning, ability to reflect and recognize versus recall and remember

Question 13

incidental memory

Answer 13

declines with old age, but intentional does not

Question 14

life review

Answer 14

Butler: developmental task of late adulthood, self reflective review of one’s life is not a sign of losing short term memory, but a process of evaluating and making sense of one’s life

Question 15

power of attorney

Answer 15

legal arrangement in which a person appoint another to manage their financial and legal affairs