Lecture 9: Development in Adulthood

Question 1

What is Primary Aging?

Answer 1

Age-related physical changes that have a biological basis and are universally shared and inevitable

Question 2

What is Secondary Aging?

Answer 2

Age-related changes that are due to social and environmental influence, poor health habits, or disease

Question 3

What is Osteoporosis?

Answer 3

The major consequence of this loss of bone density is a significantly increased risk of fractures, beginning as early as age 50 for women, and much later for men

Question 4

What is Presbyopia?

Answer 4

Normal loss of visual acuity with aging, especially the ability to focus the eyes on near objects

Question 5

What is Presbycusis?

Answer 5

Normal loss of hearing with aging, especially of high-frequency or very low-frequency tones

Question 6

What is Selective Optimization with Compensation?

Answer 6

The process of balancing the gains and losses associated with aging

Question 7

What is Crystallized Intelligence?

Answer 7

Depends heavily on education and experience

E.g vocabulary, ability to read, technical skills for the job

Question 8

What is Fluid Intelligence?

Answer 8

Involves more basic abilities that depend on the efficient functioning of the central nervous system

E.g abstract reasoning

Question 9

What is Intimacy vs. Isolation?

Answer 9

Erikson’s early adulthood stage, in which an individual must find a life partner or supportive friends in order to avoid isolation

Question 10

What is Intimacy?

Answer 10

The capacity to engage in a supportive, affectionate relationship without losing one’s own sense of self

Question 11

What is Generativity?

Answer 11

A sense that one is making a valuable contribution to society by bringing up children or mentoring younger people (teaching, mentoring, leading in civic, religious, or charitable organizations)

Question 12

What is Climacteric?

Answer 12

The years of middle or late adulthood in both men and women during which reproductive capacity declines or is lost

Question 13

What is Ego Integrity versus Despair Stage?

Answer 13

The last of Erikson’s psychosocial stages, in which older adults must achieve a sense of satisfaction with their lives

Question 14

What is Ego Integrity?

Answer 14

The feeling that one’s life has been worthwhile, the process also involves coming to terms with death and accepting its imminence

Question 15

What is Reminiscence?

Answer 15

Reflecting on past experiences; is a positive emotional experience for older adults that is often seen as a way of communicating their experiences to younger children

Question 16

What is Life Review?

Answer 16

An evaluative process in which elders make judgments about past behavior

Question 17

What is Activity Theory?

Answer 17

The idea that it is normal and healthy for older adults to try to remain as active as possible for as long as possible

Question 18

What is Disengagement Theory?

Answer 18

The theory that is normal and healthy for older adults to scale down their social lives and to separate themselves from others to a certain degree