Middle Adulthood

Question 1

Physical decline in middle adulthood

Answer 1

Signs of physical decline in some areas
Age related decline in athletic ability is inevitable
Endurance performance capacity declines from 35
Decline in strength is attributed to decreases in number of size of muscle fibres
Reaction time also begins to decay
Physical inactivity is related to increased risk of premature death
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Question 2

Neurocognitive development (middle adulthood)

Answer 2

Continued neuroplasticity
London taxi study (pg 18)
Life experiences produce neuroplastic changes

Question 3

Gender similarities hypothesis

Answer 3

‘Males and females are alike on most - but not all - psychological variables’

Question 4

Generativity vs stagnation

Answer 4

Erikson’s 7th stage of psychosocial development referred to the dialectical conflict between generativity and stagnation

Question 5

Generativity

Answer 5

Primarily the concern in establishing and guiding the next generation

Question 6

Stagnation

Answer 6

Not well defined. Referred to as the polar opposite of generativity
Self-interest/self-absorption
No meaningful contribution to society

Question 7

Cognitive development (middle adulthood)

Answer 7

Gains in cognitive capacity during adulthood are difficult to assess
Gains are specific to the individual
Problems faced everyday (eg work, leisure, home) promote cognitive development
Cognitive advancement results in specialised expertise

Question 8

U-shaped curve of marriage satisfaction

Answer 8

Enchantment/honeymoon, disenchantment, re-enchantment

Reasons:
Self-esteem
Sexuality
Children (empty nesters)
Self-disclosure
Leisure pursuits
Equity
Androgyny

Question 9

Arranged marriage

Answer 9

Most common/socially acceptable

Marriage contract

Question 10

Elope (marriage)

Answer 10

Escape disapproval by marrying in secret away from the community

Question 11

Capture (marriage)

Answer 11

Future husband captures woman for marriage

Question 12

Cultural differences in marital satisfaction

Answer 12

Arranged vs marrying for love
Personality compatibility more important for marriage satisfaction and longevity than manner of marriage
3 types of marriage in traditional aboriginal communities (arranged, elope, capture)

Question 13

Empty-nest phase (middle adulthood)

Answer 13

Occurring earlier due to smaller families
Delayed due to higher education persists and difficulties associated with employment
Allows for dramatic increase in marital satisfaction
Reduced stress and time pressures increase partner interactions

Question 14

Home-career balance: advantages and disadvantages for parents

Answer 14

Mature identity formation through employment

Role-overload: no time or energy to fully commit to work, parenting and relationship

Question 15

Home-career balance: advantages and disadvantages of external childcare

Answer 15

Increased social interaction resulting in a more stimulating environment and greater independence
Increased risk of sickness and injury

Question 16

Donal Super theory of career development (4 phases)

Answer 16

1. Exploratory phase
2. Establishment phase (22-44)
3. Maintenance phase (age 45-60)
4. Decline/disengagement phase

Question 17

Robert Havighurst career development theory

Answer 17

1. Becoming a productive person (age 25-39)
2. Maintaining a productive society (age 40-69)
3. Contemplating a productive and responsible life (age 70+)
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Question 18

Daniel Levinson career development theory

Answer 18

Page 22

Question 19

Douglas T. Hall career development theory

Answer 19

Protean careers (page 22)

Question 20

Mid-career crisis

Answer 20

Consistent drop in self-esteem occurs in men at 40
Accompanied by intense self-doubt and questioning of values
Period of self-doubt is resolved by recognising goals or changing careers (may result in reduced performance due to lowering of expectations/drive)

Question 21

The second career

Answer 21

Resolution of mid-career crisis may involve a career change

Question 22

Disadvantages of career change

Answer 22

Financial insecurity

Periods of transition are stressful

Question 23

Advantages of career change

Answer 23

Express a different aspect of personality
Learning new skills develops cognitive capacity
New career provides new and stimulating environment
Re-alignment of career goals with personal goals
Remedy organisational disillusionment

Question 24

Leisure (middle adulthood)

Answer 24

Resembles play but difficult to define

Often viewed as a category of time: ‘free or unobligated time that does not involve work’

Question 25

Relationship between work and leisure: compensation theory

Answer 25

Selecting recreational activities to compensate for what is lacking at work

Question 26

Relationship between work and leisure: spill-over theory

Answer 26

Selecting recreational activities to satisfy the same skills and interests as paid work

Question 27

Relationship between work and leisure: segmentation theory

Answer 27

No consistent relationship between work and leisure activities because they are seen as two distinct segments

Question 28

What is middle adulthood?

Answer 28

Age 35-50
A period of change. Psychological functioning is not static. 
Physical capacity
Cognitive capacity
Neurocognitive development
Career progression 
Marriage
Parenting