Midlife

Question 1

Does personality change over time?

Answer 1

Temperamental dispositions stabilize by mid-20s.

Question 2

What are the “Big Five” core temperamental predispositions?

Answer 2

• Neuroticism
• Extraversion (openness to experience)
• openness to experience
• conscientiousness
• agreeableness (positive traits actually tend to strengthen w/ age)

Question 3

Generativity (Erikson’s Psychosocial Stage)

Answer 3

generativity- a heightened focus on hurting the next generation and enriching the lives of others. All about change, growth and learning. These tasks are evoked by our social roles.

Question 4

What happens if generativity is not achieved?

Answer 4

Stagnation occurs; having no sense of purpose in life.

Question 5

In Dan Adams (2001) cross-sectional survey to young, middle-aged, and elderly, what was taken away from the study?

Answer 5

Few age differences in generative attitudes and activities, but striking age difference in priorities.

• Young ppl= focused on identity issues “what will I do with my life?”
• Older ppl= “I want to be a positive role model”

Question 6

Why do we become more generative?

Answer 6

Social Roles (life’s experiences)

Question 7

What does “The Commitment Script” consist of? (3)

Answer 7

1) Feeling Special
2) Empathy
3) Overcoming challenges/Redemption stories, Maturation/Optimistic about humanity

Question 8

Do we become happier and more confident with age?

Answer 8

Yes! Lots to look forward to!

-Women report more self-confidence, happiness (both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies)

Question 9

Why do we get happier and more confident with age?

Answer 9

• Social Roles (less daily stresses, focus on close relationships)
• Maturation & Life Experiences (learn how to regulate emotions, maximizing the “now”)

Question 10

When do we hit our intellectual peak?

Answer 10

Intelligence peaks at age 20, then starts to decline. (according to WAIS scale)

Question 11

According to the Seattle Longitudinal Study, when do we hit our intellectual peak?

Answer 11

Overall intelligence peaks in late 40s or early 50s, Crystallized intelligence peaks in 50s.

Question 12

What is Crystallized intelligence?

Answer 12

All of the accumulation of that person’s knowledge (wisdom).

Question 13

What is Fluid intelligence?

Answer 13

Speed and processing, how fast you can learn novel tasks. (this is what peaks in the 20s)

Question 14

When are you most creative based off crystallized knowledge? (age)

Answer 14

60s- “see the forest from the trees”

Question 15

How can you make midlife your intellectual peak?

Answer 15

• Meta cognitive tools: selective optimization with compensation
• Post Formal Thought: developing a wisdom (building off Piaget)

Question 16

What staves off cognitive decline?

Answer 16

• Healthy living!

- Mental Exercise!

Question 17

What does cardiovascular disease do to the brain?

Answer 17

Cardiovascular diseases limit blood flow to the brain resulting in atrophy and neural loss.

Question 18

“Terminal Drop”

Answer 18

Drastically changes in crystallized intelligence and can predict whether the disease is terminal or not.