Topic 1: Basic Concepts of Adult Development and Aging Flashcards
What are the key features of the Life-Course Perspective Theory?
- timing of individual life events in relation to broader historical context
- synchronization of personal transitions w/ societal and familial expectations
What is gerontology?
scientific study of aging and special problems of the aged
Adulthood can be characterized by?
relative independence from parents + acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions
What are the 4 main lifespan perspectives?
causation, multidirectional, plasticity, historical context
What does the historical context in lifespan perspective say?
development occurs in a particular context and culture
Plasticity can be trained/improved regardless of age. T/F?
T
What does “multiple causation” in lifespan perspective state?
development results from a variety of factors
What are the four key principles of aging?
- continuity principle
- survivor principle
- individuality principle
- normal aging is different from disease
What is the continuity principle?
people usually maintain the same behaviors, activities, etc. and build on top of that through experience
What is the survivor principle?
states that people who live to old age manage to overcome threats that could’ve lead to death at an earlier age
What is the individuality principle?
As people age, they become more different from each other (i.e. unique) because of experiences
Does growing older mean growing sicker?
No. Senescence does NOT equal senility.
What are the 4 kinds of aging?
- primary aging
- secondary aging
- tertiary aging
- optimal aging
What is primary aging?
normal aging
What is secondary aging?
impaired aging
What is tertiary aging?
rapid decline shortly before death
What is optimal aging?
changes that IMPROVE an individual’s functioning
What age qualifies as middle adulthood?
40 - 65 years old
What age qualifies as young adulthood?
20 - 40 years old
What are the components of functional age?
biological, psychological, and social age
What is biological age?
age of body systems
What is psychological age?
functional level of psychological abilities used to adapt to changing environmental demands
What is social age?
related to social roles occupied by an individual
What are the 7 main environmental context and influences of adult development?
- family
- socioeconomic status + family functioning
- affluence
- poverty
- neighborhoods, towns, city
- cultural context
- religion
What are the 3 key developmental influences?
- normative age-graded
- normative history-graded
- non-normative influences
This type of developmental influence can be used to judge where we are on our social clock.
normative age-graded
Marriage, Retiring, and Having Kids are all examples of what kind of developmental influence?
normative age-graded influence
World Wars, economic downturns, and the COVID-19 pandemic are all examples of what kind of developmental influence?
normative history-graded influence
Events that occur with no regular predictability are called what kind of developmental influence?
non-normative influence
What are the 5 main types of theoretical perspectives on aging and adult development?
- Erikson’s Theory
- Life Course Perspective Theory
- Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
- Competence Environmental Press Theory
- Selective Compensation w/ Optimization Model
What does the Competence Environmental Press Theory say about development?
Development is a balance between competence & environmental press
What does Piaget’s Cognitive Theory say about development?
Development is a balance between assimilation and accommodation
Individuals are able to:
1. Select certain abilities/skills deemed
essential for functioning
2. Optimize performance by focusing on these areas.
3. Compensate for declines by developing strategies or workarounds.
What theory supports this?
Selective Compensation with Optimization Model
What are the 8 theories on biological aging?
- Heredity Theory
- Cellular Aging Theory
- Wear and Tear Theory
- Metabolic Waste Theory
- Auto-immunity Theory
- Homeostatic Imbalance Theory
- Mutation Theory
- Error Theory
This is also known as “Clinker Theory” in which postulates that the accumulation of deleterious substances and collagen is what causes aging.
Metabolic Waste Theory
What does the autoimmunity theory state in relation to aging?
body’s own immune system rejects its own tissue (i.e. produce autoimmune antibodies)
The body gradually becomes unable to maintain vital physiologic balances.
What theory supports this?
Homeostatic Imbalance Theory
What is the error theory?
States that the cumulative effects if a variety of mistakes (like mutations) lead to aging
