54.1 – Identify the physical changes that occur during middle and late adulthood. Physical Development The peak of physical performance occurs around 20 years of age. After the mid-twenties muscular strength, reaction time, sensory abilities and cardiac output begin to decline. Around age 50, women go through menopause, and men experience decreased levels of hormones and fertility. Physical Changes Later in Life After age 70, hearing, distance perception, and the sense of smell diminish, as do muscle strength, reaction time, and stamina. After age 80, neural processes slow down, especially for complex tasks.

54.1 – Identify the physical changes that occur during middle and late adulthood. Young Adulthood (20s-30s) Physical abilities (strength, reaction time, cardiac output, etc.) peak by the mid-twenties All down hill after that… Just kidding!

54.1 – Identify the physical changes that occur during middle and late adulthood. Middle Adulthood (40s-60s) Physical decline accelerates Attributable to age or activity level? DECLINE IN FERTILITY Perimenopause (average age: 40s) Estrogen levels decreases; uterus gets smaller; hot flashes Menopause (average age: 51) Cessation of menstrual cycle; no more babies… Andropause (in men…) Gradual decline of testosterone, sperm count, sexual functioning, etc. (Men rarely lose all reproductive ability…)

54.1 – Identify the physical changes that occur during middle and late adulthood. Late Adulthood (60s+) Life expectancy…on the rise? Stopping point? Sensory abilities Vision, smell & hearing tend to decline after age 70 Health More susceptible to life-threatening ailments Less susceptible to short-term ailments Brain Neural processing slows; loss of brain cells; atrophy of frontal lobe and areas important to memory

54.1 – Identify the physical changes that occur during middle and late adulthood.

54.1 – Identify the physical changes that occur during middle and late adulthood. Sensory Abilities

54.1 – Identify the physical changes that occur during middle and late adulthood. Neural processing slows; reaction time decreases

54.2 – Assess the impact of aging on memory. Aging and Memory As we age, we remember some things well, including recent past events and events that happened a decade or two back. However, recalling names becomes increasingly difficult. Recognition memory does not decline with age, and material that is meaningful is recalled better than meaningless material.

54.2 – Assess the impact of aging on memory. Cognitive Changes Decreased fluid intelligence ability to think quickly, assess situations, complete tasks quickly, and parallel process information. a) memory that appears to fade is typically related to episodic (event-based) memories, which is consistent with fluid intelligence. b) important to note that staying mentally active appears to slow down the loss of fluid intelligence. Increased crystallized intelligence, general/overall knowledge.

54.2 – Assess the impact of aging on memory. Recall v. recognition Recall declines with age; recognition remains stable Also dependent on the type of information

54.2 – Assess the impact of aging on memory. Intelligence Fluid intelligence Basic reasoning, memory capacity & the speed of information processing Decreases (slowly; age 75; age 85) Crystallized intelligence Accumulated knowledge (vocabulary & analogy tests) Increases (up to old age)

54.2 – Assess the impact of aging on memory.

54.2 – Assess the impact of aging on memory. Cross-Sectional Study: a study in which people of different ages are compared with one another. Longitudinal Study: research in which the same people are restudied and retested over a long period.

54.2 – Assess the impact of aging on memory.

54.3 – Discuss the themes and influences that mark the social journey from early adulthood to death. Adulthoods Commitments -Love and work are defining themes in adult life. -Evolutionary psychologists believe that commitment has survival value. -Parents that stay together are likely to leave a viable future generation. -Happiness stems from working in a job that fits your interests and provides you with a sense of competence and accomplishment. Midlife Transition: people reevaluate what they have done and where they are going.  Midlife Crisis: an understanding that half of life is over and anger at this realization; some try to “reclaim their youth (M. Levinson). Middlescence: a second adolescence (G. Sheehy). Social Clock: the culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.

54.4 – Describe trends in people’s self-confidence and life satisfaction across the life span. Well-Being Across the Life Span Well-being and people’s feelings of satisfaction are stable across the life span. Successful Aging 1) Biological Influences -no genetic propensity for Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other diseases -neural changes that hinder negative thinking -appropriately meeting nutritional needs 2) Psychological Influences -optimistic outlook -physically and mentally active 3) Social-Cultural Influences -support from family and friends -access to meaningful work or activities -positive expectations of the surrounding culture -stable and safe living conditions

54.5 – Describe the range of reactions to the death of a loved one. Death and Dying Reactions to a loved one’s death range widely. People do not go through identical predictable stages. Bereavement, self-help therapy, support of friends, giving support to others, and the passing of time all have healing benefits.

54.5 – Describe the range of reactions to the death of a loved one. According to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a dying person progresses through five stages. Many have praised Kubler-Ross for her insight into the dying process, while others have questioned the five stages. Stage Explanation Example Denial Person does not believe he is dying and Jerry seeks a second and third opinion may seek numerous opinions from about his medical professionals. diagnosis.   Anger Person does not understand why he is dying Jerry become angry at his wife because and may express anger toward others she is to live. Bargaining Person my begin to bargain, saying he will Jerry says that he will be a better father if improve some aspect of his life if he is he is to live. allowed to live. Depression Person may want to be alone, Jerry sits alone at the park each day. realizing that death is approaching. Acceptance Person understands that death is a Jerry realizes that he is dying and that it is a natural process and accepts his fate normal part of life..