Chapter 15 Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Middle Adulthood Ages 40 to 65 Continuation of early adulthood changes: time orientation physical cognitive Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © wong sze yuen/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Vision Changes in Middle Adulthood Presbyopia: “old eyes”: inability to adjust focus to varying distances Pupil shrinks, lens yellows, vitreous changes: poor vision in dim light decline in color discrimination Glaucoma risk Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Wilson Araujo/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hearing Changes in Middle Adulthood Presbycusis: “old hearing”: initially, decline in sensitivity to high frequencies gender, cultural differences: men show earlier, more rapid decline hearing aids, modifications to listening environment, communication can help Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Kzenon/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Skin Changes in Middle Adulthood Wrinkles: forehead: starting in thirties crow’s feet: forties Sagging: face, arms, legs Age spots: after age 50 Faster with sun exposure, and for women Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Muscle–Fat Makeup in Middle Adulthood Middle-age spread common: fat gain in torso: men: upper abdomen, back women: waist, upper arms Very gradual muscle declines Can be avoided: low-fat diet exercise, especially resistance training Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Anti-Aging Effects of Calorie Restriction Restricted diet benefits diverse nonprimate species: longer life reduced incidence of disease In primates and humans, more years of healthy life, not longer life Calorie-restriction mimetics may yield same health benefits as calorie restriction Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Skeletal Changes in Middle Adulthood Bones broaden but become more porous: loss in bone density women at greater risk Loss in bone strength: disks collapse, height shrinks bones fracture more easily, heal more slowly Healthy lifestyle can slow bone loss Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Climacteric and Menopause Gradual end of fertility: menopause follows 10-year climacteric age range: late thirties to late fifties earlier in non-childbearing women, smokers Drop in estrogen: monthly cycles shorten, eventually stop can cause difficulties: complaints about sexual functioning decreased skin elasticity, loss of bone mass Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Not linked to menopause, other causes should be investigated Menopausal Symptoms Linked to menopause hot flashes/night sweats sexual difficulties Not linked to menopause, other causes should be investigated irritability sleep difficulties depression Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Menopause Symptoms Around the World Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Figure 15.1 Percentage of menopausal women in different regions of the world reporting hot flashes Figure 15.1 (Adapted from Obermeyer, 2000; Shea, 2006.) Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hormone Therapy for Menopause Benefits reduces hot flashes, vaginal dryness some protection against bone loss Risks heart attack, stroke, blood clots cancer gallbladder disease Alzheimer’s and other dementias Alternatives gabapentin, antidepressants, black cohosh for hot flashes medications to prevent bone loss Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reactions to Menopause Individual differences: importance of childbearing capacity, physical attractiveness highly educated women usually have more positive attitudes Cultural differences: ethnic differences in the United States: African-American and Mexican-American women hold especially favorable views SES, physical and psychological health linked to reactions Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reproductive Changes in Men Decrease in sperm volume, motility starting in twenties semen after age 40 Gradual decline in testosterone: sexual activity stimulates production Erection difficulties: frequent problems may be linked to anxiety, disease, injury, loss of sexual interest Viagra and other drugs offer temporary relief Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Health in Middle Age 85% rate as excellent or good, a decline from early adulthood More chronic diseases than in early adulthood Research on women increasing Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sexuality in Middle Adulthood Slight drop in frequency among married couples: stability of sexual activity is typical best predictor is marital happiness Intensity of response declines: slower arousal due to climacteric Sex still important, enjoyable to most Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Leading Causes of Death in Midlife, United States Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Figure 15.2 Leading causes of death among people age 45 to 64 in the United States Figure 15.2 (Adapted from U.S. Census Bureau, 2012.) Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Cancer in Middle Adulthood One-third of U.S. midlife deaths: more men than women higher in low SES Results from mutations: germline or somatic a complex interaction of heredity and environment contributes Often curable; survival brings emotional challenges Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © GWImages/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Cardiovascular Disease Responsible for 25% of middle-aged deaths “Silent killers”: high blood pressure, cholesterol atherosclerosis Symptoms: heart attack (blockage) arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) angina pectoris (chest pain) Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Osteoporosis Severe bone loss, fragile bones Causes: normal aging: with age, bones more porous, lose bone mass menopause estrogen drop speeds loss heredity, body build lifestyle—diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use Women develop osteoporosis earlier; men often overlooked Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis Diet: vitamin D calcium Weight-bearing exercise Strength training Bone-strengthening medications Early prevention Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Maridav/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Hostility and Health Type A behavior pattern: angry, impatient, competitive prone to heart disease, other health problems Expressed hostility: angry outbursts, rudeness, criticism, contempt predicts various cardiovascular problems Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Managing Stress Reevaluate the situation. Focus on events you can control. View life as fluid. Consider alternatives. Set reasonable goals. Exercise regularly. Use relaxation techniques. Constructively reduce anger. Seek social support. Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © littleny/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Coping Styles Problem-Centered Coping Identify and appraise problems Choose and implement potential solutions Emotion-Centered Coping Internal, private Control distress when the situation can’t be changed Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Exercise in Midlife Physical and psychological benefits: stress management reduces disease risk Barriers to beginning in middle age: time, energy, health, convenience, lack of facilities Self-efficacy promotes exercise and is augmented by it Activities that fit personal characteristics Interventions to reach low-SES adults Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Hardiness Control Regard most experiences as controllable Commitment Find interest and meaning in daily activities Challenge View as normal part of life, chance for growth Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Double Standard of Aging Aging men rated more positively, women more negatively Influenced by media, social messages Appears to be declining, with new, positive view of middle age Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © michaeljung/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence Depends on basic information-processing skills: detecting relationships among stimuli speed of analyzing information working memory Crystallized Skills that depend on accumulated knowledge experience good judgment mastery of social conventions Valued by person’s culture Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Longitudinal Trends in Mental Abilities Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Figure 15.3 Longitudinal trends in six mental abilities, from the Seattle Longitudinal Study Figure 15.3 (From K. W. Schaie, 1994, “The Course of Adult Intellectual Development,” American Psychologist, 49, p. 308. Copyright © 1994 by the American Psychological Association. Reprinted with permission of American Psychological Association.) Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Age-Related Slowing of Information Processing Neural Network View Neurons in brain die, breaking neural connections Brain forms new but less efficient connections Information-Loss View Information lost at each step through cognitive system Whole system slows down to inspect, interpret information Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Attention in Middle Adulthood More difficulties in multitasking focusing on relevant information switching attention combining visual information into meaningful patterns inhibition May be due to decline in processing speed Experience, practice, training help adults compensate Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Memory in Middle Adulthood Working memory declines from twenties to sixties: reduced use of memory strategies slower processing, attention difficulties Adults can compensate: self-paced tasks training in strategies Few changes in factual knowledge procedural knowledge metacognitive knowledge Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Becoming a Student in Midlife 39% of U.S. college students are over age 25; 60% of them are women Reasons are diverse: job changes, seeking better income life transitions personal achievement, self-enrichment Concerns: academic abilities: aging and gender stereotypes role overload Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.