Adulthood and Old Age Maturing and Aging

Cognitive Moment What types of changes do you expect to occur as you get older? On your “Stages of Lifespan Development” come up with one word that describes each age range. What stereotypes are held about older generations?

21 UP While watching this video write down behavioral changes that have occurred over this longitudinal study as related to the way they think and the way they act. What other significant differences do you notice?

Objective Discuss the physical changes that occur between adulthood and old age.

Physical Changes A time when opposite affects lives Theory 1: break down of cells Normal wear and tear Theory 2: preset biological clocks Physical peak at ages 18-30 Middle Age = hair turns gray, thins out, wrinkles Old Age = shorter, more wrinkles

Physical Changes Health problems associated with aging, disease Three of the most common causes of death in late adulthood (50-60) Heart disease, cancer and cirrhosis Menopause – decrease in sex hormones

Physical Changes Most difficult to deal with is the change in roles Marriage and Divorce – handle conflicts, sharing happy moments Sexual Behavior – no change in activity

28 UP While watching this video write down behavioral changes that have occurred over this longitudinal study as related to the way they think and the way they act. What other significant differences do you notice?

Assignment: Marriage – What’s It Good For (Article) Answer all nine questions that relate to this article.

Review How do you change physically as you age?

Cognitive/Social/ Personality Development Adulthood and Old Age Cognitive/Social/ Personality Development

Video APB Video Series #18 – Maturing and Aging

Objective Describe the social and emotional changes that occur during adulthood.

Cognitive Changes Intelligence does not change, continuing to learn Comprehending new materials, thinking flexibly Cognitive peaks of creativity and productivity in 40s

Social and Personal Development Daniel Levinson’s Theory of Male Development 22-28: seen as a novice 28-30: commitments reexamined BOOM Phase: fully independent Midlife: questioning the past and the future

Social and Personal Development Generativity: using wisdom to guide the future Stagnation: lost desire to recapture the past Middle Adulthood: stability, tolerates others Female Development – experiences freedom, fewer demands Empty Nest syndrome – last child leaving

“All the Worlds a Stage” After reading this poem, “All the Worlds a Stage” examine the stages that are mentioned in the poem and compare them to Levinson’s theory of development as well as other theories that we have discussed in development. Freud’s Psychosexual Development Theory, Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory, Erik Erikson’s Personality Development Theory, Lawrence Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory Explain on the back which part of the poem goes with the respective theory and why it does.

Assignment Interview an adult who is more than 50 years old. Ask this person to describe himself or herself physically, socially, intellectually, and emotionally at the ages of 20, 30, 40 and 50. Create questions that would provide this information. Ask which age was his or her favorite and why.

Adulthood and Old Age Late Adulthood

Objectives Identify changes that occur in health and life situations during old age. Summarize how people physically, mentally and socially adjust to old age.

Attitudes Towards Aging Gerontology = study of aging Most ideas based on decremental model of aging Progressive physical/mental decline is inevitable Prejudice about elderly shows ignorance, ageism Assume that they have poor health Misconceptions: inflexible, senile Sexual activity does not change beyond adulthood Best predictor of future behavior is past behavior Societal factors discourage sexual expression

Changes in Health & Life Situation Over 65 good health, depends on youth Most prevalent chronic diseases (elderly) Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis Major causes of death among elderly Heart disease, cancer and strokes Transitions for younger people are positive Transitions for older people are negative

Adulthood and Old Age Dying and Death

Changes in Mental Functioning Intellectual ability does not change much John Horn proposes two types of intelligences Crystallized intelligence: using knowledge and learning in appropriate situations Fluid intelligence: solve abstract problems Diseases faced by the elderly Senile dementia: memory loss, forgetfulness, decline in ability to think Alzheimer’s disease: most common form, destroys ability to think; no cure

Adjusting to Death Elisabeth Kubler-Ross theory of reaction to death Denial: most common reaction “Can’t be happening to me” Anger: “Why me”, alienation Bargaining: change of attitude, bargain with fate Depression: aware of the losses Acception: struggle is over Hospices People are often afraid to talk about death Most people live until 75 Movement to restore dignity Designed to make surroundings pleasant

Assignment Read over “Living in the Moment” and create a “Bucket List” of things you hope to accomplish in your life. Next, summarize the ways that death is perceived in other cultures (back).

The Last Lecture - Video Watch the video as Randy Pausch presents his last lecture to a large audience of his colleagues, students, friends and family. Reflect on the dreams you have in your life and what you hope to accomplish.

Young at Heart While viewing Young at Heart see how this group of elderly men and women work together to deal with the loss of friends.

Review Activity: Timeline You will need to include the theories presented in class including Erik Erikson, Daniel Levinson, John Horn, Jean Piaget, Sigmund Freud, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Since these theories have points that occur throughout development, correctly label on the timeline where part of their theory fits. Ex: Levinson’s BOOM Phase occurs between the ages of 30-40. Place all theories discussed in the proper order.

Essay Questions Do you think development is the result of heredity, experience and learning or both? Why? Do you think an individual with an androgynous gender role is healthier than one with a traditional gender role? Explain your answer. Do you think that Kubler-Ross’ stages of dying apply to other types of losses (such as sports or a romantic breakup)? Explain.