1. Age 40-65 Intellectual Development
Middle Adulthood
Age 40-65
Intellectual Development

2. Signs of Cognitive Change
Fluid intelligence- ability to reason abstractly, peaks during young adulthood and often declines in middle adulthood.
Crystallized intelligence increases, which includes judgment and accumulated knowledge.
They use their experiences to apply what they know to everyday life.

3. Middle Aged Brain
Middle aged brains have strategies for solving problems. They can come up with short cuts based on their experiences.
People in young adulthood are better at remembering episodic memories, such as where you left your car keys.
People in middle adulthood are better at semantic memories, such as knowledge of how to change a flat tire because experience gives them time and practice.

4. Language Changes Middle adults develop a more broad vocabulary.
Since many may be experts in their field, some have a specific content language referred to as jargon.
Although most are not in school, reading can keep their vocabulary sharp.
Crossword puzzles, word searches, and trivia games help as well.

5. Moral Development
Middle adults care about the community, environment, and society as a whole (last stage in Kohlberg’s theory).
They are able to respect others and be compassionate.
Most become more secure in their decisions and beliefs.
Spirituality becomes more important for many.

6. Baby Boomers ( )
Becoming an adult during a specific time period can affect ones life.
Baby boomers were born during a large increase in births after World War II.
Many in this generation are expected to live well into their 90’s.
In infancy and childhood, emphasis was placed on parenting, nutrition, and education.
This generation began turning 65 in 2011.

7. Generation X ( )
Huge social changes happened including rights for minorities and women.
Sharp increase in divorce rate caused a lot of single parent families.
Personal computer was first introduced when they were teens.
Saw an introduction of a fax machine and Internet.

8. Generation Y (1980-1995) Tech/web savvy Family oriented Ambitious
Team players
Communicators (Facebook, Twitter)
Like to be loved

9. Generation Z ( )
Loss of innocence due to things experienced (school shootings)
More realistic than optimistic
Try to avoid debt
Not fearful of the future, prepared for uncertain times
Constant connection to the world around them