1. Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood
Chapter 15
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2. Chapter Outline The nature of middle adulthood Physical development
Cognitive development
Careers, work, and leisure
Religion, spirituality, and meaning in life
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3. The Nature of Middle Adulthood
Changing midlife
As adults become older, their age identity is younger than their chronological age
An increasing percentage of the population is made up of middle-aged and older adults
“Rectangularization” of the age distribution
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4. The Nature of Middle Adulthood
Defining middle adulthood
Middle adulthood: 40–45 years of age to about 60–65 years of age
Declining physical skills and increasing responsibility
Awareness of the young-old polarity
Transmitting something meaningful to the next generation
Reaching and maintaining career satisfaction
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5. The Nature of Middle Adulthood
Defining middle adulthood
Gains and losses and biological and sociocultural factors balance each other
Late midlife (55 to 65) is likely to be characterized by:
Death of a parent
Last child leaving the parental home
Becoming a grandparent
Preparation for and actual retirement
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6. Physical Development Physical changes Visible signs
Wrinkling and sagging of skin
Appearance of aging spots
Hair becomes thinner and grayer
Nails become thicker and more brittle
Yellowing of teeth
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7. Physical Development Physical changes Height and weight
Individuals lose height and gain weight
Being overweight is a critical health problem in middle adulthood
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8. Physical Development Physical changes Strength, joints, and bones
Sarcopenia - Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength
Cushions for bone movement become less efficient
Leading to joint stiffness and more difficulty in movement
Progressive bone loss
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9. Physical Development Physical changes Vision and hearing
Accommodation of the eye - Ability to focus and maintain an image on the retina
Experiences sharp declines between 40–59 years
Difficulty viewing close objects
Reduced blood supply decreases visual field
Hearing can start to decline by the age of 40
High-pitched sounds are typically lost first
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10. Physical Development Physical changes Cardiovascular system
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease
Metabolic syndrome: Hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance
Exercise, weight control, and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can often help
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11. Physical Development Physical changes Lungs Sleep
Lung tissue becomes less elastic at about age 55, decreasing the lung’s capacity
Sleep
Wakeful periods become more frequent in the 40’s
Sleep-disordered breathing and restless legs syndrome
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12. Physical Development Health, disease, stress, and control
Chronic disorders: Slow onset and a long duration
Rare in early adulthood but increase in middle age
Stress and disease
The immune system and stress
Stress and the cardiovascular system
Culture and health
Control
Peaks in midlife then declines in late adulthood
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13. Physical Development Mortality rates
Chronic diseases are the main cause of death during middle adulthood
Heart disease
Cancer
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14. Physical Development Sexuality
Climacteric: Midlife transition in which fertility declines
Menopause: Cessation of a woman’s menstrual periods
During the late forties or early fifties
Perimenopause - Transitional period from normal menstrual periods to no menstrual periods at all
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15. Physical Development Sexuality Menopause
Hot flashes, nausea, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
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16. Physical Development Sexuality Hormonal changes in middle-aged men
Decline in sexual hormone level and activity
Erectile dysfunction: Inability to achieve and maintain an erection
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17. Physical Development Sexual attitudes and behavior
Sexual activity occurs less frequently than in early adulthood
Middle-aged men are more interested in sex than middle-aged women
Living with a spouse or partner makes all the difference in terms of engaging in sexual activity
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18. Figure 15.2 - The Sex in America Survey: Frequency of Sex at Different Points in Adult Development
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20. Cognitive Development
Intelligence
Crystallized intelligence: Accumulated information and verbal skills
Continues to increase in middle adulthood
Fluid intelligence: Ability to reason abstractly
May begin to decline in middle adulthood
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21. Cognitive Development
Information processing
Speed of information processing
Reaction-time task
Causes for the decline in speed
Levels of analysis
Cognitive
Neuroanatomical
Neurochemical
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22. Cognitive Development
Memory
Verbal memory declines during middle adulthood
Linked to changes in working memory and ineffective memory strategies
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23. Cognitive Development
Information processing
Expertise
Rely on accumulated experience
Process information automatically and analyze it more efficiently
Have better strategies and shortcuts to solving problems
Are more creative and flexible in solving problems
Practical problem solving
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24. Careers, Work, and Leisure
Work in midlife
The role of work is central during middle age
In the U.S., about 80% of people aged years of age are employed
A time of evaluation, assessment, and reflection about work
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25. Careers, Work, and Leisure
Career challenges and changes
Challenges
Globalization of work
Rapid developments in information technologies
Downsizing organizations
Early retirement
Pensions and health care
Changes
Self-motivated
Consequence of losing one’s job
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26. Careers, Work, and Leisure
Pleasant times after work
When individuals are free to pursue activities and interests of their own choosing
Changes may produce expanded opportunities for leisure
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27. Religion, Spirituality, and Meaning in Life
Religion, spirituality, and adult lives
Religion: Organized set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols:
Increases an individual’s connection to a sacred or transcendent other
Religiousness: Degree to which an individual is affiliated with an organized religion
Participates in prescribed rituals and practices
Feels a sense of connection with its beliefs
Involved in a community of believers
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28. Religion, Spirituality, and Meaning in Life
Religion, spirituality, and adult lives
Spirituality: Experiencing something beyond oneself in a transcendent manner
Living in a way that benefits others and society
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29. Figure 15.6 - Level of Spirituality in Four Adult Age Periods
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30. Religion and Meaning in Life
Religion, spirituality and health
Religion is positively linked to health
Religious commitment helps to:
Moderate blood pressure and hypertension
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31. Religion and Meaning in Life
Emphasized each person’s uniqueness and the finiteness of life
According to Frankl, the three most distinct human qualities are:
Spirituality
Freedom
Responsibility
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32. Religion and Meaning in Life
According to Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs the four main needs are:
Need for purpose
Need for values
Need for a sense of efficacy
Need for self-worth
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