PSY 1100 Term 4 Final: Compare and Contrast

Primary Aging - Secondary Aging

Primary Aging: The natural, biological changes that occur as a result of growing older, such as wrinkles or slower reaction time

Secondary Aging: Changes in physical and mental functioning caused by lifestyle, disease, or environmental factors

Difference: Primary aging is unavoidable and happens to everyone, while secondary aging can often be prevented or reduced

Synaptic Pruning - Myelination

Synaptic Pruning: The process of eliminating unused neural connections to make the brain more efficient

Myelination: The development of a fatty sheath around nerve fibers that speeds up communication between neurons

Similarity: Both processes improve brain efficiency and support cognitive development

Foreclosure - Moratorium

Foreclosure: An identity status in which a person commits to roles or beliefs without exploring alternatives

Moratorium: An identity status in which a person is actively exploring different options but has not yet committed

Difference: Foreclosure involves commitment without exploration, while moratorium involves exploration without commitment

Permissive Parenting - Uninvolved Parenting

Permissive Parenting: A parenting style with high warmth but few rules or expectations

Uninvolved Parenting: A parenting style with low warmth and low control, with little involvement in the child’s life

Difference: Permissive parents are caring but lack structure, while uninvolved parents lack both care and guidance

Fluid Intelligence - Crystallized Intelligence

Fluid Intelligence: The ability to think quickly, reason, and solve new problems without prior knowledge

Crystallized Intelligence: The ability to use accumulated knowledge, skills, and experience

Difference: Fluid intelligence is strongest in youth and declines with age, while crystallized intelligence increases over time