Lifespan Development - Exam 3 Material

• prebyopia (far sightedness)

• myopia (near sightedness)

• sensitivity to light

• loss of visual acuity

• hearing loss: presbycusis

• decreased sensitivity to taste and smell

what are the sensory changes found in middle adulthood?

• strength and coordination

• endurance

• manual dexterity

• simple reaction time

• choice reaction time

what are other physical changes in middle adulthood?

simple reaction time

responding with a single, pre-planned action to a single, known stimulus

choice reaction time

responding to multiple different stimuli, where each signal requires a distinct, specific response

breast cancer

• 1 in 8 US women develop it

• chance increases with age

• 5-10% thought to be hereditary

• hot flashes

• mood swings

• sleep disturbances

• changes in libido

what are physical challenges of menopause?

• hypertension

• heart disease

• diabetes

• osteoporosis

what are some health issues in middle adulthood?

heart disease

what is the leading cause of death in middle adulthood?

fluid intelligence

the ability to solve simple problems on the fly

• exp: completing analogies such as “finger is to hand as toes is to ___ (foot)”

crystallized intelligence

the ability to remember and use information acquired over a lifetime

• finding a synonym for a word or solving a multiple step math problem

• measured by vocabulary, general information, and responses to social situations and issues

encapsulation (expertise)

focuses on deepening expertise in a specific area

• student who has played piano for many years, by middel adulthood they can play difficult songs easily

• have practiced and learned a lot

integrative thought

emphasizes the ability to combine different ideas and insights

• combine music, art, and storytelling in a single performance

• mixing ideas from different things to create something unique

• phased retirement - reducing work hours or days and phasing out retirement over a number of years

• bridge employment - switch to another company or line of work

• many more people continue to work for both financial and emotional reasons

what are some ways that people retire?

factors that influence happiness

• social support

• self-acceptance

• being comfortable with people and conscientious

• purpose in life

• quality of work and leisure

• feeling grateful or thankful

generativity vs stagnation

what erickson stage takes place during middle adulthood?

generativity vs stagnation

finding meaning through contributing to society and leaving a legacy for future generations

• exp: raising children, mentoring, etc

timing of events model

development is more affected by when events occur in a person’s life

midlife crisis

changes in personality and lifestyle such as these during the early to middle forties

• realize that they will not be able to fulfill the dreams of their youth or that fulfillment of their dreams has not brought the satisfaction they expected

• become more aware of their own mortality

identify assimilation

when a person incorporates new experiences or information into their existing identity without changing it much

• exp: if someone sees themselves as a hard worker, they might take on more projects at work to reinforce that view

identity accommodation

when a person changes their identity to fit new experiences or information

• exp: if someone who always thought of themselves as a carefree person faces significant responsibilities, they might adjust their self-image to include being responsible

marriage impactors

• empty nest syndrome

• career stress

• health issues

• changes in intimacy

• growing apart

• unresolved conflicts

• desire for independence

• affairs or betrayal

filial maturity

the ability of an adult child to see their parents as complex individuals, establish a reciprocal relationship with them as peers or even caregivers

sibling relationships

takes the form of an hourglass, meaning most contact is at the two ends of life, in childhood and late adulthood

caring for aging parents can either bring siblings closer or keep them apart

• teenage pregnancy

• substance abuse

• illness

• divorce

• death

• can be challenging physically, emotionally, and financially

why are some grandparents raising their grandchildren?