Dev Psych Chapter 14

demographers

people who study population trends

population pyramid

graphic technique for illustrating population trends

average longevity

age at which half of the people born in a particular year will have died

maximum longevity

oldest age to which any person lives

active life expectancy

number of years that a person is free from debilitating chronic disease and impairment

dependent life expectancy

number of years a person lives with a debilitating chronic disease in which the person depends on others for care

telomeres

tips of chromosomes that play a major role in aging by adjusting the cell’s response to stress and growth stimulation based on cell divisions and DNA damage

telomerase

enzyme needed in DNA replication to fully reproduce the telomeres when cells divide

oxidative stress

an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body

free radicals

highly reactive chemicals produced randomly in normal metabolism

antioxidants

molecules that stabilize free radicals to become less reactive

neurofibrillary tangles

spiral-shaped masses formed when fibers that compose the axon become twisted together

beta amyloid

a protein that is the basis for neuritic plaques and is thought to be a basis for dementia

neurotransmitters

chemicals released by neurons in order for them to communicate with each other

structural neuroimaging

neuroimaging technique such as CT and MRI scans that provides highly detailed images of anatomical features in the brain

functional neuroimaging

Neuroimaging technique that provides an indication of brain activity but not high anatomical detail.

atherosclerosis

A disease caused by calcification and blockages in the arteries.

strokes, or cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs)

Interruption of the blood flow in the brain due to blockage or a hemorrhage in a cerebral artery.

transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)

Brief interruption of blood flow to the brain; often an early warning sign of stroke.

vascular dementia

Disease caused by numerous small cerebral vascular accidents

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Most common form of incapacitating respiratory disease among older adults.

presbyopia

Difficulty seeing close objects clearly.

cataracts

Opaque spots on the lens that limit the amount of light transmitted.

glaucoma

Disease in which the fluid in the eye does not drain properly, causing very high internal pressure that can damage the eye and cause loss of vision.

age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Progressive and irreversible destruction of receptors from any of a number of causes

diabetic retinopathy

Eye disease that is a by-product of diabetes causing damage to the arteries in the retina that can lead to other problems.

presbycusis

Reduced sensitivity to high-frequency tones.

diabetes mellitus

Disease that occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin

type 1 diabetes

Type of diabetes that usually develops earlier in life and requires the use of insulin; sometimes called insulin-dependent diabetes.

type 2 diabetes

Type of diabetes that typically develops in adulthood and is often effectively managed through diet.

circadian rhythms

Sleep-wake cycle.

metabolism

The rate at which energy is needed and used in the body.

working memory

processes and structures involved in holding information in mind and simultaneously using it for other functions

implicit memory

Unconscious remembering of information learned at some earlier time.

explicit memory

Deliberate and conscious remembering of information that is learned and remembered at a specific time.

episodic memory

General class of memory having to do with the conscious recollection of information from a specific time or event.

semantic memory

General class of memory concerning the remembering of meanings of words or concepts not tied to a specific time or event.

autobiographical memory

memory for events that occur during one’s life

external memory aids

Memory aids that rely on environmental resources, such as notebooks and calendars.

internal memory aids

Memory aids that rely on mental processes, such as imagery.

dysphoria

Feeling sad or down.

internal belief systems

View of a cause of depression as what one tells oneself about why certain things are happening.

behavior therapy

Type of therapy based on the notion that people with depression experience too few rewards or reinforcements from their environment.

cognitive therapy

Type of therapy based on the idea that maladaptive beliefs or cognitions about oneself are responsible for depression.

anxiety disorders

Problems such as feelings of severe anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

dementia

Family of diseases involving serious impairment of behavioral and cognitive functioning and some form of permanent damage to the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease

Disease marked by gradual declines in memory, attention, and judgment; confusion as to time and place; difficulties in communicating;

decline in self-care skills; inappropriate behavior; and personality changes.

incontinence

Loss of bladder or bowel control.

Parkinson’s disease

Brain disease known primarily for its characteristic motor symptoms: very slow walking, difficulty getting into and out of chairs, and a slow hand tremor, but it can develop into a form of dementia.

chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

Form of dementia caused by repeated head trauma such as concussions.