Dev. Psych- Middle Adulthood

Age range - transition into late adulthood age range

40-45 60-65

no two people age in the same way or at the same rate

interindividual variability

the unavoidable bit of aging

primary aging

the bit of aging that is up to you

secondary aging

What is the primary cause of wrinkles?

collagen and elastin decline

What is the secondary cause of wrinkles?

exposure to UV rays

loss of muscle mass and strength related to aging

sarcopenia

related to underproduction of tears, more common in women especially after menopause

dry eyes

pupils are less able to contract & expand causing difficulty w/ ____________ and dim lighting

night vision

vision; natural decline in focus

presbyopia

Top two causes of death?

Cancer and heart disease

Signs of heart attack (general)

chest pain, abdomen pain, shortness of breath

Signs of heart attack (women)

non-chest pain symptoms, older than men

cessation of menstruation in women, between 46 and 50

menopause

beginning of menopause when women will experience a brief period of amenorrhea

perimenopause

One cause of menopause

gradual decline in production of estrogen

Signs of decreasing estrogen

night sweats, hot flashes, decreasing bone density

clinical term referring to persistent inability to become sexually aroused or reaching orgasm

sexual dysfunction

ability to learn new ways of solving problems and performing activities quickly and abstractly; uses logic, pattern recognition, and abstract thinking

fluid intelligence

accumulated knowledge of the world we have acquired throughout our lives; facts, skills, info learned from prior experience

crystallized intelligence

The Big 5

openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism

Which of the big 5 increase as we age?

conscientiousness, agreeableness

Which of the big 5 decrease as we age?

extroversion, neuroticism, openness

Erikson’s MA Crisis; caring for and contributing tot he next generation vs rejection of ____________ can result in a life stripped of meaning and purpose

Generativity vs Stagnation

(Midlife crisis) men, 35-45, period of developmental crisis, people feel like they have more to look back on than forward, too small

Danial Levinson’s Seasons of a man’s life

(Midlife crisis) Midlife marked by a sense of general well-being, only 23% of respondents report midlife crisis- usually triggered by major life event

George Valient

(Midlife crisis) both genders experience a midlife crisis, (implication)- abandonment or re-examination of gender roles

Gail Sheehy’s Passages: predictable crises of adult life

(Source of conflict) overly romantic and optimistic idealizations of marriage set people up for disappointment

disillusionment model

(Source of conflict) increasing problems and conflicts can gradually increase to the point where they overwhelm initial positive perceptions

social exchange & behavioral theories

(Source of conflict) an individual’s history (factors like temperament and attachment style) are key in predicting the success of relationships

intrapersonal models

Gottman’s 4 horses of conflict

criticism, defensiveness, contempt, stonewalling

Divorce statistic

40-50% of all marriages end in divorce

historical effects on divorce rates

female autonomy in abusive or unhappy relationships, cultural attitudes shifting