(3) Healthy Ageing

How is ageing typically categorised?

Ageing is often divided into young-old (60–75) and old-old (80+), reflecting differences in health and social engagement.

What is the maximum human lifespan?

The theoretical maximum human lifespan is around 125 years.

What is life expectancy?

Life expectancy is the average age a person is expected to live, around 73 globally and 80–85 in the UK.

What are programme theories of ageing?

They propose that ageing follows a genetically determined biological timetable.

• we can compare longevity across species to understand biological programming

What are error/damage theories of ageing?

They propose that ageing results from accumulated environmental damage and genetic mutations.

• Factors like smoking can accelerate damage and influence ageing processes.

Who proposed the lifespan approach to development?

Erikson proposed that development occurs throughout life in stages, doesnt just occur in childhood

What is Erikson’s final psychosocial stage?

Ego integrity vs despair, focusing on reflection on life achievements and failures.

• if you weigh the crisis higher than achievments it leads to bitterness and resentment

What psychological challenge is associated with retirement?

Adjusting to maintain autonomy and adapt to lifestyle changes.

How does processing speed change with age?

It generally slows from around age 20 onward.

What is perceptual speed?

The speed of recognising and interpreting stimuli.

What is decision speed?

The time taken to respond or act on information.

Why does reaction time increase with age?

Partly due to increased caution rather than just slower mental processing.

How does episodic memory change with age?

It declines, especially for event-specific details.

How does semantic memory change with age?

It is relatively preserved if it continues to be used.

What is associative memory and how does it change with age?

It is the ability to link information (e.g. where and when), and it declines with age.

How does ageing affect false memory?

Older adults are more likely to form false memories.

How does autobiographical memory change with age?

Event details decline, but general personal knowledge is retained.

What are schemas?

Mental frameworks or expectations about how things usually occur.

How do schemas affect memory in older adults?

They support memory when information is consistent but can cause errors when inconsistent.

Why are schemas stronger in older adults?

Due to greater accumulated experience.

How can schemas interfere with memory?

They can lead to confusion when information does not match expectations.

What is adaptive memory?

A system that prioritises useful patterns and general knowledge for survival.

Why is detailed memory less prioritised in ageing?

General patterns are more useful than specific details for guiding behaviour.

What are common everyday memory errors in ageing?

Tip-of-the-tongue states, rereading, and forgetting locations or conversations.

How stable is personality in adulthood?

Personality is generally stable, with small changes over time.

How does personality change with ageing?

Increased agreeableness and sensitivity, and slightly decreased extraversion.

What is the relationship between personality and ageing?

It is bidirectional—personality shapes life events and changes with experiences.

How does emotional experience change in older adults?

They become more emotionally stable and focus more on positive information.

What is socioemotional selectivity theory?

It suggests that awareness of limited time leads older adults to prioritise meaningful relationships.

How do social preferences change with age?

Older adults prefer fewer, more meaningful relationships.

What type of support do older adults prefer?

Emotional support rather than informational support.

What is the positivity bias in ageing?

Older adults attend to and remember more positive than negative information.

How does emotional wellbeing change with age?

It generally increases, with higher satisfaction and happiness.

How does emotional regulation change with age?

Older adults regulate emotions better and experience less distress.

How do goals change in later life?

They shift towards meaning, reflection, and personal narratives.

What is cognitive reserve?

The brain's ability to resist decline, supported by activity, education, and social engagement.

How does education affect ageing?

Higher educational attainment is linked to slower biological ageing.

When is cognitive reserve most effective?

When built from early in life.

What is the effect of cognitive training in ageing?

It improves specific tasks but has limited transfer to other abilities.

How does exercise benefit the ageing brain?

It increases blood flow and reduces risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Why is social support important for ageing?

It helps maintain cognitive function and overall wellbeing.