DevPsych - Ch 13

What are the three stages of adult development?

Early/young adulthood (30-40 years), Middle adulthood (40-60 years), Later adulthood (60+).

What is senescence?

The gradual physical decline that occurs over time in adulthood.

What are common physical changes in middle adulthood?

Decreased collagen, graying/thinning hair, "middle-age spread," muscle weakening.

What are the most commonly abused drugs in adulthood?

Tobacco and alcohol.

What percentage of U.S. adults are obese?

Approximately 33%.

What are three benefits of regular physical activity in adulthood?

Reduces blood pressure, strengthens heart/lungs, decreases risk of depression, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

What cognitive changes are common with aging?

Decreased brain size, reduced multitasking ability, slower reaction time and perceptual speed.

What factors accelerate brain loss in adulthood?

Drug abuse, excessive stress, poor circulation, viruses.

When does creativity typically peak?

In the late 30s to 40s.

What are common sources of social support in adulthood?

Friends, family, siblings.

What is the trend in marriage age in the U.S.?

People are marrying later; 15% marry before 25, 85% by 40.

Describe marital happiness over the years.

Highest in the first 6 months, dips during early marriage and when children reach puberty, rises when children leave home, and remains high in later years (30–50).

What percentage of U.S. marriages end in divorce?

Nearly 50%.

What is the difference between primary and secondary aging?

Primary aging is biological and inevitable; secondary aging is due to lifestyle and environmental factors.

What are three physiological changes in late adulthood?

Less efficient heart, decreased lung function, loss of muscle mass and bone density.

What is a common risk for older adults related to mobility?

Falls (1 in 3 older adults fall annually).

What are two psychosocial changes in late adulthood?

Role changes (retirement, children leaving), increased sense of community and connectedness.

Why is grandparenting often a positive experience?

Allows passing on family history, minimal responsibilities, sharing wisdom, and reduced fear of death.

How do social networks change in late adulthood?

They become smaller but are higher in happiness and lower in conflict.

What are the top causes of death according to CDC (2014)?

Heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, influenza/pneumonia, kidney disease, suicide.

What are three predictable changes hours/days before death?

Increased sleep, disorientation, sensory decline, irregular breathing, cool hands, warm trunk.

What are the three dying trajectories?

Sudden decline after normal functioning; steady decline with advance warning; decline with intermittent sharp drops.

Define bereavement.

The process of coping with the sense of loss following a death.

Define mourning.

Culturally patterned ritualistic expressions of bereavement (e.g., clothing, rituals).

Define grief.

The affective/emotional response to bereavement (e.g., hurt, anger, guilt, confusion).