psychology of aging exam 1

Gerontology

study of the aging process

geriatrics

branch of medicine dealing with older individuals and their medical problems

geropsychology

the field of psychology concerned with the mental health of elderly people

ageism

Discrimination/stereotype based on age

life span perspective

posits that development and aging are continuous processes occurring from birth to death

biopsychosocial framework

aging is a dynamic interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors

cohort

a group of people from a given time period

normative age-graded influences

biological and environmental influences that are similar for individuals in a particular age group

normative history-graded influences

events most people in a culture experience at the same time

non normative age-graded influences

random/ rare events important for one person, but not experienced by most people

primary aging

normal, disease-free development during adulthood

secondary aging

decline related to disease, lifestyle, and other environmental factors

tertiary aging

rapid decline/loss occurring shortly before death

chronological age

Age as measured in years from date of birth

perceived age

age you think of yourself as; how old you feel

biological age

A person's age in terms of biological health; functional of vital organ systems

psychological age

functional level of the psychological capabilities

sociocultural age

specific set of roles individuals adopt in relation to other members of the society and culture to which they belong

nature vs nurture

name for a controversy in which it is debated whether genetics or environment is responsible for driving behavior

stability vs change

do people stay the same or change over time?

Continuity vs. Discontinuity

Does development smoothly progress or shift abruptly?

Universal vs. context-specific

whether there is just one general path to development, or is it specific to context/culture

rate of living theory

suggests that organisms have a fixed, genetically determined amount of metabolic energy to spend in a lifetimethe; greater an organisms rate of metabolism, the shorter its life span

cellular theory

aging results from cumulative, progressive damage to cells and DNA

hayflick limit

The number of times a human cell is capable of dividing into two new cells. The limit for most human cells is approximately 40-60 divisions

telomeres

DNA at the tips of chromosomes; shorten with cell division and eventually die

cross linking

proteins like collagen interact and produce linked molecules that lead to stiffer body tissues; aging leads to more

free radicals

aging caused by unstable molecules; can cause age spots and more serious problems.

antioxidants

prevent formation of free radicals, postpones age related diseases, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.

programmed cell death

the theory that aging is programmed into our genetic code; cells are programmed to self-destruct

osteoporosis

A condition in which the body's bones become weak/more porous and break easily. Can cause spine curvature.

osteoarthritis

wearing down of cartilage at joints.

rheumatoid arthritis

membrane protecting the joints becomes inflamed

Anti-aging industry

estimated worth of $261.9 billion. Top payer is anti wrinkle

botox

most common minimally invasive procedure. $42.5B annually (US), $300-$400 per session

presbyopia

difficulty seeing close objects

presbycusis

reduced sensitivity to high pitched tones; most common age related problem

menopause

ending of menstrual cycle

andropause

gradual decline in testosterone levels

psychological implications

socializing, reading, driving, shopping becomes hard. Glasses/hearing aids help fix this

why are we seeing increases in life expectancy?

due to the eliminations of diseases and fewer women dying during childbirth

lifespan

the length of time a person lives

average longevity

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

maximum longevity

the oldest age to which any individual of a species lives

active life expectancy

the number of years a person can expect to live without a disability

dependent life expectancy

the age to which one can expect to live with assistance

what is the current average longevity?

79 years

Genetic/environmental factors

coming from a family with long lived people increases your chances of having a long life; genes related to higher threshold for disease and slower rates of disease progression.

Blue Zones

refers to areas where humans live past the age of 100, longevity hot spots.

Why do we need sleep?

for overall good health, restorative process for brain & body, cleaning up "natural trash", memory & consolidation

why Is sleep deprivation bad?

can lead to health complications, impacts your mood, weight, immune system, gives a dementia risk.

how does sleep change with age?

two phase pattern ( sleeping during the day ) to multiphase pattern ( daytime napping and shorter sleep at night ) *similar to young children