Adult Developmental and Aging Exam 1

Key Concepts in Aging

• Chronological Age – Number of years a person has lived.

• Biological Age – Functional status of the body compared to peers.

• Psychological Age – Cognitive ability, adaptability, and emotional regulation.

• Social Age – How well an individual meets societal expectations for their age.

• Functional Age – Assessed by daily activities and societal roles.

• Subjective Age – The age a person feels rather than their actual age.

• Young-old (65-74), Old-old (75-84), Oldest-old (85+) – Categorization of older adults based on functional ability rather than just years lived.

Theories of Aging

• Biological Theories: Focus on genetics and physiological decline.

  • Time Clock Theory – Genetic blueprint determines lifespan via telomere shortening.

  • Immune Theory – Aging occurs due to a decline in immune system efficiency.

  • Wear and Tear Theory – The body deteriorates over time with repeated use.

  • Error Theory – Cellular malfunctions accumulate, leading to aging.

  • Free Radical Theory – Unstable molecules damage cells, accelerating aging.

• Psychosocial Theories: Examine emotional, social, and personality changes.

  • Disengagement Theory – Older adults naturally withdraw from society.

  • Activity Theory – Staying engaged leads to better aging outcomes.

  • Continuity Theory – Individuals maintain habits and personality traits as they age.

• Developmental Theories: Consider aging as a lifelong process.

  • Selective Optimization with Compensation – Older adults adjust to aging by focusing on strengths, optimizing key skills, and compensating for declines.

  • Ecological Model of Aging – Interaction between individual competence and environmental pressures affects aging outcomes.

Research Methods in Aging

• Cross-Sectional Studies – Compare different age groups at one point in time (risk: cohort effects).

• Longitudinal Studies – Follow the same individuals over time (risk: attrition).

• Sequential Studies – Combine cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches to mitigate weaknesses.

• Experimental Research – Establishes cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating variables.

• Correlational Studies – Identify relationships but cannot prove causation.

Demographics of Aging

• The "Graying" of the Population – Due to increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates.

• Gender Differences – More older women than men (125:100 ratio).

• Living Arrangements –

  • 33% of older women live alone,

  • 50% live with a spouse,

  • 17% live in other arrangements.

• Education & Aging – Older adults today have more education than previous generations.

Ageism

• Definition – Prejudice or discrimination against older adults.

• Common Stereotypes – Older adults are frail, forgetful, or resistant to change.

• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy – Negative beliefs can impact cognitive and physical health.

• Combatting Ageism – Use person-first language ("older adults" instead of "elderly").

Cognitive Aging & Attention

• Reaction Time Decline – More pronounced in complex tasks than simple ones.

• Types of Attention:

  • Sustained Attention (Vigilance) – Monitoring for changes in a stable environment (remains relatively intact).

  • Divided Attention – Multitasking ability declines with age.

  • Selective Attention – Difficulty ignoring distractions increases with age.

• Theories of Cognitive Aging:

  • Processing Speed Theory – Slower cognitive processing with age.

  • Inhibitory Deficit Hypothesis – Older adults struggle to ignore irrelevant information.

  • Frontal Lobe Hypothesis – Age-related declines in executive functioning.

Memory & Aging

• Types of Memory:

  • Working Memory – Declines with age (temporary storage and manipulation of info).

  • Episodic Memory – Declines with age (memory for personal experiences).

  • Semantic Memory – Remains stable (general knowledge and vocabulary).

  • Procedural Memory – Remains stable (skills and habits, e.g., riding a bike).

  • Prospective Memory – Declines with age (remembering future tasks).

Hearing & Aging

• Presbycusis – Age-related hearing loss, mainly affecting high-frequency sounds.

• Phonemic Regression – Hearing a word but struggling to understand it.

• Compensatory Strategies – Use of hearing aids, reading lips, and environmental modifications.

The Scaffolding Theory of Aging & Cognition (STAC)

• Concept – The brain builds alternative neural pathways to compensate for aging-related declines.

• Supports for Scaffolding – Physical exercise, mental stimulation, and lifelong learning.

Maximizing Longevity

• Lifestyle Factors:

  • Abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol.

  • Engaging in regular physical activity.

  • Maintaining a balanced diet (low processed foods, high in nutrients).

  • Staying socially active and mentally engaged.

  • Managing stress effectively.

Common Causes of Death in Older Adults (2023 CDC)

1. Heart Disease

2. Cancer

3. Accidents

4. COVID-19

5. Stroke

Aging & Everyday Functioning

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Basic self-care tasks (e.g., dressing, eating).

• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): More complex tasks (e.g., managing money, cooking).

Communication with Older Adults

• Elderspeak:

  • Simplified grammar, exaggerated tone, slower speech.

  • Can be patronizing and reduce self-esteem.

  • Alternative: Use respectful, normal-paced communication.

Major Aging Frameworks

• Life-Span Developmental Perspective (Baltes, 1987):

  • Aging is a lifelong process.

  • Embedded in historical and social contexts.

  • Includes both gains and losses.

  • Plasticity (ability to change and adapt).

  • Multidimensional and multidirectional.

• Developmental DOPE Model:

  • Describe – Observe patterns in aging.

  • Optimize – Improve well-being.

  • Predict – Anticipate changes.

  • Explain – Understand causes of aging patterns.

Final Study Tips

1. Memorize Key Terms & Definitions – Many questions will test your understanding of concepts like functional age, scaffolding, and presbycusis.

2. Understand Theories – Be able to differentiate between biological, psychosocial, and developmental aging theories.

3. Know Research Methods – Expect questions comparing cross-sectional, longitudinal, and sequential studies.

4. Apply Concepts to Real Life – Think about how aging theories explain everyday situations.

5. Practice Multiple-Choice & Short Answer Questions – This will help with recall and application.