Middle Adulthood Growth & Development – Flashcards

accommodate to near objects

a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see objects up close, difficulties in dim light, reduced color discrimination, glaucoma risk

Old hearing

deteriorate and processing of messages in the auditory cortex also decline

hearing loss @ high frequencies occurs, gradually expanding to all frequencies (happens more rapidly and earlier in men)

less firmly attached to the dermis

sag

age spots increase

80%

drop slightly, but stability is more common than dramatic change

cancer and cardiovascular disease

double from young to middle adulthood

tenfold

genetic program is disrupted

a complex interaction of heredity, biological aging, and environment.

high blood pressure, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis

death within a year in 10 - 20% of the women that get them!

Good when the situation can be changed

Control distress when situation cannot be changed

middle adulthood

sedentary

Control, Commitment, Challenge; Use active, problem-centered coping strategies

Men/Women

Accumulated knowledge Experience Good Judgment Mastery of social conventions

capacity of working memory; basic info processing skills, attention span, letter/number sequencing (begins to decline in twenties)

culture

1. Neural Network View 2. Information Loss View

Neurons in the brain die, breaking neural network connections Brain forms new connections that go around broken synapses, but they are less efficient

Whole system slows down to inspect, interpret information

multitasking, focusing, switching attention, inhibition *not getting distracted

Less use of memory strategies

practical problem solving & Expertise

late 30s and early 40s

Generativity v. Stagnation

Reaching out to others in ways that give and guide the next generation Commitment that extends beyond self Typically realized through child rearing

Place own comfort and security above challenge & sacrifice

Men's

Midlife transition, entry life structure, Age 50 transition, culminating life structure

Control, Challenge, Commitment

Stagnation

1. Young-old 2. Destruction-Creation 3. Masculinity-Femininity 4. Engagement-Separateness

Keepers of meaning; "passing the torch"; carry responsibility for the functioning of society

Major turmoil in midadulthood (a midlife crisis)

slow and steady change; no crisis (only 1/4 of ppl in Vallilant's study said they experienced a midlife crisis)

What one hopes or fears of becoming

other's expectations, more focused on their own standards

Self-acceptance, autonomy, and environmental mastery

Good Health, Exercise, Sense of Control, Personal Life Investment, Positive Social Relationship, Good Marriage, Mastery of Multiple Roles

Neuroticism, Extroversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness

Agreeableness, Conscientiousness

Neuroticism

Extroversion, Openness to Experience

Women

Stability - ppl high or low in a characteristic remain so in later ages; early experiences have a lifelong impact Plasticity - change is possible based on experience

Warm parent relationship; social support outside the family; community resources; community resources

Psychosocial

Social Learning Theory

Cognitive Development Theory

Developmental Cognition Neuroscience

Sociocultural

Ecological

Egocentrism, Conservation, Classification, Logical/reasoning, Abstract, Make-believe play, Dual Repressentation

changes in the brain & development of cognition and behavior

psychology, biology, neuroscience, medicine

Scaffolding, Make-believe play, private speech

moral development

Pre conventional Conventional Post Convention

punishment/obedience

Good boy/good girl; maintaining social order

Social Contract; Universal Ethical Principal

1) Early adult transition (17-22) - leave adolescence, make preliminary choices for adult life 2) Entering the adult world (22-28) - make initial choices in love, occupation, friendship, values, lifestyle 3) Age 30 transition (28-33) - changes occur in life structure, either a moderate change or, more often, a severe and stressful crisis 4) Settling down (33-40) - establish a niche in society, progress on a timetable, in both family and career accomplishments; are expected to think and behave like a parent so they are facing more demanding roles and expectations . 5) Mid-life transition (40-45) - life structure comes into question, usually a time of crisis in the meaning, direction, and value of each person's life. neglected parts of the self (talents, desires, aspirations) seek expression. Men are seen more as parents than as "brothers" to other men who are somewhat younger than them and this message comes as an irritation at first. Also at this time, men becoming increasingly aware of death and they are reminded of how short life really is. They become involved in trying to leave a legacy and this usually forms the core of the second half of his life. 6) Entering middle adulthood (45-50) - choices must be made, a new life structure formed. person must commit to new tasks. * Some sources also stated that there was a late adulthood stage during which time a man spent time reflecting on past achievements and regrets, and making peace with one's self and others (including God).