HDFS 312 EXAM 1

Major changes in the bones

18-24: Bone mass is still building. 25-39: Peak bone mass reached at 30. 40-64 Bone mass begins to decline gradually for men and more sharply for women, especially after menopause. 65-74: Bone mass continues to decline. Risk for fractures increases, especially for women. 75+: Bone mass continues to decline. Risk for fractures increases sharply, especially for women.

Major changes in gender differences (hormones)

18-24: Hormones are fully functioning; fertility is at optimal level. 25-39: Production of major hormones begins to decline, but not noticeable. 40-64: Hormones continue to decline, fertility declines gradually for men; sharply for women after menopause. 65-74: Hormones continue to decline. 75+: Continued low levels of major hormones.

twin studies

studies that compare similarities of monozygotic twin pairs with dizygotic twin pairs on some behavior or trait of interest; results can give information on the extent of genetic contribution to that behavior or trait.

behavior genetics

study of the contributions genes make to individual behavior

Pruning

the ability to shut down neurons that are not needed in order to "fine-tune" the system and improve functioning of the remaining neurons. - most pruning takes place in infancy, but there is evidence of neuron loss in old age

Neurogenesis

the growth of new neurons - researchers have found that neurogenesis takes place throughout the adult years, primarily in the dentate gyrus, a small area of the hippocampus, which is crucial for forming memories

Race and ethnicity in health issues: Non-Hispanic blacks

- Adults classified as non-Hispanic blacks in the United States have shorter life expectancies than white adults, especially black males. They have the highest rates of death from heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, HIV, and homicide than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States

The climacteric in women

- During middle adulthood, women's menstrual periods become irregular, then further apart, and then stop altogether - menopause (main cause is ovarian failure, leading to a drop in estrogen and complex changes in progesterone, both important hormones in women's reproductive health.)

Gender differences in health issues

- Men have shorter life expectancies than women and higher rates of heart disease, hypertension, death by accident, and overall cancer rates. - Women live longer than men, but when they die, they do so from basically the same diseases that men do; they just develop them later in life. Women have more chronic health conditions than men, including arthritis, asthma, migraine headaches, thyroid disease, gallbladder problems, and urinary and bladder problems, among others

Race and ethnicity in health issues: non-Hispanic white adults

- Non-Hispanic white adults have the longest overall life expectancy of any group in the United States. They have the highest rates of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance abuse disorders, but are more likely to receive treatment

Alzheimer's disease

- a progressive, irreversible deterioration of key areas of the brain involved in various cognitive functions, short term memory is a common symptom - 5th leading cause for death for people over the age of 65

oxidative damage (theories of primary aging)

- based on random damage that takes place at the cellular level - involves the release of free radicals, molecules, or atoms that possess an unpaired electron and are by-products of normal body metabolism as well as a response to diet, sunlight, X-rays, and air pollution

Changes in cardiovascular system

- heart of a young person and old person functions the same unless there is a disease present - When the cardiovascular system is challenged (like during exercising) Then the older heart is slow to respond to the challenge and cannot increase its function as well as a younger heart - the walls of the arteries become thicker and less supple, so they do not adjust to changes in blood flow as well as younger arteries - This loss of elasticity can cause hypertension, or high blood pressure, which is more prevalent in older people than in younger ones

SES differences in health issues

- the health of people in lower SES groups in the United States is notably worse than that of people in higher SES groups - people in lower SES groups use health services less and have less adequate health-related behaviors than those in higher SES groups

The climacteric in men

- the quantity of viable sperm produced begins to decline in a man's 40s (decline is not rapid, men in their 80's can still have children) - The testes shrink gradually, and after about age 60, the volume of seminal fluid begins to decline. - Declining hormone levels in men are also associated with decreases in muscle mass, bone density, sexual desire, and cognitive functions and with increases in body fat and depressive symptoms

What are normative age-graded influences?

Changes associated with age

Phases of menopause

-Menopause is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman's final menstrual period. - Premenopause is the time when a woman is having regular periods, but hormone levels have begun to change. - Perimenopause is the time a woman begins having irregular periods but has had a period in the last 12 months. - Postmenopause is the time after a woman has not had a period for 12 months, and it extends until the end of her life

Changes in vision, hearing, and taste and smell

18-24: Vision is at peak acuity, hearing may start to decline but is not likely 25-39: Beginning of vision and hearing losses, declines in taste and smell, but not generally noticeable 40-64: Near vision loss in 40s; dark adaptation becomes apparent in 60s; cataracts begin in 40s. Slight losses in taste and smell. Hearing loss is more noticeable. 65-74: Vision loss continues. Cataracts common. Loss of taste and smell becomes noticeable, especially sweet and salty tastes. 75+: Visual and hearing losses continue.

When do most adults pass their physical peak?

40

prevention of oxidative damage

A number of vitamins and vitamin-like substances have been identified as antioxidants, substances with properties that protect against oxidative damage. (Vitamins E and C)

When does age become just a number and not a predictor of a stage or behavior?

Adolescence

What is one way to support the respiratory and cardiovascular system?

Aerobic exercise (brisk walking, running, bicycling) - can make the heart stronger, lower blood pressure, tone muscles that help aid breathing

Whitney is excited to finally celebrate her 21st birthday with her friends. They go out to dinner, and she orders a glass of wine. This situation is an example of ______________ age.

Chronological

Sally conducts a survey and finds that as the age of her sample increases, the more likely people are to vote Republican. This is an example of which type of analysis?

Correlational

Which of the following is the best definition for the life-span developmental psychology approach?

Development occurs over the lifetime and is multidimensional, shaped by many causes.

Dr. Paulsen is conducting research to see if people who drink red wine live longer than people who drink other alcoholic beverages. Her research is guided by which theory on aging?

Genetic limits

Stability

Having little or no change for significant periods of time

Race and ethnicity in health issues: Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Americans are, in general, at higher risk for early death than their non-Hispanic white counterparts, but have lower rates of anxiety disorders and mood disorders

age stereotypes

Inaccurately believing that older workers are less motivated, resistant to change, less trusting, and less healthy (research refuted all of these)

Which of the following is an example of a person most likely to receive cosmetic surgery?

Marcus, a 50-year-old man, receives hair transplants.

Caloric restriction (theories of primary aging)

One of the most promising explanations of why we age is that aging is connected with our diets—not so much what we eat, but how many calories we metabolize per day.

Tom is a stay-at-home father to his three girls. He is caring and attentive, known for hosting the best tea parties on the block. This situation is an example of which key concept from the life-span developmental approach?

Plasticity

What is empirical research?

Scientific studies

Genetic limits (theories of primary aging)

The theory of genetic limits centers on the observation that every species has a characteristic maximum life span. Something between 110 and 120 years appears to be the effective maximum life span for humans

Upswing and downturn in weight

The upswing in weight that takes place during young adulthood and middle age can be attributed to our tendency to become more and more sedentary during that time without changing our eating habits to compensate. The downturn in total body weight that takes place in later adulthood is due to loss of bone density and muscle tissue

Ellie notices her first gray hairs, and Jim is looking forward to retirement at age 65. What do these two events have in common?

They are both normative age-graded influences

On a day-to-day basis, how does the heart of an older person compare to one of a younger person?

They both work just about the same

Race and ethnicity in health issues: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

They have the best health care and have the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arthritis, cancer, and serious psychological distress, they have healthier diets than most people in the US and lower smoking rates

Race and ethnicity in health issues: American Indians and Alaskan Natives

They have the worst health and lowest life expectancy of any group in the United States. They have the highest rates of diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, arthritis, alcoholism and substance abuse, smoking, and serious psychological distress, all potentially disabling

How do behavior geneticists primarily study the influence of genes on behaviors?

Twin studies

Type A behavior pattern and its influence on health

Type A behavior pattern: state of being achievement-striving, competitive, and involved in one's job to excess People with a type A personality are at a greater risk for coronary heart disease than those with type B

Why do wrinkles occur?

Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. As people get older, their skin gets thinner, drier, and less elastic, and less able to protect itself from damage.

Dementia

a category of conditions that involve global deterioration in intellectual abilities and physical function - Other types of dementia can be caused by multiple small strokes, Parkinson's disease, multiple blows to the head (as among boxers), a single head trauma, advanced stages of AIDS, depression, drug intoxication, hypothyroidism, some kinds of tumors, vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia, and alcohol abuse.

Myelin

a fatty substance that insulates and protects the neuronal axons; major component of the white matter of the brain

cohort

a group of people who share a common historical experience at the same stage of life

What is an example of a food desert?

a low income neighborhood with many convenience stores

sedentary lifestyle

a way of life that involves little physical activity

ADLs

activities of daily living EXAMPLES: basic self-care activities, such as bathing, dressing, getting around inside the home, shifting from a bed to a chair, using the toilet, and eating

nonnormative life events

aspects that influence one's life that are unique to the individual

Carly was a teenage mom, who then became a grandmother at 35. Carly also found out that she was pregnant at the same time as her own daughter. This situation is an example of _________ stages.

atypical

B cells

cells of the immune system produced in the bone marrow that manufacture antibodies.

T cells

cells of the immune system produced in the thymus gland that reject and consume harmful or foreign cells.

Changes in body weight

changes in total body weight follow a pattern over adulthood, first rising from the 20s to the 40s, staying level into the 50s and 60s, then declining in the 70s

normative age-graded influences

common effects of age that are experienced by most adults

Typical

common to most people

Osteoarthritis

condition caused by loss of cartilage that protects the bones at joints; can involve pain; swelling

Changes in stamina

definition of stamina: the ability to sustain moderate or strenuous activity over a period of time Changes in stamina: clearly arises in large part from the changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and changes in muscles

Changes in balance

definition: the ability to adapt body position to change This loss is gradual. Older adults are likely to have greater difficulty handling uneven sidewalks or snowy streets or adapting the body to a swaying bus. All these situations require flexibility and muscle strength, both of which decline in old age

Changes in dexterity

definition: the ability to use the hands or body in a skillful way why is it lost in older adulthood? lost primarily as a result of arthritic changes in the joints.

ageism

discrimination against those who are in a later (or earlier) period of adulthood

normative history-graded influences

efforts connected to historical events and conditions that are experienced within a culture at that time

Lifestyle choices that affect primary aging

exercise, diet, use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances

developmental origins hypothesis

explanation that events during the fetal period, infancy, and the early years of childhood are significant factors in subsequent adult health.

Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease

factors that CANNOT be prevented: - being older than 50 - family history of Alzheimer's - head injury factors that CAN be prevented: - high cholesterol levels - high blood pressure - sedentary lifestyle - tobacco use - obesity

Risk factors for cancer

factors that CANNOT be prevented: - being older than 50 - family history of cancer factors that CAN be prevented - tobacco use - unhealthy diet - chemical and radiation exposure - STD's - sedentary lifestyle - obesity - excessive alcohol use - unprotected exposure to strong sunlight

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease

factors that CANNOT be prevented: - being older than 50 - family history of cardiovascular disease factors that CAN be prevented: - tobacco smoke and second hand smoke - obesity - sedentary lifestyle - diabetes - high cholesterol - high blood pressure

top 3 major causes of death in adults over the age of 65

heart disease, cancer, lower respiratory disease

life-span developmental psychology approach

idea that development is lifelong, multidimensional, plastic, contextual, and has multiple causes

Morbidity rate

illness rate; number of people afflicted with a certain disease

Plasticity

in neurons, the ability to form new connections or grow new extensions. Neurons are still capable to make changes with age

cross-sectional study

in the study of development, research method in which data is gathered at one time from groups of participants who represent different age groups.

IADLs

instrumental activities of daily living EX: more complex everyday tasks, such as preparing meals, shopping for personal items, doing light housework, doing laundry, using transportation, handling finances, using the telephone, and taking medications

Atypical

not typical; unique to the individual

chronological age

number of years that have passed since birth

Community dwelling

living in one's own home either with a spouse or alone - about 81% of women and 90% of men

Chronic conditions

longer-lasting health disorders - such as heart disease, arthritis, or high blood pressure shows an age-related increase, older adults are 2-3x more likely to have than younger adults

Leading cancer killer in late adulthood

lung cancer

psychological age

measure of an individual's ability to deal effectively with the environment

biological age

measure of an individual's physical condition

functional age

measure of how well an individual is functioning in various aspects of adulthood

social age

measure of the number and type of roles an individual has taken on at a specific point in his or her life

bioecological approach

model of development proposed by Bronfenbrenner that points out that we must consider the developing person within the context of multiple environments.

Differences in sexual desire between young adults and middle-aged adults appear to be related to

parenthood

Stages

parts of the lifespan where there seems to be no progress for some time, followed by an abrupt change

biological clock

patterns of change over adulthood in health and physical functioning

social clock

patterns of change over adulthood in social roles; time schedule of the normal sequence of adult life experiences

primary aging

physical changes that are gradual, shared, and largely inevitable as people grow older

secondary aging

physical changes that are sudden, not shared, and often caused by disease, poor health habits, and environmental events as people grow older

Intergenerational effects

prenatal experiences that affect the female fetus in adulthood and also her subsequent offspring.

mortality rate

probability of dying in any one year. 13% of adults over 85 die each year

Continuous

property of development that is slow and gradual, taking us in a predictable direction.

longitudinal study

research method in which data is gathered over a period of time from the same group of people as they age.

quantitative research

research that collects and reports data primarily in numerical form

qualitative research

research without numerical data; such as case studies, interviews, and participant observations

changes in respiratory system

respiratory system = lungs and the muscles involved with breathing - weakens with age, but is good enough to support daily activities (in healthy people who don't smoke)

Osteoporosis

severe loss of bone mass

Acute conditions

short-term health disorders - cold, flu, infections, short term belly aches - Younger adults are about twice as likely as are those over 65 to suffer from acute conditions

Change

slow and gradual movement in a predictable direction.

Climacteric

time of life for men and women that involves the reduction of sex hormone production resulting in the loss of reproductive ability.

descriptive research

type of data gathering that defines the current state of participants on some measure of interest