Adult Aging and Development Exam 1

What is epigenetics, how does it fit in the nature-nurture dichotomy?

the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. Bio or genetics? Stability- change between genes and environment. Environment can change throughout life but genes stay pretty stable. Environment has an affect on which genes are expressed.

Explain what a cohort is.

A group of people born at the same point or specific time span in historical time (huge incidents)

What is average longevity or average life expectancy? Explain why it can go up with age. What are the factors that lead some areas or countries to have low life expectancies? (see book)

Age at which ½ of the individuals who are born in a particular year will have died. Affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Increased can be cause by time it is calculated or declines in infant mortality rates.

What are ageism and elderspeak?

Ageism- discrimination against older adults based on their age Elderspeak- people speak down to elderly (baby talk)

What is atherosclerosis, in general.

Arteries slowly become blocked, including coronary arteries. Smoking, eating poorly, and no exercising makes worse.

How does balance change with age? What are the effects of these changes on daily living?

As lower body strength declines, the likelihood of balance problems and falls increases, as do problems with walking. Falling/ medications

What are meta-analyses?

Find studies that meet criteria. Look at methods and results. Overview, a lot of math, carry more weight.

Why is adult development and aging increasingly important? What is the main demographic change by 2025 (see book illustrations & text) and what by 2100?

Because of the life- span perspective: dynamic interactions among growth, maintenance, and loss regulation. 2025: nearly all of baby boomers will have reached age 65, older females living longer than men, men are catching up

What is the difference between a biological clock and a social clock? How is it related to biological age and social age?

Biological clock- how long you will live, actual age #, internal influences Social clock- what is thought to happen, how you behave, outside influences

What is quasi-experimental research? Why is it quite common in developmental research

Can't claim causality. No random assignment. Can provide valuable information. Cannot prove factor of interest and causes change.

What is presbyopia? When does it occur?

Causes difficulty in seeing close objects clearly, necessitating either longer arms or corrective lenses. Around age 45

Describe the genetic limits theory of primary aging. What is the Hayflick limit? What are telomeres and what do they have to do with aging?

Cells grown in lab culture dishes undergo only a fixed number of divisions dropping depending on the age of the donor organism. o Telomeres- tips of chromosomes, line keepers, play major role in aging by adjusting the cells response to stress and growth stimulation based on cell divisions and DNA damage.

What are the changes in sleep with aging?

Changes in neurological system increase likelihood of insomnia o Sleep earlier, rise earlier o Wake more easily o Sleep more lightly o Less slow- wave sleep Sleep changes worse for men, some are due to health problems and meds, don't take naps and have good night sleep

What are cataracts and how can they be treated?

Clouding of lens that reduces sharp transmission to retina. Used to be one of main causes of blindness but now very common. Lens gets taken out.

What are the effects of vision loss on daily living?

Consequences- driving, reading, most errands during day, very limiting!

Recognize which diseases fall under the general heading "Cardiovascular disease".

Coronary Heart disease (CHD), Atherosclerosis, Angina pectoris, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, rhythm problems

What is the lifespan approach in developmental psychology?

Divides human development into two phases: an early phase (childhood and adolescence) and a later phase ( young adulthood, middle age, and old age) - Paul Baltes model

What is cross-linking, how could it account for primary aging?

Dysfunction of tissues shouldn't happen. Certain proteins in human cells interact randomly and produce molecules that are linked in such a way as to make a body stiffer.

What are the commonly accepted age ranges in adult development?

Emerging Adulthood (25), Middle Adulthood (40 -65), Late Adulthood (65+), Old (85+)

Who was Jeanne Calment? How old was she when she died? Any things she did particularly that might be good for long living, or short living

French supercentenarian who has longest confirmed human lifespan. 122. Wine, chocolate, smoked, exercise.

What is the difference between gerontology and geriatrics?

Gerontology- study of aging from maturity through old age, has flourished, multidisciplinary Geriatrics- concerned with health, disease, care, treatment of old folks

What are the contexts where quality of life is most discussed?

Health related quality of life and non health related. In context with specific diseases or conditions and quality of life relating to end of life issues.

What are the changes in the immune system with age? What are autoimmune diseases?

Immune function worsens by psychological stress and depression o Innate IS- immediate nonspecific defense system declines in function somehow o Adaptive IS- longer term defense against specific pathogens B Cells: make antibodies which react to infectious agents, show abnormalities with age, accounts for increase of autoimmune disorders T Cells: reject and consume harmful foreign cells, w/ age they show reduced abilities to fight new infection

What are the issues with Hormone Replacement Therapy? (HRT)

Increases risk of breast cancer, symptoms will stop. Increase risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke and ball gladder disease.

What is descriptive research?

Informs current state. Lacks high level of experimental control.

Explain what correlation research is. If a correlation is high, what does that do to the number? What is the difference between a positive and a negative correlation?

Investigators examine relations between variables as they exist naturally in the world, ask everyone same question, find relationships. High correlation means high strength of the relation between the two variables. Positive- high scores/ go up together or down together. Negative- decrease, opposite direction. R +1.00 to -1.00

What are the age-effects on athletic performance?

Makes a lot of things better. You can stay athletic the older you get but you get slower.

What is experimental research? Explain how it works

Manipulating a key factor that researcher believes is responsible for a particular behavior or randomly assigning participants to the experimental and control groups. IV vs. DV. Treat groups differently, compare outcomes, random assignment.

Compare the stereotypes associated with middle age and old age.

Middle aged- half positive half negative. Old Age- very negative stereotypes

What are common changes in the eye with age, and what are the results for vision?

One of the first noticeable signs of aging. A decrease in the amount of light that passes through the eye- the need for more light to do tasks such as reading. Lens becomes more yellow, causing poorer color discrimination in the green- blue- violet end of the spectrum. Also, the lens ability to adjust and focus declines as muscles around stiffens.

What factors affect whether or not older adults have sexual relations?

Physical ability, sexual desire, and privacy(nursing home)

What is glaucoma and how is it treated?

Pressure build up of inside eye that destroys optic nerve, common, can't tell when you have it. Used to be main cause of blindness. Treated with eye drops.

What is macular degeneration?

Retina disorder causing central vision loss. Less common than other 2. Worse in smokers and white women. Treatment slows progression, injections.

What is health? How does it differ from quality of life?

State of complete physical, mental and social well being, not merely the absence of disease of infirmity. Context related and subjective. Self ratings o Illness- presence of a physical or mental disease or impairment

What two causes of death are in the top five causes of death for all age groups over 14?

Stroke and cardiovascular disease

Why are STDs (incl. HIV/AIDS) a problem in the elderly?

They think they won't have kids, no protection.

What is the climacteric?

The pass from their reproductive to nonreproductive years. Major biological process for women.

What is menopause and what is the average age at which it occurs?

The point at which menstruation stops. The change begins in 40s and by age 50 or 55 it is usually complete.

What are non-normative life events? Give examples.

Unusual happenings to just that person , important to just that person but not experienced by most people. Ex. Winning the lottery. Unpredictability makes them unique

What is adult development?

Very little info was available about old age a few decades ago, learn what is typical and not typical of aging

What is qualitative research? How is it different from the other types of research

Without numbers. Case studies, interviews, observations. Time, precision, objectivity.

How do taste and smell change with age? What are the effects of these changes on daily living? What disease appears to be related to changes in smell?

o Ability to taste and smell declines with age o Possible causes- diabetes, smoking, males in general have less smell, live in cities o Safety and pleasurable experiences, social interactions can suffer, lack of remembering life experiences o Alzheimer's Disease

What characteristics do you have to consider when selecting participants for your study? Why? What four methods of data collection were mentioned in class? Be able to recognize these types of data collection when given examples.

o Ages, depth of data, generalizability o Observation - naturalistic or structures. Interviews/ Questionnaires. Standardized

What is the general pattern of bone mass over the life span? What are the effects on daily living in older adults? What can be done to mitigate loss of bone density?

o Begins in late 30s, accelerates in 50s(particularly in women), and slows down by 70s. Greatest bone mass found around age 30. Faster for women at 50 cause of menopause o Higher risk of fractures, very expensive. Decline in function. Mortality rate goes up. Regular health visits, vitamin D and K, medications and treatments. o Biosposphonates, dietary, medication approach

What are the 'forces of development' in the biopsychosocial framework?

o Biological Forces- genetics and health related, food habits, activity ex. Menopause, face wrinkling, changes in major organ systems o Psychological Forces- cognitive, impulsive, emotion, personality ex. Characteristics we notice about people that make the individuals o Sociocultural Forces- friends and family, support, culture, ethnic, societal. Provide overall contexts in which we develop o Life- Cycle Factors- reflect diff. in how the same event or combination of factors affects people at diff. points in their lives. Affect diff. @ diff. stages

What is diabetes? What types are there? What is the incidence? What is the treatment? What kinds of complications of diabetes are common?

o Body has trouble with production and function of insulin(regulates blood sugar range) o Type 1: poor at making insulin (5%) Type 2: wearing the pancreas out, giving so much carbs/ sugar, can't produce anymore insulin (95%) o Incidence- 10% of adults in US, 20% over 60 years old, AA 12.6%, Hispanic 11.8%, 8.4% Asian, European 7% o Treatment- need to be careful, requires attention, weight control avoid sugar and carbs, drinking is not good! (calories)

What are the changes in weight observed for men and women over the course of adult lifespan? What (in general) are the interesting trends in obesity and overweight over the past 40 years?

o Both men and women lose weight late in 50s but slightly diff patterns, not necessary o Women- stabilize sooner cause pregnancy o Proportion of obese people increased over past 40 years. Overweight remained relatively unchanged.

What process causes loss of bone density in normal aging adults? What disease process causes more serious loss of bone density?

o Calcium loss causes less dense, more brittle bones. Loss of bone mass makes bones more hollow. o Osteoporosis- loss of bone mass and increased porosity create bones that resemble laced honeycombs, women are susceptible to severe bone degeneration

What are the differences between people that are captured by chronological age, biological age, psychological age, social age and functional age?

o Chronological Age- actual # ex. 24, 26 o Biological Age-how does physical (your) condition compare to average people (other) ex. How grey are your hairs compared to other people at same age o Psychological Age- how do you behave? Ex. Maturity o Social Age- what is the expectation of how you are supposed to act at your age. Socially determined/ social standards o Functional Age- how well do you function compared to others @ your age. Ex. Granny/ grandma

What are the three types of designs that catch differences among age groups?

o Cross- Sectional o Longitudinal o Sequential

What are differences in health over SES groups? What is thought to account for this?

o Decrease in these categories, worse conditions, more risk factors, worse conditions, more risk factors o Risk of dying before 65 decrease as family income gets higher

What are the 4 steps for skin wrinkling with age? Which step seems to be somewhat reversible with exercise?

o First, outer layer of skin becomes thinner through cell loss- more fragile skin o Second, collagen fibers that make up connective tissue lose much of their flexibility- making skin less able to regain shape after a pinch o Third, elastin fibers in middle layer of skin lose ability to keep skin stretched out- sagging o Finally, underlying of fat diminishes, helps provide padding to smooth out contours o First or second

What 'genetic' factors affect life expectancy? What 'environmental' factors affect life expectancy? What are the differences in life expectancy between ethnic groups? What are the gender differences in life expectancy?

o Genetic Factors- ethnic background, gender and family background o Environmental Factors- diseases, toxins, lifestyles and social class o Gender Differences- between ages 65 and 89 women score higher, beyond age 90 men score higher

What factors are thought to be the main causes of individual differences in primary aging?

o Genetics- test how likely you are to get diseases o Lifestyle o race, ethnicity and socioeconomic group= often combo of above

What are the changes in hair growth with age for men and women? Color, density, new location?

o Gradual thinning and graying of hair of both men and women (graying very diverse- ethnic group, genetics (can vary w/in family) o Men- eyebrows and ears (normally don't lose facial hair, can be very bushy) o Women- chin

What non reproductive hormonal changes were discussed in class.

o Growth hormone declines- causing less muscle mass o Adosterone production declines- easier dehydration and heat stroke, thirst and cycle/ hydration, heat stroke- death in elders

What are the changes in the cardiovascular system with normal aging? How is the increase in blood pressure medication with age related to this? How can the changes of normal aging be slowed?

o Heart of older people function as well as younger on daily basis but slower to respond to challenge. Walls of arteries thicker and less supply and do not adjust to blood flow in cells. o Late 30s to mid 70s increase proportion of men and women taking blood pressure medicine. Increase in men earlier than women, menopause o Regular exercise can reduce some effects.

What are the differences in health over ethnicities? What diseases are more common in African Americans than other ethnic groups? Which ethnicities generally have the best health? What is the healthy immigrant effect?

o Immigrants eat less processed foods and eat from land. Come to America healthier so they bring health rates of their race higher.

What are chronic and acute disease? What are the differences with age for both?

o Less acute disease with age, but effects of acute disease are worse o More chronic disease with age Less likely to catch what is going around, but when they get it last a while Almost ½ adults 65 and older don't have chronic condition... yet

What causes hearing loss? At what age is hearing loss common (how common) in adults? What is the effect of hearing loss on daily living? What can be done to minimize hearing loss?

o Loud noise, rock concerts, ear buds- especially during exercise o Can happen at any age. By 65 1/3 adults have some significant hearing impairment, very common. Decline much steeper for men o Shortening of loudness scale (loud- soft discrimination), loss of independence, social isolation, irritation, depression, paranoia. o Hearing implants, cochlear implants

How do the reproductive hormones change with age in men and women? What changes does this cause?

o Men- gradual decline in testosterone, decrease in viable sperm, muscle mass, sexual desire, sexual response. Erectile dysfunction is associated with age and can be treated with medication o Women- menopause occurs signaling an end to reproductive abilities. Ovarian failure related to drop in estrogen changes in progesterone. Average age of menopause- 51

Explain how sequential design works. What are the advantages and disadvantages of sequential design?

o More efficient, mix of both. Different cohorts of different ages. o Advantages- can analyze age changes and variations, separate impact of unique cohort experiences o Disadvantages- complex, expensive, time consuming

What is mortality? How is mortality usually contextualized? How does average mortality change with age, what is the difference between genders.

o Mortality- probability of dying in any one year for a population o Rate in US increases with age and is lower for women than men at every age

What is the difference between normative age-graded and normative history-graded influences on adult development (be able give examples of each).

o Normative Age- Graded- caused by biological, psychological, and sociocultural forces that occur to most people of a particular age. Ex. Puberty, menopause, wedding boom o Normative History- Graded - events that most people in a specific culture experience at the same time. Ex. Epidemics (biological), stereotypes (psychological), or changing attitudes toward sexuality ( sociocultural). Ex. Generation X

What is position of heart disease as cause of death for the age group 65+? How about 45-64?

o Not a normal part of aging o #1 killer of women in US and world, more than cancer o Men a little higher o Gender diff in heart attack: women have different symptoms and can't tell it's a heart attack: back pain, headaches and more versatile

What is osteoarthritis and how is it different from rheumathoid arthritis? What are the effects of these disorders on mobility?

o Osteoarthritis- disease marked by gradual onset and progression of pain and disability, with minor signs of inflammation. Becomes noticeable in late middle age or early old age, wear and tear disease, effects hands, spine, hips and knees o Rheumatoid arthritis- more destructive disease of the joints and also develops slowly and typically affects different joints and causes other types of pain than osteoarthritis

Describe the oxidative damage theory of primary aging. What are free radicals and how do they relate to antioxidants?

o Oxidative Damage Theory- over time, damage builds, antioxidants o Free radicals- highly reactive chemicals produced randomly in normal metabolism. Can cause cell damage to heart by changing the oxygen levels in cells.

What are primary, secondary and tertiary aging and how do are they the same/different? What is the difference between the idea of terminal drop and terminal decline?

o Primary- gradual, normal, disease- free development during adulthood. Inevitable changes that happen to all when we age. o Secondary- Sudden changes resulting from disease, poor health habits, and environmental influences. Not inevitable. o Tertiary- rapid loses that occur shortly before death- terminal decline or drop. o Terminal drop- sudden, rapid, not steady, curve o Terminal Decline- steady, straight line, slow decline, negative slop

What is cancer? How common is it? What is position of heart disease as cause of death for the age group 65+? How about 45-64

o Rapidly accelerated, uncontrolled cell % caused by series of mutations, genetic errors, cellular level o Second leading cause of death, increase with age o 1 in 4 men, 1 in 5 woman o Gender- Young men more likely to get leukemia, lung cancer #1 killer- incidence decrease o Prevention- screening!!! ** Epigentics- what you eat and drink makes a difference of what is expressed

What is Maximum oxygen uptake? How does it vary with age?

o Reflects body's ability to take in and utilize oxygen during exercise o Peaks in adolescence and declines steadily with age o Varies significantly depending on activity level

What is the difference between stamina, dexterity and balance? How do these change with age? How can the changes of normal aging be slowed?

o Stamina- ability to maintain activity. Decrease with age due to circulatory system. Not necessary to lose o Dexterity- can you manipulate things? Fine motor control, hands depends on illness. Somewhat declines with age o Balance- ability to stay up right. Declines with age... falling! Body systems against gravity: skeleton, organs and sense: brain, vision, ear, skin muscles (detect pressure) joints. Vesicular system

What is maximum longevity (see book)

the oldest age to which any individual of a species lives

Explain how longitudinal design works. What are the advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal design?

o Take one group of people and measure them over time. Follow same subjects over time. o Advantages- age and cohort not confounded, changes seen are real, non change = stable, can look @ change or stability w/ individual o Disadvantages- selective dropout can weaken findings, expensive! , weakened by time of measurement effect, often have smaller samples

Explain how cross-sectional design works. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cross-sectional design?

o Time of measurement, years, age by values. Different groups of subjects @ different ages. Inform about potential age difference. Limited by cohort effects( something that affected a group of people but for one time) o Advantages- quick, possible age difference o Disadvantages- age and cohort are cofounded, cannot draw conclusions about individuals/ inconsistency, change over time

What are activities of daily living and how are they different from instrumental activities of daily living?

o Walking around o Bathe/shower (help with shower) o Dress yourself o Feed yourself o Brush own hair o Wipe self after using bathroom o Can you live by yourself?

How does body fat get redistributed with aging?

o Weight gain in middle age followed by weight loss in later life o Gain weight in 20s and mid- 50s o Lose weight throughout older age( due to changes in metabolism, slow down, and reduced levels of oxygen, reduces number of calories needed daily o Men- abdomen , Women- hips, pear shape

What are the gender similarities and differences in health disorders? What are some reasons that are suggested to account for this?

o Women: more disability and non fatal chronic diseases(live longer), increase incidence of most psychological disorders o Men: increased rates of alcoholism, substance abuse, suicide o Women die at older ages of same diseases as men o More difficult to explain emotional disorders