chapter 13 study guide

7. Differentiate between fluid and crystallized intelligence. What happens to both in middle age?

Fluid intelligence is the ability to reason abstractly and crystallized intelligence is the accumulation of skills and knowledge. Fluid intelligence decreases because brain function decreases and crystallized intelligence increases because there are more life experiences that they build their knowledge off of.

10. Discuss your current leisure interests. Also, indicate and explain which of these interests you expect to change and which you expect to remain stable as you age. Will any of these interests eventually help you bridge the transition to retirement some day? (3 pts.)

Currently, I enjoy playing musical instruments and playing different sports. I expect that my sports levels will decrease as I age and become less able to play the sports I once loved and dedicated my life to. However, I do not plan to quit my music because it is truly something that I really enjoy and want to continue for as long as possible. I believe that music will help me to transition because it is something I can do that is sort of a career but not really so it is slowly taking me away from those routines.

6. Is there validity in "male menopause"? What changes do middle-aged men encounter?

I feel there is not much validity in "male menopause" because they do not truly lose their ability to have kids like women do. There is a decline in fertility levels but they are still able to produce kids. Middle age men encounter many problems such as ED and other decreases in sexuality.

1. How (or at what age) would you define middle age? Statistically, at what age would you reach "middle age"? How has that definition changed since the early 1900s?

I would define middle age as 35-45 because this seems to be the middle of most people's actual lifespan. I believe this is the age where most people have their lives figured out and are reaching the high point where their life is easy riding for the most part. Statistically, it has been found that 44-64 is approximately middle age and that number seems to be rising with people entering old age around 69 years old. Since the early 1900s, this number has continued to rise as people are living longer and staying healthier (60 is the new 40).

2. By what shape is the age structure of our population being represented now—and how does that compare to what it was in previous decades? What is most likely the cause of this change?

In the past, the age structure of our population was pretty accurately described as a pyramid because that is how the order of age percentages went but the population is becoming more and more rectangle-shaped (rectangularization) This change is probably due to the rising life expectancy and modern medicine and science.

5. Define menopause. What suggestions are given for reducing menopausal symptoms in women?

Menopause is the end of a women's menstrual cycles in middle age to old age. To reduce the symptoms brought by menopause hormone replacement therapy is often used to change the imbalance of hormones that menopause causes.

11. How is religion related to health? Give three reasons to support your answer.

Religion can be related to health in positive and negative ways. The first way is some of the habits that religious groups enforce that could be good or bad for your health (lifestyle issues). Next, there have been multiple studies done that show an increase in survival rates of certain conditions for people who are spiritually healthy (coping with stress). Lastly, there are the social bonds that are built through religious activities and that can encourage better mental and physical health (social networks).

8. Many middle-agers are uncertain about their careers as they contemplate retirement. What are some of their concerns?

Some of the concerns that people in their middle ages experience include finding the motivation to continue their job or the consequence of losing their job or retirement. At this time there are so many options and it can be hard to decide what you want to do in your life.

3. Study the physical changes that are typical for the Middle Adulthood years. Comment on some common changes that occur physically.

Some of the most common physical changes that occur include wrinkles and sagging skin. Their hair also will become greyer and thinner and bone structure will thin and become more brittle. Another obvious physical change is the decrease in height and the increase in weight of people as they go through middle age.

4. What are the leading causes of death in middle age?

The leading cause of death in middle age is chronic conditions with cancer being first and cardiovascular disease being second.

9. "As adults, not only must we learn how to work well, but we also need to learn how to relax and enjoy leisure." Why is this important as we get older?

This is more important as we grow older because once you retire you must be able to keep yourself motivated and active and having leisure time and activities is crucial to have this time. If you never stop and relax your body will be overly stressed and you will decline in health more rapidly.

12. Did you listen to "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce? Explain the meaning of this song and why it's applicable to this age group. (3 pts.)

Yes, I did listen to this song. This song is about saving your time and memories because eventually they will be gone and all you will have left is pictures and memories. It discusses how you have so many goals in life and so much you want to do but time passes so quickly and you run out of time to do all that you want to do. You will wish that you had done all these things and regret not living your life to the fullest. It is applicable to this age group because this is really when people are beginning to realize what they did and didn't accomplish in their lives. They begin to see what they wish they would have spent more and less time on and want to go back but have to keep moving forward.