PSYCH 250 EXAM 4

1. What challenge do older adults today still need to face, just like older adults of the past?

--> to try to tie up the strands of our life story and give a better ending -- was my life story a good one? do I need to do a few more things for a good ending?

Physical changes: skin, muscle-fat makeup, skeleton (p. 415)

SKIN- -skin has 3 layers: epidermis (outer layer, protective, new cells), dermis (middle layer, elasticity, bounce) and hypodermis (inner, fatty layer, soft lines and skin shape) --*As we age, the epidermis becomes LESS FIRMLY attached to the dermis, fibers in the dermis THIN and LOSE ELASTICITY, cells in both epidermis and dermis DECLINE IN WATER CONTENT, and FAT in the hypodermis diminishes, leading the skin to wrinkle, loose, and feel dry* --30s: lines develop on forehead --40s: lines become more pronounced and "crow's-feet" appear around the eyes --gradually, skin loses elasticity and sags, esp on face, arms, and legs --after 50: "Age spots" collections of pigment under the skin become more visible as the fatty layer thins -sun exposure hastens wrinkling, loosening and spotting -- individuals who have spent a lot of time outside w proper skin protection look older than their counterparts ; partly bc dermis of women is not as thick as that of men and estrogen loss accelerates thinning and decline in elasticity, WOMEN'S SKIN ages MORE quickly MUSCLE-FAT MAKEUP- -*weight gain* - *"middle age spread"* - is a concern for BOTH men and women -INCREASE IN BODY FAT AND LOSS OF LEAN BODY MASS (muscle and bone) - common patterns -rise in fat largely affects the torso and occurs as fatty deposits within the body cavity; fat beneath the skin on the limbs declines -size of abdomen increases 7-14% mostly due to weight gain -men accumulate more fat on back and upper abdomen, women around waist and upper arms -muscle mass declines very gradually in 40s and 50s largely due to atrophy of fast twitch fibers , responsible for speed and explosive strength -large weight gain and muscle loss is NOT inevitable ; with age ppl must gradually reduce caloric intake to adjust for the age related decline in basal metabolic rate -in non human animals, dietary restraint increases longevity while sustaining health and vitality -women, who tend to be less active than men, experience a more rapid age related decline in muscle mass -weight bearing exercise that includes resistance training can offset both excess weight and muscle loss -If you stay active, like jog weekly, many endurance athletes can maintain same weight and muscle physique throughout early and middle adulthood SKELETON- -as new cells accumulate on their outer laters the bones broaden with age, but their mineral content declines so they become more POROUS -gradual loss in bone density that begins age 40 and accelerates in 50s -- esp among WOMEN -women's reserve of bone minerals is lower than men's to begin with!! -following menopause, the favorable impact of estrogen on bone mineral absorption is lost -men, testosterone is similarly protective, and as they age testosterone and bone density decline -reduction in density in middle and late is substantial -- about 8-12% in men and 20-30% women -loss of bone strength causes disks in spinal column to collapse -height may drop by as much as 1 inch by age 60, will hasten thereafter -weakened bones cannot support as much load; *they fracture easier and heal slower* - a healthy lifestyle - including weight bearing exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and avoidance of smoking and heavy alcohol consumption - can slow bone loss in postmenopausal women by as much as 30-50%

Alzheimer's Disease - symptoms, brain deterioration, risk factors, protective factors (text pp. 473-476)

-Dementia: refers to a set of disorders occurring almost entirely in old age in which many aspects of thought and behavior are so impaired that everyday activities are disrupted -affects 13% of adults over 65, approx 2-3% 65-69, doubles eery 5-6 yrs until 22% ages 85-90 and over half after 90 --> *Alzheimer's disease*: the most common form of dementia, in which structural and chemical brain deterioration is associated w gradual loss of many aspects of thought and behavior -accounts for 70% of all dementia cases -approx 11% of Americans over 65 (5.2 mil ppl) have the disorder -of those over 85, about 1/3 affected -expected to rise by 50% (7.7 mil) in 2030 when boomers reach late adulthood --> *Symptoms and course of the disease*: -earliest symptoms are often progressively worsening memory problems - forgetting names, dates, familiar travel routes... -at first, recent memory is most impaired, but as serious disorientations set in, recall of distant events and such basic facts as time, date, and place evaporates -faulty judgement - danger -loss of spontaneity and sparkle, anxiety in response to uncertainties created by mental problems, aggressive outbursts, reduced initiative, and social withdrawal = personality changes -depression often occurs in early phase of Alzheimers and other dementia cases, and seems part of disease process .. may worsen as adult ages and reacts to disturbing mental changes --> *Brain deterioration*: -approach of diagnosing Alzheimers through exclusion is 90% accurate -to confirm, after death doctors inspect brain for set of abnormalities that cause/result from the disease -in majority of cases, PET and MRI images of brain volume and activity predict whether an individual will receive an after death confirmation of Alzheimers; assessing chemical makeup of blood/cerebrospinal fluid also predictive -*TWO MAJOR STRUCTURAL CHANGES* IN THE CEREBRAL CORTEX, ESP IN MEMORY AND REASONING AREAS, ARE ASSOCIATED W ALZHEIMER'S: 1. *Neurofibrillary tangles appear* 2. *Amyloid plaques develop* -inside neurons, Neurofibrillary tangles appear - bundles of twisted threads that are the product of collapsed neural structures and that contain abnormal forms of a protein called tau -outside neurons, Amyloid plaques, dense deposits of a deteriorated protein called amyloid, surrounded by clumps of dead neurons and glial cells, develop -these 2 structures are FAR more abundant in the brain w Alzheimers -abnormal breakdown of amyloid remaining within neurons = major culprit of the disease; plaques reflect brain's effort to eject harmful amyloid from neurons -damaged amyloid induces heightened, abnormal electrical activity throughout brain -abnormal tau in neurofibrillary tangles adds to neuronal breakdown; tangles disrupt the transport of nutrients and signals from the neuron to its connective fibers ; tau spreads and amplifies damage -as synapses deteriorate, levels of NT decline, neurons die in massive numbers, and brain volume shrinks. -destruction of neurons that release NT acetylcholine - Ach - involved in transporting messages, further disrupts neuronal networks. a drop in serotonin - regulates mood and arousal - may contribute to sleep disturbances, aggressive outbursts, and depression --> *Risk factors*: -Alzheimers disease comes in 2 types: 1. FAMILIAL - runs in families --responsible for 1% or fewer cases --generally has early onset, ages 30-60 --progresses more rapidly --genes on chromosomes 1,14,21 -- harmful amyloid, dominant abnormal gene; if it is present in only one of the pair of genes inherited from parents, the person will develop early onset Alzheimer's --21 is Downs; ppl w this chromosome disorder who live past 40 almost always have the brain abnormalities and symptoms of Alzheimers 2. SPORADIC - no obvious fam history --later appearing, after 65 --heredity plays a diff role in sporadic, through somatic mutation --about half of ppl w this form have an abnormal gene on chromosome 19, results in excess levels of APOE E4, blood protein that carries cholesterol through body, this affects genes regulating insulin-- when extreme, deficient insulin and glucose buildup in bloodstream linked to diabetes and brain damage, esp memory and high build up of amyloid tissue in brain --individual's with diabetes have a greatly increased risk of developing Alzheimers --the abnormal APOE E4 gene is the most WIDELY known risk factor for sporadic rn : those who inherit one APOE E4 allele have three fold greater risk; those who inherit two have an 8-12 fold greater risk --many sporadic victims how no known genetic marker and some w the APOE E4 gene do not develop disease --role of largely modifiable risk factors: excess dietary fat, physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity, smoking, chronic depression, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes --moderate to sever head injuries increase risk --ppl subjected to repeated instances, like boxers, esp likely to be affected --high incidence of Alzheimers among AAs --intermarriage w European Americans heightened genetic risk among AAs and environmental factors translated that risk to reality --eating fatty food increases chance APOE E4 gene causes Alz; higher fat consumed and higher LDL/bad cholesterol = greater incidence of Alzheimers --new findings indicate a substantial number of sporadic cases are due to epigenetic processes, where environmental influences modify gene expression --elevated methylation levels were linked to genetic markers of the disease --> *Protective factors*: -among promising drug therapies are compounds that interfere with amyloid and tau breakdown and that suppress brain inflammation resulting from these toxic proteins, which worsen neuronal damage -insulin therapy helps regulate neuronal use of glucose -- memory benefits, slows cognitive decline among older adults w mild cognitive impairment (precedes Alzheimers) -Mediterranean diet emphasizing fish, unsaturated fat olive oil, veggies, and moderate consumption of red wine is linked to 30-50% reduced incidence of Alzheimers disease; foods have antioxidants that promote cardiovascular and CNS -education and active lifestyle beneficial; rate if Alzheimers is reduced by more than half in older adults w higher education --Some researchers speculate that complex cognitive activities of better educated people lead to reorganization of brain areas devoted to cognitive processes and to richer synaptic connections, which as a *cognitive reserve*, giving the aging brain greater tolerance for injury before it crosses the threshold into mental disability -highly educated display faster rate of decline after diagnosis of alz, suggesting that they show symptoms only after very advanced brain deterioration -late life cognitively stimulating social and leisure activities also protect against alz and dementia in general -persistance, intensity, and variety of physical activity are associated with decreased risk of alz and vascular dementia ; benefits are greater for older ppl with the APOE E4 gene

2. Harry and Antoinette - run butcher shop You see Harry and Antoinette handling many responsibilities, similar to the sandwich generation of middle adulthood. What responsibilities do you see them handling?

-grandparents, married 40 years, Harry decides to keep working at age 60 NOT retire -more things to do / activities -kids growing up fast -daughter cooks and takes care of father at own home, does NOT want to put him in a retirement home; father living with them, takes care of little kids -son works at butcher shop at times and feels obliged to take it over one day bc he knows how hard his parents have worked; Harry tries to get his older kids to come home sometimes to take over the business -hard to balance work and children - make time; spoils grandchildren -ask kids what they feel, bring their friends home, and try to keep the kids at home -Harry says the door is always open for his sons to come work at the shop even though they have professional jobs

9. Mariam Highfit - Group living for widows With Mariam we see an alternative living arrangement for older adults who have lost their partners. What do you see as some of the benefits of the arrangement?

-they share daily work and memories -don't have to be lonely and depressed ; friends who are other widows -group takes care of each other; all of similar disposition, women who have lost their husbands: biological clocks run out sooner for men than women, men die younger -many women don't want to burden their children so they don't live with them, come here instead

TEXT pp. 480-482: Memory changes in late adulthood: explicit vs. implicit memory; prospective memory; associative memory; remote memory; term: reminiscence bump

EXPLICIT V IMPLICIT MEMORY -aging adults find diverse aspects of episodic recall increasingly challenging -slower cog processing means they retain fewer details and bc working memories can hold less at once, older adults attend poorly to CONTEXT (imp retrieval cue - who with, when, where...) -older ppl sometime cannot distinguish imagined events to ones that actually happened : harder to recall the source of information -temporal memory - recall of the order that events occurred - suffers as well -older adults' limited working memories increase the likelihood of another type of episodic difficulty: they may travel from the den to the kitchen intending to get something but then not recall what they intend to get ;;; when the context in which they formed the memory intention (den) differs from the retrieval context (kitchen), they often experience memory lapses! -recognition memory suffers less than recall in late adulthood bc a multitude of environmental supports for remembering are present --Age related declines in memory are GREATEST on *explicit memory tasks* = require controlled, strategic processing --another automatic form of memory - *implicit memory* = memory without conscious awareness (procedural) -age differences in implicit memory are much smaller in explicit -memory that depends on familiarity rather than conscious use of strategies is better preserved in old age -- why semantic memory (recall of vocal and general info, well learned and highly familiar) declines far less and does at a later age than recall of everyday experiences -episodic memory problems place high demands on their limited working memory ASSOCIATIVE MEMORY -*Associative memory deficit*: difficulty creating and retrieving links between pieces of information, fro example 2 items or an item and its context -older adults do almost as well as younger on single item memory tests, but they perform far worse on item pair tests ; older ppl have greater difficulty remembering widely varying associations, including face - name , face - face, word - voice, and person - action pairings -easing task demands by providing older adults with helpful memory cues improves their associative memory -use of elaboration strategies and cues greatly reduces young old difference in memory -associative deficits are substantially affected by lack of strategy use that helps bind information into integrated wholes REMOTE MEMORY -*remote memory* = very long term episodic recall --autobiographical memory = recall of personally meaningful events --> Among remote events recalled, most happened between ages 10 and 30 - a period of heightened autobiographical memory called the *Reminiscence bump* -- this is evident in the autobiographical recall of older adults from diverse cultures --why are adolescent and early adulthood experiences retrieved more readily than those of middle adulthood? Youthful events occur during a period of rapid life change filled with novel experiences that stand out from the humdrum of daily life; adolescence and early adulthood are times of identity development -reminiscence bump characterizes emotionally positive but not negative memories -culturally important events are usually pos and cluster earlier in life -richness of older adults' remote autobiographical memories - mentions of ppl, objects, places - modestly exceeds that of younger ppl -imp early life events are usually recalled many times throughout life on one's own and in elaborative conversations with others, which strengthens them PROSPECTIVE MEMORY -so far we have considered retrospective memory (remembering things of past).... --> *Prospective memory* = refers to remembering to engage in planned actions in the future -older adults do better on event based than on time based prospective memory tasks -declines in late adulthood are considerable -older adults compensate for their reduced capacity working memories and the challenge of dividing attention between what they are doing now and what they must do in the future -one a prospective memory task is finished, older adults find it harder than younger adults to deactivate or inhibit their intention to engage in the future action ; hence, they sometimes repeat the action again -older adults benefit from reminder systems

Changing parent-child relationship - terms: empty nest syndrome, kinkeeper, sandwich generation

RELATIONSHIPS AT MID-LIFE: A. *Relationships to Own Children* - -some adjustments, but folks usually do well when kids leave -this phase is about launching one's own children and getting them to be successful adults = goal -may lead to parental adjustment issues -->SANDWICH GENERATION: *competing demands of aging parents and own children* -multiple generations; you are dealing with the needs of your elderly parents and your own young kids, "sandwiched" between two gens -->EMPTY NEST SYNDROME: *emotional crisis, typically linked to sadness and depression, brought on by children leaving home* -->BUT CRISIS IS NOT THE NORM: -*many report INCREASED happiness, marital satisfaction, and sense of well being after children leave* (more time to spare for self interests - play piano ...) -*parent child relationship often improves* (not all in each others face) -*need to adjust and adopt new roles and routines* (e.g., *KINKEEPER* = *person who keeps fam in touch and gathers the fam*) -kinkeeper is the person who may say "we call n Sundays" to get the whole fam together -liberating time for many people

final thoughts and take home messages:

think life stage with difficult people each life stage is wonderful/beautiful in its own way and has its own challenges

10. It's important and healthy for each of us to look back on the mystery of our lives. What is this process called?

the life review

Demographic terms: average life expectancy (p. 459), maximum lifespan (p. 461), life expectancy crossover (p. 461), primary aging & secondary aging (p. 471); lessons from centenarians (p. 462)

*Average Life Expectancy*: the number of years that an individual born in a particular year can expect to live, starting at any age -Dramatic gains in average life expectancy provide powerful support for the multiplicity of factors that slow biological aging, including improved nutrition, medical treatment, sanitation and safety *Maximum Lifespan*: the species specific biological limit to length of life (in years) corresponding to the age at which the oldest knowns individual died -upper bound of human longevity, oldest verified is 122 yrs *Life Expectancy Crossover*: surviving African Americans live longer than members of the white majority -after age 80 this occurs -among men and the economically disadvantaged AAs, only the biologically sturdiest survive into very old age *Primary Aging*: (biological aging) genetically influenced declines that affect all members of our species and take place even in the context of overall good health -primary contributes to frailty ... but secondary contributes more -ex: fading vision, impaired hearing, decreased resistance to infections, reduced ability to handle stress... *Secondary Aging*: declines due to hereditary defects and negative environmental influences (poor diet, lack of exercise, disease, substance abuse, environmental pollution, and psychological stress) *Lessons from Centenarians*: -these are 100 year olds -the past 25 years have seen a fivefold increase in world's centenarian population, with women outnumbering men 5:1 -still rare in US - a fraction of 1% of pop, 72,000 -in study 1/4 reached age 100 with no major chronic disease -generally healthier than older adults who died before their 100th bday -they are diverse in education, economic well being, and ethnicity -usually hereditary ; genetic component, grandparents lived to be old too -all teeth; unusual physical health -highly optimistic , favorable mental health; contributors to longevity - social support and close family bonds and happy marriage -robust centenarians have a history of community involvement -- these people illustrate typical development at its best. these independent, mentally alert, happy 100 year olds reveal how a healthy lifestyle , personal resourcefulness, and close ties to family and community can build on biological strengths, thereby pushing the limits of an active , fulfilling life

osteoporosis (text pp. 421)

-*when age related bone loss is SEVERE, condition* = *OSTEOPOROSIS* -bone disorder, affecting 10% of US adults age 50 and older -- amounting to 10 million people most of whom are women -- greatly magnifies risk of bone fractures -additional 44% are at risk for osteoporosis bc they have bone density levels low enough to be of concern -from middle adulthood to late adulthood osteoporosis increases fivefold in women from 7--> 35%, and triples in men from 3-->11% -bc bones are more porous over years, osteoporosis may not be evident until fractures - typically in spine, hips and wrist - occur or are discovered through x rays -MAJOR factor related to osteoporosis is the DROP IN ESTROGEN associated with menopause -in middle and late, women lose 20-30 % of bone mass, about half in the first 10 yrs following menopause - a decline that by late 60s is two to four times greater than in men -men - age related decrease in testosterone - though much more gradual than estrogen loss in women - contributes to bone loss bc the body converts some to estrogen -HEREDITY plays an important role -family history of osteoporosis increases risk, w identical twins more likely than fraternal to share the disorder -ppl with thin small framed bodies are more likely to be affected bc they typically attain a lower peak bone mass in adolescence -higher bone density makes AAs less susceptible than other US ethnic groups --an unhealthy lifestyle also contributes: a diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D, excess intake of sodium and caffeine, and physical inactivity reduce bone mass ... smoking and alcohol also harmful bc they interfere with replacement of bone cells -when major bone fractures happen many suffer permanent loss in function and quality of life and are at high risk for additional fractures -a serious fracture triples the chance of dying within a year -osteo has become known as "women's disease"... men are far less likely to be screened and treated for it even after a hip fracture -men w hip fractures tend to be older compared to women, .. prob for these reasons the one year mortality rate after hip fracture is greater for men than for women -To TREAT osteoporosis, docs recommend -- a diet rich with calcium and vitamin D, weight bearing exercise (walking instead of swimming) , resistance training and bone strengthening medications -better way to reduce lifelong risk is through EARLY prevention: maximizing peak bone density by increasing calcium and vitamin D intake and engaging in regular exercise in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood

Relationships in late adulthood: increasing importance of friendships (lecture), nature of marriage, lesbian and gay couples, divorce (text pp. 503-505); term: social convoy (p. 503)

--> *Social Convoy*: an influential model of changes in our social networks as we move through life -some ppl in inner circle drift off and roles change ... as long as social convoy exists, you adapt + -as ties are lost, older adults draw others closer and most cultivate new network members though not at the rate they did at younger ages -size of convoy decreases as age mates die, most aging adults sustain an inner circle of gratifying relationships -but for some, the social convoy breaks down; abuse and neglect of those close to them :( MARRIAGE- -longitudinal evidence reveals that the increased marital satisfaction from middle to late adulthood is due to a cohort effect -by 80s, an array of societal changes presented substantial substantial challenges to marital contentment : a rise in US families experiencing financial hardship, increased role overload as more married women moved into the work force, greater disagreement over gender role expectations related to marital roles, and more individualistic attitudes toward marriage -paths of late life marital satisfaction are diverse -the steady declining patterns, seen in marital sat in a study w 700 ppl cont married, they had the highest % of financial difficulties -2/3 participants maintained happy marriages throughout adulthood -how do the majority of adults maintain highly satisfying marriages? -- greater emphasis on regulating emotion in relationships may enable aging couples to resile their differences in constructive ways -older adults attempt to prevent disagreements from escalating to limit stress -married older ppl generally have larger social networks of both family members and friends, inc support = inc psychological well being -strengthening association of marriage with good health in late adulthood -late life marriage is linked to lower rates of chronic illness and disability and increased longevity -a poor marriage takes a greater toll on women than men LESBIAN AND GAY COUPLES- -older lesbians and gay men, despite historical challenges and lifetime of coping, mostly report highly fulfilling relationships and satisfaction -like their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority older couples rate their physical health and mental health more favorably than do their single lesbian and gay age mates -compared w same sex couples not in a legally recognized relationship , those who are married are advantaged in physical and psychological well being; their more favorable mental health is equivalent to that of older couples in long term heterosexual marriages -aging les and gay men face unique challenged bc of prejudice : health care systems often unresponsive to their unique needs, and those caring for a partner in poor health may not seek help due to discrimination --> these circumstances can make late life declines and losses more stressful DIVORCE, REMARRIAGE, COHABITATION- -couples who divorce in late adulthood constitute less than 5% of all US divorces in any given year -but divorce among people 65 and older has quadrupled over the past 3 decades, currently affecting 13% of women and 11% of men -new gens of older adults have become more accepting of late life marital breakups as a means of attaining self fulfillment -1/5 of older adults dissolving marriages are of less than 10yrs duration, but about half are lengthy - 30yrs or more -longtime married older ppl find it harder to separate their identity from that of their former spouse and, therefore may experience a greater sense of personal failure -aging women are more likely than men to initiate divorce .... women also have more severe consequences of divorce -rarely do older ppl of both genders express regret over leaving an unhappy marriage; usually relief -14% of US older adults , more men than women, are in a dating relationship, though dating declines w age -dating sites, more selective older ppl -divorce rate is lower for older adults who remarry ; men more content than women -older ppl who enter a new relationship are increasingly choosing cohabitation -- results in more stable relationships and higher relationship quality, like remarriage -cohab in late adulthood serves as LT alternative to marriage -growing number are "living apart together"- an intimate, committed tie involving living separately in their own homes

- READING #7 (Sampselle et al., 2002)

--> Conducted focus groups with 30 women --Pre/perimenopausal = ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen --Post-menopausal = cessation of periods for at least 12 months -->Topics: --Defining major phases in a woman's life --Menopause --Differences between expected and actual experience 1. Menopause is an important developmental stage --> *False*, Menopause is not a developmental stage, rather a biological event. Midlife is a developmental stage. 2. Depression in midlife for women is linked to menopause. --> *False*, There isn't substantial evidence that menopause or the hormone changes that accompany menopause cause depression in women. Rather, the link between depression and menopause is can be caused by women viewing themselves has having poor health. 3. According to biomedical research, menopause is directly linked to many severe mental and physical health disorders. --> *False*, Menopause isn't linked to mental and physical health disorders. Declines in mental health are related to social and family factors, rather than menopause itself. 4. Women in the pre/perimenopausal groups expressed the highest anxieties about declines in mental health. --> *True* 5. There were more differences than similarities by ethnicity in the women's narratives about their midlife experiences. --> *False*, The only striking difference was that the physical changes/aging had a greater impact on Caucasian women's self esteem than African American women. 6. Coming to terms with mortality is one of the transitions that takes place during this time period. --> *True*, According to the article, the women responded that they were beginning to see that life is short. 7. Both African American and Caucasian women focused on family relationships when determining the developmental periods of a woman's life. --> *True*, All participants focused heavily on family relationships, esp. with offspring. They said having their first child was a big stage, and having the last child leave the nest was also a big stage. 8. The African American women seemed to have more positive attitudes about physical changes of aging. --> *True*, African American women felt like it was just a natural phase, while Caucasian women didn't like the physical changes associated with aging.

*CENTRAL QUESTION 1*: Do intelligence and mental fitness decline with age ? A--

-->*Understanding the Diverse Findings/Conflicting assumptions?* : A. COMPLEXITY OF ADULT INTELLIGENCE: --Need to consider the complexity of adult intelligence. Individual differences and different abilities. *Intelligence is*: 1. MULTIDIMENSIONAL: *composed of many, separate mental abilities*. (each ability has own structure and function) 2. MULTIDIRECTIONAL: *intelligence may go up or down as you age* 3. Characterized by INTERINDIVIDUAL VARIATION: *Patterns of change differ across individuals* (depends on lifestyle and genetics, some increase and some decline, depends on individual differences) 4. Characterized by INTRAINDIVIDUAL PLASTICITY: *openness to change* - *capacity for change and improvement is always there* (grandparents using computers - openness to change later in life)

*CENTRAL QUESTION 1*: Do intelligence and mental fitness decline with age ? -B

-->*Understanding the Diverse Findings/Conflicting assumptions?* : B. INFLUENCE OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: -results look diff depending on how studied -->*Spotlight on CROSS SECTIONAL designs* - *Concerns*: -used for much of early work -typically found declines --Sample test scores: N = 100 Pop -- % correct: 20 yr olds --85% 30 yr olds --85% 40 yr olds --80% 50 yr olds --75% 60 yr olds --70% 70 yr olds --60% CONCERNS: -*Can't examine cognitive changes within the individual over time* (intraindividual change) -*Susceptible to COHORT EFFECTS that create an inaccurate picture of the timing and extent of decline* (things may benefit current generation and make them better at IQ tests .. tech ..) -*Differences may be due to generational and historical differences related to when the person was born* -*LONGITUDINAL designs are often PREFERRED* (cannot track changes across lifespan w cross sectional) --Consider: -Changes in education (expectations) -Changes in work and technology (new job, today's generation has more exposure to tech) -Changes in health (increased nutrition) -(these changes benefit younger folks and increase their IQ/intelligence scores,,,)

*CENTRAL QUESTION 1*: Do intelligence and mental fitness decline with age ? -C

-->*Understanding the Diverse Findings/Conflicting assumptions?* : C. INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES: -->*Great individual differences between people in the changing nature of intellectual performance* -45-60% maintain stable level well into their 70s -10-15% show increases until their mid 70s -Roughly 30% decline by the time they reach their 60s -->*Factors that predict cognitive performance in adulthood*: 1. EDUCATION: *those w/ more education tend to retain higher level* 2. LIFESTYLE & WORK: *using intellectual skills helps retain them* 3. HEALTH STATUS: *chronic diseases may account for a good portion of age related cognitive decline* (heart disease, hearing/vision loss, high bp...) -physical fitness and exercise are beneficial!! (keeps arteries clear, helps brain)

Cosmetic surgery (plastic) and cosmetic culture (notes on general trends):

--How do Americans accept aging selves and bodies? -->Stereotypes come w old age ... women use skin creams, Spanx, contour ... men toupees ... -*external changes* -cosmetic surgery has become more common over past decades, it's expensive! -TOP *NON SURGICAL* PROCEDURES IN 2014: -*Botox* (7 mil), soft tissue filler *Men*: -*13%* of patients receiving cosmetic surgical procedures -*8%* of patients receiving cosmetic, *minimally* - *invasive procedures* --cosmetic surgery mostly seen in women, but some men! --breast augmentation - $101, 176 in 1990s --> now 2010 $330, 631; EXPENSIVE --> Film - "Let's face it" - -women feel less beautiful with wrinkles and saggy skin (sad)

4. Who are the young old? What does this term mean?

--These are people over 60 who are SO involved and interested in life -75-80% of old people at a given time are young-old --> these are people actively *engaged in family and community*, but that are retired; not frail, healthy and active --new concept --they act like middle aged adults but are retired

DESIGN of Women's Health Initiative Studies:

-A large, randomized, clinical trial sponsored by NIH (national institute of health) - launched in 1991 - 15-year period -*Study 1*: 16,608 postmenopausal women took estrogen + progesterone therapy OR placebo -*Study 2*: 10,739 women who have had a hysterectomy took estrogen alone OR a placebo --Study 1 was stopped in 2002 and Study 2 was stopped in 2004 bc risks of HRT (hormonal replacement therapy) appeared to outweigh benefits (only used for a few months .. had to stop the studies) -Currently *no longer recommended for LONG term use*! (no one is recommended to do HRT long term, discuss risks with doctor!

types of relationships that change in midlife:

-A. relationships to own children -B. marriages at mid-life -C. relationships to aging parents

Handling Chronic Diseases: A Spotlight on Arthritis

-Chronic diseases become MORE COMMON in late adulthood -*Most prevalent chronic diseases in late adulthood*: ARTHRITIS , HYPERTENSION *Arthritis*: -*Condition of inflamed, painful, stiff and sometimes swollen joints* -->*Disability due to to arthritis*: --45% of US men over 65 --50% of women 65-84 --70% of women 70+ 2 TYPES OF ARTHRITIS: 1. OSTEOARTHRITIS: *"wear-and-tear"* *arthritis* - the MOST FREQUENT type - *cartilage on the ends of bones gradually deteriorates* --most common mobility problems stem from this in elderly people 2. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: *an autoimmune response* - *leads to inflammation of connective tissue* - *involves the whole body* --> NO KNOWN CURE FOR ARTHRITIS. RESEARCH SHOWS BENEFITS OF EXERCISE!

FINDINGS of Women's Health Initiative Studies (why studies were stopped):

-Compared with placebo, after 5 years, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) resulted in INCREASED RISK --26% increase in breast cancer (38 vs 30/10,000) --41% increase in strokes (29 vs 21 per 10,000) --29% increase in heart attacks (37 vs 30) --Doubled rate of blood clots in legs and lungs -->INCREASED BENEFITS: --37% less colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer (15 vs 10) --34% fewer hip fractures (16 vs 10) -NO difference in # of deaths -->Others found HRT linked to elevated risk of mild cognitive declines and nearly double the risk of Alzheimer's among women 65+ --slightly more cardiovascular disease in men than cancer, but WAY MORE cancer than cardiovascular disease in women

8. Francis Kennedy (70) and wife Martha (73) With Francis and his wife, we see much evidence of his generativity, of his leaving things for future generations. Can you identify several examples of this?

-Francis plays with his grandchildren a lot -He still works on the family farm, who he passed down already to two generations; farm for kids and grandkids -feeling of belonging to his work and family and life -Pennsylvania legislature: he was elected and helped create a state recreation park for families ($2 million bill to start it up) ; he is contributing to future gen -he dreams on sailboats -*they both keep active despite aging* -they acknowledge that they have more problems like heart disease, and they recognize need to make wills and purchase cemetery plots in advance ; they have seen many of their friends die and they know they could go anytime

Current Findings: Wisdom Does Increase with Age (Grossman, Na, Varnum et al. (2010):

-Interviewed 247 adults - random sample from MI phone books -Asked to read and respond to 3 newspaper articles describing an intergroup conflict -Responses coded for level (1-3) of 6 wisdom - related dimensions -Older participants scored higher for EACH DIMENSION and COMPOSITE (to end composite score) --STUDY 2: -N= 200, tested again, but with *3 interpersonal conflicts* from Dear Abby Columns (in newspaper); had them read 3 conflicts and then were asked why it happened / what is the outcome ... and scored on 6 indices of wisdom -OLDER participants scored HIHGER for *4/6 dimensions and composite*; oldest group, ages 60-90, again scored highest in ALL areas EXCEPT resolution

*LECTURE 19*: AGING AND ADULT COGNITION

-Seasons of life ... retirement .. -*Cognitive growth and decline in middle and late adulthood* -dichotomy ... more to it! -intelligence and mental health decline = most COMMON assumption -wise and old vs forgetful and old .. hmmm Ex: In Japan there are 2x as many adults over 65 than are children

Retirement - decision to retire, adjustments to retirement (text pp. 511-512)

-age of retirement has risen in US -recession in 08 raised age of retirement of baby boomers -most baby boomers say they wanna work longer, with 1/3 indicating that devoting some time to work is important for a happy retirement -distinction between work and retirement is blurred : nearly 40% of US adults ages 65-69 and nearly 20% of those in their 70s are still working in come capacity -retirement process is highly variable: may include planning period, decision itself, other actions and continuous adjustment -majority of US older adults w career jobs retire gradually by cutting down hours and many take bridge jobs - new part or full time jobs of shorter duration - to bridge transition from work to retirement -15% leave their jobs but return -retirement is a dynamic process -affordability of retirement is usually the first consideration in the decision to retire -bridge employment has favorable impact on well being only when work is similar to old career -preserving their interests and roles is key to retirement -people in good health and pleasent work environment are likely to keep working -indivs in high earning jobs usually retire later than blue collar or clerical -ppl in declining health in routine work opt for retirement sooner -most nations have good SS benefits, US is an exception ; many retirees experience lower living standard when retire (pension) -indiv prefs shape retirement decisions but older adults opps and limitations affect choices too! -retirement involves giving up roles -- stressful process that contributes to declines in physical and mental health -contemporary elderly view retirement as a time of opportunity and growth -active and socially involved = major determinants of retirement satisfaction -workplace factors predict stress following retirement -sense of personal control over life events is strongly linked to retirement satisfaction -well educated ppl w complex jobs usually adjust favorable -social support reduces stress -although network size shrinks, quality of relationships remains stable -marital happiness fosters favorable retirement transition , more time for companionship -marital dissat = interferes w retirement

Nature of self-concept, self-acceptance, and personal control (vs. dependency) (lecture, and text p. 494)

-more secure -multifaceted self concepts allow for self acceptance -- key feature of integrity -more + than - self evaluations among German elderly -+, multifaceted self definitions predicted psych well being -hoped for selves -physical health is even more prominent than it was in midlife ; possible selves reorganize well into old age -future expectations become more concrete and modest w age, and older adults usually take steps to attain their goals -engaging in hope related activities, is associated with gains in life satisfaction and with longer life -older adults gain modestly in agreeableness into their 70s, becoming more generous -agreeableness seems to characterize healthy aging adults who are resilient, accentuating the +, despite life's imperfections -older adults show age related dips in extroversion, as ppl become more selective about relationships -older ppl tend to decline in openness to experience -sustained intellectual engagement seemed to induce older adults to view themselves as more open ; openness in turn predicts pursuit of intellectual stimulation , thereby contributing to enhanced cognitive functioning -another late life development is greater acceptance of change -most aging adults are resilient and bounce back in the face of adversity

Nature and types of arthritis (text p. 472 and lecture)

-arthritis - stiff/swollen joints- becomes more common in late adulthood -occurs in several forms: --*Osteoarthritis*: the most common type , involves deteriorating cartilage on the ends of bones of frequently used joints, "wear and tear" "degenerative joint disease" -years of use matter , appears 40s and 50s -almost all older adults show some osteo in x rays -about 45% US men over 65 have been diagnosed, 20% of whom are disabled -women 65 and older, disease is higher, at 55% w disability rate at 25% -most common cause of surgical hip and knew replacements in elderly -limited to certain joints --*Rheumatoid Arthritis*: involves whole body. An autoimmune response leads to inflammation of connective tissue, particularly the membranes that line the joints , resulting in overall aching, inflammation, and stiffness. Tissue in the cartilage tends to grow, damaging surrounding ligaments, muscles and bones . The result is deformed joints and often serious loss of mobility -other organs like heart and lungs can be affected -about .5 to 1 % of world older adults have it, more often in women than men -increases after age 60 -strong hereditary contribution, but environment affects severity too -cig smoking is only confirmed lifestyle influence -early treatment with anti inflammatory meds helps slow progression -resting during flares -regular aerobic exercises and strength training lessen pain and improve physical functioning -with proper analgesic meds, joints protection, lifestyle changes, and surgery to replace badly damaged hip or knee joints, many ppl with either form of the illness lead long, productive lives

factors that promote psychological well-being at mid-life (text p. 441)

-biological, psychological, and social forces are involved and their effects are interwoven similar to lifespan perspective GOOD HEALTH AND EXERCISE -engaging in regular exercise is more strongly associated with self rated health and a positive outlook in older than in younger adults -physical activity enhances self efficacy and effective stress management -sustained moderate - intensity physical activity is linked to better executive function , more so in middle age than early adulthood -- improved executive function may contribute to mid lifers' self efficacy and self regulation too SENSE OF CONTROL AND PERSONAL LIFE INVESTMENT -middle aged adults who report high sense of control over lives also report more favorable psychological well being -sense of control contributes further to self efficacy and also predicts use of more effective coping strategies -personal life investment also adds to mental health and life satisfaction -According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a vital wellspring of happiness is FLOW - the psychological state of being so engrossed in a demanding, meaningful, activity that one loses all sense of time and self-awareness ; flow is the height of enjoyment -the more pppl experience flow, the more they judge their lives to be gratifying; flow depends on perseverance and skill at complex endeavors that offer potential for growth -- these qualities are well developed in middle adulthood CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS AND A GOOD MARRIAGE -supportive friendships improve mental health by promoting + emotions and protecting against stress -a good marriage boost psychological well being even more -the role of marriage in mental health increases w age, becoming a powerful predictor by late midlife -US middle aged adults in cohabiting relationships do not necessarily benefit similarly ; opposite in w Europe -marriage changes peoples' behavior in ways that make them better off ; income linked to higher well being 2 ppl save more together -sexual satisfaction predicts mental health and married couples have more satisfying sex lives than singles MASTERY OF MULTIPLE ROLES -success in handling multiple roles is lined to psychological well being -in MIDUS survey, as role involvement increased both men and women reported greater environmental mastery, more rewarding social relationships, heightened sense of purpose in life, and more pos emotions -adults who occupied multiple roles and who also reported high control, scored especially high in well being - an outcome that was stronger for less educated adults -control is beneficial for low educated -community volunteering in latter part of midlife contributes uniquely to psychological well being -- strengthens self efficacy, generatively, and altruism

6. Think about our discussion of long-term marriages from lecture. What do you see as factors that have helped Lymon sustain his marriage for so long?

-has been married for 50, with 4 children -share a *love of music* and don't get tired of each other -share a *love of nature* and outdoor passions like hiking and rock climbing -gift of healthy life has given Lyman more time for understanding the nature of life -they take time to do things they love -find things you love in the other person --aging should open up options, should retain a sense of self and belonging to society

5. Lymon Spitzer - scientist Lymon is shown as example of the young-old. What evidence did you see of this? What kind of activities was he doing? What can you say about his lifestyle?

-he was trying to invent a telescope and contribute to future generations -helped design the Hubble telescope for NASA -has no computer and doesn't know how to use it, BUT he is considering and wanting to learn, also is considering taking up an instrument as his kids recommended (wants to modernize) -he has always dreamt big, fiction and science enthusiast interested in space ... ideas of underground tubes and cars -he spent a lot of time innovating and creating new ideas and tech -in late adulthood he is still in the process, not ready to end his story just yet -rides bike and stays active -family life = satisfaction to him -he is searching for the understanding in life -wants to know how the universe started; space telescope

Gender and the double standard of aging (lecture & text p. 424)

-negative stereotypes of aging are more likely to be applied to women than to men --> yielding a double standard! -though many women say they have "hit their stride" and feel confident in midlife, people often rate them as less attractive and as having more negative personality characteristics than middle aged men -the ideal of a sexually attractive woman is the heart of the double standard of aging -the end of a woman's capacity to bear children contributes to negative judgements of physical appearance , especially by men -- societal forces exaggerate this view -ex: middle aged adults in media and ads are often male execs, fathers and grandfathers - handsome, competence ... while cosmetic products and medical treatments offered to women to hide signs of aging may induce many to feel ashamed of their age and appearance -at one time in history this double standard may have been adaptive ... today it has become IRRELEVANT as many couples limit child bearing and devote more time to career and leisure -models of older women in the media whose days are full of intimacy and accomplishment help create a new cultural vision of women growing older

3. Tom and Vivian - retired social worker and post office worker Retirement for some is a time to give something back, to volunteer. What kind of volunteer activities do you see Tom and Vivian engaging in?

-they buy their dream house after retiring -Tom brings messages of Christ and love to local inmates in prison; tells them that someone loves them and cares for them -Vivian volunteers at a hospital to care for critical patients and comfort them by making their beds, back rub, spa etc..

7. Milton (retired lawyer, 78) and wife Rowena (retired bookkeeper) Milton and Rowena are examples of leisure life in a retirement community. What do they seem to appreciate most about their leisure lifestyle?

-they have their own time; wife, self, love, and own problems -- don't have to worry about other peoples' problems, only have to worry about yourself; time for self -can play tennis (health - exercise) -*don't have to worry about work pressure*; more freedom, less stress -"out of the rat race" -time w/ grandchildren -less daily stress with work worries = satisfaction -can touch and feel and love each other more, affectionate

Q2 ... THE UPSIDE:

1. EXPERTISE -Expertise involves having an extensive, highly organized knowledge base in a particular domain - used to support a high level of performance -Expertise compensates for cognitive decline. Expertise reaches HEIGHT IN MIDLIFE (expert chess players / musicians) -Expert skills are often more AUTOMATIC -Expert knowledge often includes RAPID RECOGNITION of patterns or strategies -Experts have better strategies and shortcuts to problem solving 2. WISDOM (emotional maturity) -Typically believed to reach capacity in old age -DEFINED AS *expert knowledge that focuses on the pragmatics of life and involves judgement and advice on crucial life issues* ----Is it all about age? RESEARCH EVIDENCE- -*Baltes* questioned adults 20-89 -found age is NO GUARANTEE for wisdom (wisest decisions found across ALL age groups) -type of life experience makes a difference (leadership positions, HR, changing / adversing experiences, working w others..) --PEEP TEXTBOOK FOR MORE ON BALTES! *Concerns about these (Baltes) findings, what others say*: --Highly selected non representative sample --Most well educated (not different levels of education included) --Asked to comment on very brief descriptions of personal problems with little contextual information

Two Main types of intelligence: Fluid & Crystallized

1. FLUID INTELLIGENCE: -->*Depends on basic information processing skills*: -analytical speed -working memory -detecting relationships among stimuli -->*NOT subject-specific* (more about how FAST you process info; skills tested via timed puzzles; how fast you can put it together via IQ tests. -- Skills part of fluid intelligence typically NOT taught in school!) -->*Believed to be influenced more by CONDITIONS in BRAIN* 2. CRYTALLIZED INTELLIGENCE: -->*Skills that depend on*: -accumulated knowledge and experience -good judgement -mastery of social conventions -->*Abilities valued by the individual's culture* -use these skills daily -"What word is associated with bath tubs, prizes, and wedding?" --> ring! -verbal skills on IQ tests, analogies, logical reasoning -accumulation of facts, dates, formulas based on knowledge from your culture TYPICAL CHANGES OVER TIME: -->*Crystallized IMPROVES or stabilizes with AGE* -->*Fluid starts to DECLINE in late 20s or early 30s* -as age increases intelligence performance slowly levels off.. ?

Seven changes in self-concept and personality; term: possible selves

7 CHANGES IN SELF-CONCEPT AND PERSONALITY AT MID-LIFE: 1. *Rise in introspection* -people more contemplative and better in touch with selves 2. *Changes in POSSIBLE SELVES* = *future-oriented representations of what one hopes to become and is afraid of becoming* --now fewer, more modest, more concrete 3. *Increase in self-acceptance* - *less self-critical* -higher self esteem at this age than younger ages, 20s and 30s, -acknowledge flaws and embrace 4. *Increase in autonomy* -independence and commitment to personal values -do what is best for me and my family now, don't worry about others 5. *Increase in sense of environmental mastery* -capable of managing a complex array of tasks easily and effectively ... more multitasking -take on more responsibility and tasks, you get better at it as you get older 6. *Increase in effective coping strategies* -knowing how to pick battles and strategies to deal with challenges, see the + side 7. *Increase in androgyny* -in both sexes -increase masculine traits in women - assertive -increase feminine traits in men - nurturing -relatively universal trends across cultures and income levels

*CENTRAL QUESTION 2*: What changes ? -A -so what does change then?

A. CHANGES IN SPEED OF PROCESSING -->*Specific Changes*: 1. Speed at which you process information DECLINES as age increases 2. SLOWER reaction times, SLOWER perceptual processing 3. SLOWER cognitive processing in general -->Explanations. Why might this happen? -Older adults take longer to decide if they need to respond -Slowing of brain's communication processes - disagreement about exact biological causes. (neural breaks in brain?) --limits how much information we can take in --limits the ability to sequentially analyze information (thinking may be slower / can't take in as much info)

Allen & Olsen (2001) study

ALLEN & OLSON (2001): -Studied 415 African American couples -Classified based on 10 different domains (questionnaires) -Produced *5 types of couples* - *4 MATCHED early model* -->*Found "Traditional Couple"* *INSTEAD of passive-congenial* --traditional couple = moderate overall satisfaction, poor sex life, poor communication skills - strong mutual religious orientation -->*WHY might this change exist?* (sample, diversity, ... but much of study was SIMILAR)

*CENTRAL QUESTION 2*: What changes? -B

B. LIMITATIONS IN WORKING MEMORY --> *Working Memory* = *the processing component through which current, conscious mental activity occurs* -From the 20s into 60s, amount of info ppl can retain in working memory DECLINES -Attention is more disorganized -DECLINE in ability to sustain 2 tasks at once (walking AND memorizing - film, harder to multitask!) -Changes lead to difficulties with speech and conversations: --age related losses in retrieving words from long term memory (pause more to recall word) --planning what to say and how to say it becomes harder -*Declines depend on the TYPE OF MEMORY* - e.g., *more decline with recall versus recognition* --recall = top of your head --recognition = sees options, this ability to choose from options does not decline much

Physical changes: cardiovascular & respiratory systems, immune system, sleep (text pp. 465-466) - Overcoming stereotypes of aging (p. 468)

CARDIOVASCULAR AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS -heart muscle more rigid, some cells die others enlarge, leading walls of left ventricle to thicken -artery walls stiffen and accumulate plaque - cholesterol and fats -heart muscle becomes less responsive to signals from pacemakers -heart pumps w less force, max heart rate decreases, blood flow slows ; sufficient oxygen may not be delivered to body tissues during physical activity -changes in respiratory system compounds effects of reduced oxygenation -lung tissue loses elasticity and vital capacity (amount of air that can be forced in and out) is reduced by half between 25 and 80 -lungs fill and empty less efficiently: blood gives off less carbon dioxide bc absorbs less oxygen -older pals increase breathing more while exercising IMMUNE SYSTEM -T cells become less in # and less effective -immune system is more likely to malfunction by turning against normal body tissues in an *autoimmune response* -less competent immune system reduces effectiveness of vaccines, and increases risk of illness - infectious diseases like flu, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and various autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes -most adults experience some loss in immune system -high T cell activity predict better physical functioning and survival over years in very old ppl -with age, autonomic NS releases higher levels of stress hormones into blood, as immune response declines, stress induced susceptibility to infection rises dramatically -healthy diet and exercise help protect immune response in old age, where as obesity aggravates th age related decline SLEEP -older adults require about as much sleep as younger adults - around 7 hrs per night ' -as ppl age , they have more difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and sleeping deeply (less time in NREM) -insomnia affects half of older adults -earlier bedtimes and earlier mornings -changes in brain structures controlling sleep and higher levels of stress hormones in the bloodstream, have an alerting effect on CNS - believed to be responsible -ways to foster restful sleep : consistent bedtime and wakeup time, exercise regularly, using the bedroom only for sleep -older adults receive more prescription sedatives for sleep complaints than do people under age 60 -used briefly, these drugs can help relieve temporary insomnia , but long term medication can make matters worse by inducing rebound insomnia after drug is discontinued OVERCOMING STEREOTYPES OF AGING -operate automatically without awareness -as older ppl encounter negative massages about aging, they experience stereotype threat -- results in diminished performance on tasks related to the stereotype -negatie stereos - more stress -pos stereos - less stress -adults w less education more susceptible -physical aging can be viewed w optimism or pessimism

Climacteric; changes in women's reproductive system and nature of perimenopause

CHANGES IN REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONING: --Prominent *internal changes* *Definition of CLIMACTERIC*: *mid-life transition in which fertility declines* (Females lose reproductive abilities and males quantity of sperm declines; happens over a 10 year period) NATURE OF CLIMACTERIC -*Gradual changes for women over a 10 year period* = *PERIMENOPAUSE* --Production of *estrogen DROPS* --*Cycles SHORTEN and become more IRREGULAR* -*Concludes with MENOPAUSE*

Demographics of older adults from lecture on aging cognition - 3 groupings of adults over 65

DEMOGRAPHICS OF OLDER ADULTS: -*Number of people 65 and older in US has RISEN tremendously* --1900: 4.1% of population was 65+ --Currently 15% of population is 65+ --> expected to increase to 20% by 2030? -*Trend likely to INCREASE* -*Second fastest growing segment of US population is adults 85 & older* -*Trend found in INDUSTRIALIZED nations around the world* -Consequently, now draw *distinctions within this age group*: 3 GROUPINGS OF ADULTS OVER 65 -- -->Young-Old (65 to 74) -->Old-Old (75 to 84) -->Oldest Old (85 and older)

Erikson's psychosocial conflict of generativity vs. stagnation - 4 diff. ways generativity is expressed

ERIKSON'S VIEW OF MIDDLE ADULTHOOD: -"confidence and clarity at age 50" ... quote from Fifty Celebrates Fifty -middle adulthood = most satisfying period for adults is in 40-65, a time of maximum productivity and rewards ; financially stable -->*Psychosocial Conflict*: *GENERATIVITY VS STAGNATION* - *Generativity* = *involves reaching out to others in ways that give to and guide the next generation* --> *Nature of Generativity*: - *Making a lasting contribution* - *less "Selfish" stage* (contributing to the future generations) --> *People may express generativity in many ways*: 1. BIOLOGICAL GENERATIVITY: *conceive and give birth* (have kids) 2. PARENTAL GENERATIVITY: *nurturing children* (your own kids, grandchildren, etc...) 3. WORK GENERATIVITY: *passing on skills; mentoring adults* (coaching, mentoring other adults at work) 4. CULTURAL GENERATIVITY: *e.g., *creative output , politics* --Examples: -Oprah opening a girls school -Matt Damon writing a book -starting foundations and giving money to charities --after age 40, adults are found to be more politically involved and tend to donate more money to generations to come; wanna give back -->*Representations of generativity vs stagnation*: -*Highly generative people tend to be psychologically fulfilled and healthy* (less stress and anxiety, higher life satisfaction) --QUOTATIONS: -Susan Sarandon, actress -Judy Gehrke, education fundraiser -Sue Hendrickson, archaeologist -Cathy Rigby, gymnast and actress -->*NEGATIVE outcome is STAGNATION or SELF ABSORPTION*: --preoccupied with themselves --lack of involvement or concern for young people or future generations

Physical changes - vision, hearing, weight/body dimensions

GENERAL PHYSICAL CHANGES IN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD: *VISION*- -*Accommodation* of the eye (ability to focus and maintain an image on the retina) experiences a sharp DECLINE between ages *40 and 59* -->Results from *weakening of muscle and thickening of the lens* (at age 60 it's 1/6 the thickness that it was at age 20) -->Leads to *difficulty viewing close objects and reading small or fine print* (need glasses, elderly get more *farsighted* - harder to see up close) -*Size of pupil shrinks and lens yellows* -->*Limits ability to see in dim light* -->*Limits color discrimination* (especially at the end of the spectrum, blue v black) -*REDUCED blood supply may decrease size of visual field and increase eye's blind spot* (people as they get older feel less comfortable driving at night) *HEARING*: -An estimated *14% of American adults between 45 and 64 have a HEARING LOSS* -HEREDITY *and* AGE RELATED DECLINES -*Decline typically starts with a loss at HIGH frequencies* (starts at age 50) -*Men's hearing DECLINES EARLIER and at a FASTER rate than women's* (gender diff) WEIGHT & BODY DIMENSIONS: -*Middle-Age Spread*: *slowed metabolism - INCREASE in body FAT and gradual LOSS of LEAN body mass* (muscle and bones) --many aged 35-50 do *buttock lifts, breast, and lipo, to reduce the spread* ... younger people do lipo and rhino plasticity (botox and nose jobs), older do vaginal rejuvenation and face lifts and wrinkle botox etc... --size of ABDOMEN increases 7-14% in middle adulthood ; men get upper arm fat and women get waist fat -*Gradual LOSS in BONE MASS & DENSITY - makes bones weaker*, *more common in WOMEN than men* (brittle bones, harder to recover from broken bones), starts at 40s --accelerates into 50s -*Disks in spinal columns move closer together* - *shrinkage* (lose 1 to 1.5 inches per decade in height, 5'10" --> 5'9" over a decade etc...)

General health status during middle adulthood - 2 main health nemeses: cancer, cardiovascular disease; leading causes of death

HEALTH STATUS DURING MIDDLE ADULTHOOD: --> *85% rate health as good or excellent* (ppl. in middle age worry about health more now, so they stay active = good for health) --> 2 MAIN HEALTH NEMESES: 1. *CANCER* -*cancer and cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death in middle age* -death rate due to cancer multiplies tenfold from early to middle adulthood - lung cancer (deaths) -->Women: 1 is breast and 2 is lung -->Men: 1 is prostrate and 2 is lung --(most common cancers^^) -60% of people with cancer are "cured" (disease free for 5 or more years) -breast has a higher survival rate; breast and prostrate -lower survival rates - lung and pancreatic 2. *CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE* -approx. 25% of deaths in Americans 45-64 -->*Silent Killer*: signs often undetected ... 3 commons signs - --*high blood pressure* --*high blood cholesterol* --*atherosclerosis* (build up of plaque in coronary arteries) -Symptoms: --*heart attack*- blockage of normal blood to areas of the heart --*angina pectoris*- feels like indigestion or chest pain, heart is oxygen deprived/oxygen cut off to heart --*arrhythmia*- irregular heart beat, may need pacemaker -50& of heart attack victims die right away and another 15% in the hospital .. severe!

How stress affects health; roles of hostility & anger; Type A behavior pattern; stress management; hardiness (text pp. 421-424)

HOSTILITY AND ANGER- --> *Type A Behavior Pattern*: extreme competitiveness, ambition, impatience, hostility, angry outbursts, and sense of eagerness, hurriedness, and time pressure -one study found that type As are more than twice as likely as Type Bs (more relaxed) to develop heart disease -type a is actually a mixture of behaviors, only one or two affect health -Current evidence pinpoints hostility as a "Toxic" ingredient of type A -EXPRESSED Hostility - angry outbursts; rude, disagreeable behavior; critical and condensing nonverbal cues during social interaction, including glares; and expressions of contempt and disgust --> this hostility predicts greater cardiovascular arousal, coronary artery plaque buildup, and heart disease -finnish study; type a behavior intensified from adolescence into the mid 30s followed by only a slight decline into the mid forties ; as the type A pattern becomes clearly evident, age related risk of heart disease RISES -repeatedly suppressing anger and bottling up hostility is associated with high bp and heart disease -- better alt is to develop effective ways to handle stress and conflict -53- high bp, trouble sleeping, back pain = typical for type A, Dottie? STRESS MANAGEMENT- -in middle adulthood stress management can limit the age related rise in illness and, when disease strikes, reduce its severity -even when stressors cannot be eliminated ppl can change how they handle them and view others, focus on problems u can control and understand what others are going through --*Two general strategies for coping with stress*: 1. Problem centered coping - you appraise the situation as changeable 2. Emotion centered coping - internal, private, and aimed at controlling distress when little can be done about a situation --Adults who effectively reduce stress move flexibly between problem centered and emotion centered techniques , depending on the situation -their approach is deliberate, thoughtful, and respectful of both themselves and others -problem centered and emotion centered coping facilitate each other despite different immediate goals -effective problem focused coping reduces emotional distress while effective emotion focused coping helps people face problems more calmly and thus generate better solutions -ineffective coping is largely emotion focused and self blaming, impulsive or escapist -ppl tend to cope with stress MORE effectively as they move from early to middle a -- they become more realistic about their ability to change situations and more skilled at anticipating stressful events and preparing to manage them -when middle aged adults surmount a highly stressful experience they often report lasting personal benefits as they look back w amazement at what they were able to accomplish under extremely trying conditions -interpreting trauma as growth promoting is related to more effective coping with current stressors and with increased physical and mental health years later --managing intense stress can serve as a context for positive development --EXERCISE -regular exercise equips adults to handle stress more effectively and reduces risk of many diseases -longitudinal studies -- 660,000 European and US adults 21-98 were asked about how much time they typically devote to various leisure time physical activities each week --the greater their weekly energy expenditure through physical activity pursuits, the lower their chances of dying during the following 14years --compared with no activity, any amount of exercise had longevity benefits, even after other vars controlled -more than HALF of us middle aged adults are sedentary , among those that are active, fewer than 18% engage in the nationally recommended levels of leisure time physical activity and resistance exercises -an important outcome of starting an exercise program is that sedentary adults gain in *self efficacy* which further promotes physical activity -workplace based programs that offer rewards for goals or web/mobile phone based interventions with tools for goal setting and feedback progress -- good at increasing middle adults physical activity , and attractive and safe exercise equipment -activity levels DECLINE sharply with SES HARDINESS- = *a set of three personal qualities together - control, commitment, and challenge -- that make an individual likely to cope adaptively with stress brought on by the inevitable changes of life* --stressors --> opportunities for resilience -high hardy individuals are likely to use active, problem-centered coping strategies in situations they can control -low hardy ppl more often use emotion based and avoidant coping strategies -many factors act as stress resistant resources -- heredity, diet, exercise, social support, and coping strategies ... research on hardiness suggests an additional ingredient = a generally optimistic, determined, zestful approach to life -modest level of adversity can actually be life enriching -- promotes hardiness

-->SO .. Do intelligence and mental fitness decline with age?

IT DEPENDS

limitations of working memory- effects of aging on speech and conservations (text p. 482)

LANGUAGE PROCESSING -language and memory skills are closely related -like implicit memory, language comprehension. changes little in late life as long as conversational partners do not speak too quickly and older adults are given enough time to process written text accurately -older readers make a variety of adjustments to ensure comprehension , such as devoting more processing time to new concepts than younger readers do, pausing more often to integrate information ,and making good use of story organization to help them recall both main ideas and details -those who have invested more time in reading throughout life display faster and more accurate reading comprehension -TWO ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE PRODUCTION SHOW AGE RELATED LOSSES: 1. retrieving words from long term memory : -more older people report being in a tip of the tongue state - know words but can't produce them -speech contains more pronouns and unclear references, can't find right words 2. planning what to say and how to say it in everyday conversation is harder in late adulthood: -more hesitations, false starts, word repetition and sentence fragments as they aged -statements less grammatically complex and less organized -older adults develop compensatory techniques for their language production problems ; ex: speak slower, use more sentences but shorter ones -as old ppl monitor their word retrieval failures and try hard to overcome them, they more often resolve tip-of-the tongue states than younger people do -*most aspects of language production are unaffected by aging* -aging adults are advantaged in narrative competence -listeners prefer older adults stories than younger people

Levinson's midlife transition - 4 developmental tasks of middle adulthood

LEVINSON'S TRANSITION TO MIDDLE ADULTHOOD: --Years 40-45 -->*Nature of transition*: -Transition is a *time of turmoil and confusion* - work to REEVALUATE life - what do I really want? (time of upheaval, work through for opposing tasks to figure out what you want) -->*Levinson believed 4 developmental tasks must be confronted*: (4 tasks reconcile opposing tendencies within the self) 1. YOUNG-OLD: *seek new ways of being both* -find a way to deal with aging; body aging but mind is still young 2. DESTRUCTIVE-CREATION: *acknowledge past destructiveness; try to create products of value* -constructive things for society ... avg donor = age 50 -ppl wanna be more + and create a legacy to enhance human welfare, charities ... 3. MASCULINITY-FEMININITY: *come to terms with both parts of self* -dichotomy -men become caring -women become autonomous 4. ENGAGEMENT-SEPERATENESS: *balance between engagement with external world and separateness* -men pull back from work, focus on self -women pull away from caring for kids, and be political / take on new roles -->Aspects of successful transitions: -Success of transition depends on *how effectively you REDUCE these polarities and ACCEPT each of them as an integral part of your being*

Mid-life crisis - definition, popular view vs. current evidence (e.g., Valliant, Chiriboga, MIDUS)

MID-LIFE CRISIS: MYTH OR REALITY? -->Definition of *MID-LIFE CRISIS* = *a state of physical and psychological distress that arises when developmental tasks threaten to overwhelm a person's internal and external resources* --80% of Levinson's men went through a midlife crisis (transitions had a lot of internal turmoil) --many examples in popular mind/media (women - plastic surgery, men- buy nice car, have affair w younger woman) -->*Seasons of Life"* film: not everyone has to have a midlife crisis! *Current Research Evidence*: -*LITTLE evidence that 40s is a period of EXCEPTIONAL stress* (most longitudinal studies found NO evidence, can be planned for + changes) -Others found FEW crises in their samples: -->*MIDUS data*: 25% said they experienced midlife crisis - BUT definitions and ages varied -->*VALLIANT* (1977): Harvard graduates - he saw few examples of midlife crisis -->*CHIRIBOGA* (1989): Random samples - 2.5% had midlife crisis , suicide rates declines in midlife --> *CRISIS IS NOT A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE* (radical changes are the exceptions NOT rules)

TEXT-marriage & divorce at mid-life (443-444); term: feminization of poverty

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE -middle aged households are well off compared to other age groups -americans between 45 - 54 have the highest average annual income and contemporary middle aged adults - more of whom have college degrees and live in dual earner families - are financially better off than previous midlife generations -increased education and fin security ... more reevaluation of marriage and problems / love -lesbian partners use more effective communication styles compared to other couples -across heterosexual and gay, physical affection, low conflict, and sense of fairness predicted a deeper sense of psychological intimacy -divorce has increasingly become a route to resolving an unsatisfactory marriage at midlife -overall US divorce rate has declined over past 2 decades, yet the divorce rate of US adults ages 50 and older has doubled -midlife divorce adjusts more easily than younger -more women than men report happiness gains after divorce ; emotional relief when problems can't be solved -for a lot of women, marital break ups severely reduce standard of living --In midlife and earlier, divorce contributes to the *Feminization of Poverty* = a trend in which women who support themselves or their families have become the majority of the adult population living in poverty, regardless of age and ethnic group -gender gap in poverty of western nations has declined, but bc of weaker US policy the gender gap in poverty remains higher in US than others -longitudinal evidence reveals middle aged women who weather divorce successfully tend to become more tolerant, comfortable w uncertainty, nonconforming, snd self reliant in personality - factors believed to be fostered by divorce forced independence -both men and women place greater value on equal friendship and less on passionate love -- when they reevaluate what is imp for a healthy relationship -less is known about long term adjustment for middle aged men after divorce, bc most enter new relationships and remarry soon after

Menopause - definition, timing, hormonal changes and their physical consequences, physical symptoms, psychological impact (3 reasons it may not be as traumatic as typically believed)

MENOPAUSE = *the cessation of menstruation and of reproductive capacity* -- *no period for 12 consecutive months* --!!!*Climacteric CONCLUDES with menopause*!!! TIMING OF MENOPAUSE: -*Typically between 50 and 55*; *50 or 51 is average* (can go to 80 tho...) -*Genetics are a key factor in timing*; *SMOKING can cause people to enter menopause EARLIER* (lifestyle habits) -*NOT affected by age of first period or use of birth control pills* PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MENOPAUSE: PHYSICAL IMPACT: --*Physiological changes brought on by REDUCTION in female sex hormones* ... losing hormones leads to - -*DECREASED elasticity of skin* (dryer, more prone to wrinkle) -*Risk of heart disease INCREASES* (estrogen slows plaque accumulation, now less estrogen = more risk) -*Bones may LOSE more calcium* - *risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures* TYPICAL PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: -*Hot flash* (sudden heat sensation from within body) -*Profuse sweating and "night sweat"* --OTHER CHANGES: *weight gain, changes in sexual response, headaches* (fatigue pain in joints w symptoms of menopause). *Extent and duration of symptoms varies extensively across women* (some get it for years, worse @ transition of menopause!) HANDLING THE SYMPTOMS: ISSUES CONCERNING HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT): -->TWO TYPES of therapy: -1. *Estrogen only* - *have had a HYSTERECTOMY* (no uterus) -2. *Estrogen PLUS Progesterone* - *in tact uterus* --*Believed to REDUCE risks of heart disease and osteoporosis and relieve some symptoms* -->*Highly used*: *45% of US women born between 1897 and 1950 used for at least 1 month* --*Early evidence seemed to support these benefits* - e.g., hormone regimes associated with REDUCED "bad" LDL cholesterol and INCREASED "good" HDL cholesterol PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MENOPAUSE: --Notion that menopause is a developmental crisis for every woman is WRONG. Why not? -->*may not mark a major discontinuity* -->*physical symptoms often reported as "minor"* -->*Experience with menopause DOES NOT have to be negative* --Ex: study of 2,500 Massachusetts women aged 45-55; 75% were either releived or had neutral feelings -Perspective may depend on personal and cultural attitudes and expectations -Stress may be due to role changes -Emergence to a new freedom; no more birth control or periods

EXAMPLE OF LONGITUDINAL FORMAT: *The Seattle Longitudinal Study* --

METHOD: -*Cohort sequential design* (different people added at points in the study, different cohorts tested) -Participants aged 22-70 were tested on 5 mental abilities: -->verbal ability -->spatial reasoning -->inductive reasoning -->numeric ability -->verbal memory -Also assessed perceptual speed (how fast can you respond to stimuli) -Started in 1956 - tested 7yr intervals with new samples added each time (1956, 1963...) - Yielded 5,000+ participants RESULTS: -Performance peaks in middle adulthood for 4 of 6 abilities, then decreases very gradually -So, intellectual declines start much later -Only PERCEPTUAL SPEED showed STEADY DECLINE from the 20s!! --COHORT EFFECTS - RESULTS: -Found cohort effects on certain abilities (ppl got better and better w generations) -Steady decline seen with cross sectional data is an ILLUSION -Problems with longitudinal designs : EXPENSIVE, SELECTIVE DROPOUTS (ones not doing well may leave and drop out)

What is middle age/middle adulthood? Current and historical perspectives:

MIDDLE AGE / MIDDLE ADULTHOOD PERIOD: -ages *40-65* -*health issues become more salient* (you think about chronic diseases / cognition changes more, cancer, diabetes...) -*COMMAND GENERATION*: period where people are at the peak of power and productivity, most capable/powerful in their life and confident in job position --*historically, a relatively NEW phenomenon* Avg. life expectancy- --> *1900*: *47 years* (approx. 3% of population lived past 65...) --> *2004*: *77.9 years* (expectancy went up by 30 years) --INCREASE in lifespan / average living age expectancy !!! -41% say that middle age is when you worry about health care, 42% when your last kids moves out, and other percentage say middle age happens when you don't know the music on the radio

TEXT (p. 515, 9 characteristics of successful aging ) -

Many ways that older people realize their goals:; 1. optimism and sense of self efficacy in improving health and physical functioning 2. selective optimization with compensation to make the most of limited physical energies and cognitive resources 3. strengthening of self concept, which promotes self acceptance and pursuit of hoped for possible selves 4. enhanced emotional self regulation and emotional positivity which support meaningful, rewarding social ties 5. acceptance of change, which contributes to effective coping and life satisfaction 6. a mature sense of spirituality and faith, permitting anticipation of death with calm composure 7. personal control over domains of dependency and independence , enabling investment in self chosen, highly valued activities 8. high quality relationships which offer pleasurable companionship and social support 9. personally meaningful leisure and volunteer pursuits which contribute to physical , cognitive , and social well being -older adults need well funded SS plans, good health care, safe housing, and diverse social services -all these changes involve recognizing, supporting, and enhancing the contributions that older adults make to society ; a nation that takes care of its aging citizens maximizes optimal aging for future gens

11. Final two vignettes: Minna Citron (artist, 90) George Nakashima - master wood carver and wife Marion With the final two vignettes, you see two individuals who seem to be reflecting back on their lives, acknowledging its challenges and lessons. You see a sense of life review in their stories. What are some of the more notable challenges and life transitions that they reveal?

Minna: -left her husband and went to art school; unhappy marriage, left wealthy man to explore world and go to art school for a career without money -she likes new friends, riches of life, looking back her husband was a "playmate" not a committed man, and she doesn't worry about dying George: -he was sent to an interment camp during Japan bombing in WW2 bc he was asian -learned wood carving skills and carpentry there, American sponsorship -married wife and continued to do wood work ; says wood has a soul; thinks children will carry on wood tradition -give second life to trees -no regrets, sure may have done things diff in life, but no regrets

Peck's three distinct tasks to accomplish to develop integrity

PECK'S TASKS FOR DEVELOPING INTEGRITY: (how to get to integrity) --he outlined 3 specific tasks to achieve ego integrity 1. EGO DIFFERENTIATION VS. WORK-ROLE PREOCCUPATION: -*Redefining one's worth in terms of something other than work roles*. (i.e. family, finding meaning in other ways than just work....) 2. EGO TRANSCENDENCE VS. EGO PREOCCUPATION: -*Assessing and realizing one's contributions to the future* (what have you left behind for others?) 3. BODY TRANSCENDENCE VS. BODY PREOCCUPATION: -*Coping with declining physical well being* (not giving up ; recognizing physical limitations and transcending them) -important for older adults who have chronic diseases / impairments

Erikson's conflict of ego integrity vs. despair; life review

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT IN LATE ADULTHOOD: ERIKSON'S THEORY -->*Ego Integrity versus Despair*: -Involves *coming to terms with one's life* -->*LIFE REVIEW* = *a form of reminiscence whose goal is to achieve greater self understanding* --(adult reconsiders past experiences, comes to terms with life events, looks back on life story with meaning; you start to accept that things are ending if you achieve integrity; "I accept what I did that was wrong AND right") --evaluating and REINTERPRETING experiences --may be a means to PREPARE FOR DEATH (reduces fears, increased life satisfaction, more + feelings, less depression ... ppl who did a life review) --CONNECTION between engaging in life review and achieving integrity -->*Positive Outcome*: EGO INTEGRITY - -*With integrity, you feel whole, complete, and satisfied with achievements - do NOT fear death* - *serenity and contentment* -->*Negative Outcome*: EGO DESPAIR - -*With despair, you feel dissatisfied, bitter, unable to accept that death is near*

Positivity effects - lecture; research findings of Kim & Park (2017) meta-analysis; text pp. 492-493

POSITIVITY EFFECT: --> *Older adults exhibit a more positive approach to things than younger adults* -->EXAMPLE: *Mroczek & Kolarz* (1998) - *Emotions* -examined how emotion changes across adulthood -adults aged 25 - 74 rated frequency of 6 positive and 6 negative emotions over a 30 day time -*Older adults showed MORE positive emotion (calm, peaceful, happy) and less negative emotion (nervous, hopeless, sad and restless) than younger adults!* --positive emotions increased after late adulthood 60s and negative emotion decreased POSITIVITY EFFECTS - PERCEPTION AND MEMORY: -older adults focus less on the negative and more on the positive when perceiving and evaluating a range of stimuli and situations -E.G.: *Carstensen & Mikels* - recall of computer images (puppies v mutilations) -->younger adults recalled equal amounts of positive and negative images -->!! *older adults recalled more positive stimuli than negative ones* !! -younger adults recalled more / most images, but older recalled less images but more + -- this is the positivity effect !

Changes in marital satisfaction; nature of marriage at mid-life; predictors of marital success (Lauer et al., 1995); 5 types of long-term marriages from Cuber & Harroff; criticisms of these findings

RELATIONSHIPS AT MID-LIFE: B. *Marriages at Mid-Life* - (what predicts marital satisfaction?) -satisfaction starts high, drops, then goes back up after kids leave -->A LOOK AT MARITAL SATISFACTION: -*stage of "Stability" or "working through"* -*accepting of relationships and its strengths and weaknesses* -*conflict patterns - predictable, familiar* (you know what triggers your partner) -*expectations are more realistic now* --*Cross sectional data show that marital satisfaction changes over time and typically follows a U-shaped patterns* -->REASONS FOR MARITAL SUCCESS- RESEARCH EVIDENCE: -*Lauer et al. (1995) reasons for marital success*: -interviewed 100 couples in long term marriage --PREDICTORS OF LONG TERM MARRIAGE SUCCES: -->*Seeing spouse as best friend* -->*Viewing marriage as a long term commitment* -->*Liking spouse as a person* -->*Laughing together frequently* -->*Agreeing on aims and goals* -->TYPES OF LONG TERM MARRIAGES (CUBER & HAROFF, 1965): -not just one types of LT marriages!! --*Method*: Interviewed 107 men, 104 women *married 10+ years*, *never considered divorce* --found evidence / identified *5 types of couples* ... : 1. THE CONFLICT-HABITUATED: *underlying tension and conflict - quarreling* (Frank and Marie from everybody loves Raymond) 2. THE DEVITALIZED: *discrepancy from earlier years - characterized now by indifference* (life now opposite of early love) -duty may drive relationship, called "roommates watching kids" 3. THE PASSIVE - CONGENIAL: *indifference has been normal throughout* (always has been there from start of relationship) 4. THE VITAL: *intensely bound together* - *sharing and togetherness is genuine* (may sacrifice events to enhance marriage ... sense of togetherness) -RARE type 5. THE TOTAL RELATIONSHIP: *like vital, but multifaceted* (work through tensions *respectfully*) -->*CONCERNS* W/ CUBER & HAROFF (1965): marriages from 1965 - today - *Stable categories?* - *Do other couple types exist?* (is 5 categories enough... other couples not captured..) - *Cohort effect?* (do patterns still hold today ... Divorce?)

Nature of caring for aging parents; challenges and stressors of caregiving; buffers

RELATIONSHIPS AT MID-LIFE: C. *Relationship to Aging Parents* - -->A SHIFT in HELPING often occurs -->*25% of US Adult children provide unpaid care to aging adult* -->CARING FOR AGING PARENTS: -*Reevaluate relationship* - *role reversal* -A *highly stressful* situation. Why?? --typically occurs suddenly with little time for preparation --difficult emotionally to watch decline of parents aging --duration is uncertain and parent typically declines over time and becomes more dependent (kid- more independent) --psychological costs - depression (30-50%), resentment --financial pressures -Often *difficult on the aging parent* as well - now DEPENDENT -BUFFERS: *social support, secure attachment style, rewarding career*

General nature of chief cognitive declines with age - changes in speed of processing, attention (text pp. 427-428),

SPEED OF PROCESSING -as processing speed slows, basic components of executive functioning decline, yet midlife is also a time to great expansion in cognitive competence as adults apply their vast knowledge and life experience to problem solving in the everyday world -response time increases steadily from early 20s into 90s - the more complex the reaction time task, the more disadvantaged older adults are : although the decline in speed is gradual and quite small, it is nevertheless of practical significance -changes in the brain are responsible... --one view says aging is accompanied by withering myelin coating on neural fibers within cerebral cortex, leading to deteriorating neural connections esp in prefrontal cortex and corpus callosum -- extent of myelin breakdown in healthy older adults predicts decrements in reaction time and other cognitive abilities --another view to age related cognitive slowing suggests older adults experience greater loss of information as it moves through the cognitive system ... as a result, the whole system must slow down to inspect and interpret the information; with each step of thinking, information degrades, the older the adult the more exaggerated this effect ; complex tasks are more affected by information loss and declines in processing speed bc more steps -processing speed predicts adults performance on many tests of complex abilities - the slower their reaction time the lower people's scores on tests of memory, reasoning, and problem solving , with relationships greater for fluid than crystallized ability items -processing speed contributes broadly to declines in cognitive functioning!!! -yet processing speed correlates only moderately with older adults' performances , including fluid ability tasks , and it is NOT the only major predictor of age related cognitive changes ... other factors such as declines in executive function , esp working memory capacity, also predict diverse age related cognitive performances -processing speed contributes to decrements in working memory! --disagreement still persists over whether age related cognitive changes have one common cause , best represented by processing speed, or multiple independent causes -processing speed is a weak predictor of the skill with which older adults perform complex, familiar tasks in everyday life, which they continue to do w considerable proficiency -knowledge and experience can also compensate for impairments in cog processing speed -older adults reaction time is better on verbal items than on nonverbal -age differences remain, but older adults' processing speed can be improved though training EXECUTIVE FUNCTION -all three executive functioning decline w age: how much info can manipulate in working memory, extent they can inhibit irrelevant info and behaviors, and the ease they can flexibly shift focus of attention as the situation demands -working memory diminishes steadily from 20s to 90s -verbal working memory suffers less than spatial -spatial performance declines at double the rate of verbal ; verbal has task familiarity to preserve it -reduced / slower processing speed limits the amount of info a person can focus on at once -as age, inhibition is harder ; older adults get distracted easier , more irrelevant information clutters working memory and reduces capacity -adults find it harder to ignore irrelevant stimuli and harder to remove no longer needed stuff in working memory (updating) -flexible shifting focus of attention becomes more challenging w age, harder to multitask --> result of less effective inhibition -adults can compensate for these changes tho, adults who have practiced those tasks in their life or are pilots for instance show smaller declines in inhibition and task switching w age -practice can improve executive skills ; when older adults receive training they improve as much as younger adults do; but training does not close age group gap

Social theories of aging: disengagement theory, activity theory, socioemotional selectivity theory

SOCIAL THEORIES OF AGING: --> *Explain DECLINES in size of social networks as you age* -Age related changes in # of social partners -- # of partners goes down after 60s 1. DISENGAGEMENT THEORY: --Premise: *mutual withdrawal between elders and society takes place in anticipation of death* (elders wanna be pulled away from obligations ... and society releases them) --Problems: *little evidence that disengagement is normative. Withdrawal may not be elder's preference* 2. ACTIVITY THEORY: --Premise: *disengagement results from SOCIAL BARRIERS* (NOT the elders' choice!, the elderly want to stay active!) -those who stay active will be better adjusted --FILM: Charles & Jean: play tennis, more time w grandchild, bc they are active they enjoy aging and retirement --Problems: *having larger social networks doesn't always produce happiness. Activity, alone, is NOT enough* (having an activity to do/staying active doesn't necessarily mean happiness) 3. SOCIOEMOTIONAL SELECTIVITY THEORY: --*social networks become more SELECTIVE as we age* (we want activity but are more selective; focus on close social relationships, ppl who will sustain + emotions) --*changes in FUNCTIONS of social interactions with age* --*elders emphasize EMOTION* - *regulating function of interactions*

Effects of religion and spirituality on health and well-being (lecture and text pp. 494-495)

SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIOSITY -older adults attach greater value to religious beliefs and behaviors -65% of those 65 and older said that religion is very important in their lives, and nearly half reported attending religious services at least once a week- highest of any age group -ppl become more religious and spiritual as they age - seek higher meaning in life (this trend is modest and not universal) -more reflective approach -involvement among both organized and informal religious activities is esp high among *low SES ethnic minority older ppl* including AA, Hispanic and Native AM -more AA report feeling closer to God -older women more likely than men to say religion is important to them, and participate -women's higher rates of po era, widowhood, and participation in caregiving expose them to more stress and anxiety, they turn to religion for social support -benefits: better physical and psychological well being, more time devoted to exercising and leisure activities, increases sense of closeness to fam and friends, greater generatively, and deer sense of meaning in life -longitudinal research - both organized AND informal religious participation predicted linger survival -in some research, religious ACTIVITY - not belief - was associated w declines in distress following negative life events

Characteristics of successful aging from lecture (6 characteristics) and text (p. 515, 9 characteristics)

SUCCESSFUL AGING ("optimal aging") -General Definition: *doing the best with what you have* 6 CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL AGING: 1. *High quality relationships that offer social support and pleasurable companionship* (caring, encouraging relationships ... greatest impact on mental health) --social support reduces stress and promotes physical health and psychological well - being (group homes etc..) --QUALITY of relationships more important than quantity --AGE MATTERS. Friendships with age mates seem most beneficial (elderly living in senior citizen communities = high life satisfaction) -->*Increasing Importance of Friendship*: -Having friends is a strong predictor of mental health ... *more important* than contact with younger family members (higher for women?) -Friendships serve several functions: --offer INTIMACY and COMPANIONSHIP (social outings with friends are imp) --a source of ACCEPTANCE (y'all are going through the same shit) --a link to the LARGER COMMUNITY (more integrations with society) -PROTECTION from the PSYCHOLOGICAL consequences of loss Ex: Young @ Heart (film) - old ppl in a singing group 2. *Personal control over domains of dependency and independence* --Desire to maintain control over own lives and environments --Importance of staying in own home --A sense of loss of personal control is a major factor in adult mental health -Good help versus bad help -->*Bad help*: not wanted to needed; exaggerates weaknesses and undermines mental health, makes disabilities worse and makes u feel bad about yourself; driving -->*Good help*: maintain personal control (you still have control over some things you can do, you can take care of the cat; having the ability to choose when you need help - gives sense of autonomy) 3. *Acceptance of change, which fosters life satisfaction* (key to happiness = having flexibility and rolling with life) 4. *A mature sense of spirituality, permitting anticipation of death with calm composure* --seek a higher meaning for life (faith) --not necessarily the same as religion --older adults do attach great value to spirituality and religious beliefs (go to church more...) --use RELIGION in COPING with daily problems of living --> may help people focus on parts of problems that are under their control (turn the rest to God) --source of SOCIAL SUPPORT, social activities, and religious leadership roles (teaching bible school, popes) --mental and physical HEALTH BENEFITS of religious involvement 5. *Strong self concept that promotes self acceptance and pursuit of hoped - for possible selves* --strengthen self definition and self acceptance --accepting yourself AND hoping for your possible self 6. FINAL CHARACTERISTIC OF SUCCESSFUL AGING: *Optimism about aging, health, and physical functioning*: --physical health is a powerful predictor of psychological well-being -EXAMPLE: *physical illness resulting in disability* is one of the STRONGEST risk factors for late life depression --positive attitude about aging matters , too , and is linked to longer life --AARP commercial --*Physical health affects both attitude and mental health* (triangle!!) -->*LEVY & COLLEAGUES* (2002): -found that people with more positive views of their own aging lived on average 7.6 years longer than people with negative views -->*KIM AND PARK* (2017): -meta-analysis of correlates of successful aging - 137 factors extracted from 15 studies - biggest predictor : perceptions of aging (r = .645) --attitudes toward aging affect rate of cognitive and physical declines !!

text pp. 492-493

THE POSITIVITY EFFECT -- compared with younger ppl, older ppl selectively attend to and better recall emotionally positive over negative info -contributes to resilience -experts in emotional self reg due to life experiences -older pppl good at emotion centered coping -intense stress and problems can heighten negative outcomes in elderly ... -BUT the positivity effect is a significant late life psychosocial attainments ; high levels of emotional stability and well being are the norm rather than the exception among older people