3012 Week 8 Notes

Competence-Environmental Press Model

• The Competence-Environmental Press Model considers individual capabilities ("competence") and environmental demands ("environmental press") as intertwined components that influence well-being and performance.
• Competence encompasses multiple dimensions including social, physical, and psychological capabilities.
• Environmental Press refers to the challenges and demands imposed by the environment on an individual.
• The Adaptation Level is the point where competence and environmental press are balanced, ensuring comfortable functioning without over-exertion or under-utilization.
• Slight increases in environmental press can enhance performance, while excessive press can lead to stress and reduced performance.

Dealing with Environmental Press

• Proactive strategies involve actively managing changes by seeking support, modifying the environment, or taking control of the situation.
• Docility involves passive acceptance of situations, leading to potentially negative outcomes.
• Preventive adaptations are proactive actions aimed at preventing stressors before they occur.
• Corrective adaptations are actions taken in response to existing stressors, often relying on internal and external resources.

Living Options for Older Adults

• Community Living offers opportunities for socialization and shared amenities in retirement villages and congregate housing for relatively independent seniors.
• Assisted Living provides a transitional step for those requiring assistance with daily tasks without needing the level of care offered in nursing homes.
• Home Care caters to individuals with more complex needs, incorporating professional healthcare services like nursing care and physical therapy.
• Home Support addresses basic needs for individuals with lower care needs, offering services like domestic assistance, transportation, and social activities.
• Residential Aged Care provides a permanent living arrangement for older adults requiring ongoing, comprehensive care, including special care units addressing specific health challenges.

Stereotypes and Ageing

• Stereotypes about aging are prevalent among both younger and older adults.
• An age-based double standard exists, leading to harsher judgment of older adults' memory lapses.
• Implicit stereotypes automatically activate negative thoughts about aging, influencing behavior even beyond conscious awareness.
• Stereotype threat refers to the fear of being judged based on negative stereotypes associated with one's group.
• Ageism, a complex prejudice embodying both positive and negative stereotypes about older adults, manifests in various forms, ranging from subtle patronizing to overt discrimination.
• Hostile ageism refers to direct, negative attitudes towards older adults, while benevolent ageism involves seemingly kind gestures but can be harmful by undermining independence.

Self-Perceptions and Perceptions of Others

• Self-perception of aging refers to individuals’ internal views of their own age and the aging process.
• This can be influenced by "labelling theory," where individuals internalize age-related stereotypes, or "resilience theory," where individuals reject negative stereotypes and assert their individuality.
• Older adults tend to rely on less detailed information forming first impressions.
• They tend to exhibit a "negativity bias," placing greater emphasis on negative information.
• In social judgment processes, older adults might rely more on dispositional attributions (blaming the person) than situational attributions (considering the context).

Personality Change

• Personality can change over time due to life experiences, social interactions, and introspection.

Social Judgments

• Social knowledge is drawn from past experiences to navigate new situations.
• Source judgments involve identifying the origin of information.
• Causal attributions are explanations for behavior, differentiating between dispositional (internal) and situational (external) factors.
• Correspondence bias involves attributing behavior to dispositional factors even when situational factors might play a role.

This quiz explores the Competence-Environmental Press Model, highlighting the interplay between individual capabilities and environmental demands. It discusses how balancing these components through proactive strategies can influence well-being and performance. Test your understanding of adaptation levels and the impact of environmental press on functioning.