Age-Graded Influences on Development: Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the FOUR key features of the Life Span Perspective identified by Paul Baltes?

Unidirectionality

Single Causation

Multidirectionality (correct)

Plurality of Growth

Which type of developmental influence occurs as part of the aging process itself?

Normative history-graded influences

Normative age-graded influences (correct)

Baltes' identified influences

Nonnormative influences

What distinguishes normative history-graded influences from normative age-graded influences?

Their uniqueness to individual experiences

Their impact on personal identity

Their relationship to the aging process

Their occurrence in specific cultural settings (correct)

In the context of development forces, what does Plasticity refer to?

The capacity to improve, even in later life, to a certain degree Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of human development is described as the longest phase according to the Life Span Perspective?

Old age Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a normative age-graded influence?

Graduation from school Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes nonnormative influences in terms of developmental change?

They are unique to individual experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'Multiple Causation' in the context of development forces?

Development is a product of multiple causes including biological, psychological, sociocultural, and lifecycle forces Signup and view all the answers

How does age influence adaptive capacity according to the text?

Age decreases adaptive capacity due to a decline in energy levels Signup and view all the answers

How do normative history-graded influences contribute to the development of personal identity?

By shaping common experiences within a cultural context Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a force of development according to the text?

Genetic forces Signup and view all the answers

In the context of development, which type of force is related to thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and personality?

Psychological forces Signup and view all the answers

What type of factors do sociocultural forces encompass in the development process?

Societal and cultural factors Signup and view all the answers

Which age group experiences a wide range of functioning and ability according to the text?

65-74 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of adapting with age according to Baltes?

Selectively optimizing and compensating Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Life Cycle Forces and Developmental Influences

Life cycle forces affect people differently at various stages of life, e.g., being widowed at 85 vs. 22 or having a first child at 52 vs. 22.
There are three developmental influences that interact to produce developmental change over the lifespan:
- Normative age-graded influences: occur as part of the aging process, common experiences that occur to all who age, e.g., puberty, wrinkles, menopause.
- Normative history-graded influences: events experienced by most people in a specific culture at a particular time, e.g., graduation from school, marriage, retirement.
- Nonnormative influences: unique experiences that are not common to most people.

The Life Span Perspective (LSP)

The LSP divides human development into two phases: early (childhood and adolescence) and later (young adulthood, middle age, and old age).
Paul Baltes (1987) identified four key features of the LSP:
- Multidirectionality: involves both growth and decline.
- Multiple causation: development is a product of multiple causes (biological, psychological, sociocultural, and lifecycle forces).
- Plasticity: the capacity to improve, even in later life, to a certain degree.
- Historical context: time and place shape individual development.

Development and Adaptive Capacity

Development is age-related change in adaptive capacity, which is the ability to make positive change in response to adversity.
With age, more "energy" is needed to maintain function and deal with age-related losses, leaving less "energy" for continued growth.
To adapt with age, one needs to selectively optimize and compensate by:
- Selecting specific goals that are appropriate for the individual and situation.
- Optimizing available effective resources to meet goals.
- Compensating in response to lost resources needed to meet goals.

Characteristics of Older Adults

The number of older adults is increasing in all ethnic groups globally.
Ethnic groups in the United States are increasing faster than European Americans.
There are more older women than older men in all ethnic groups in the United States and many countries.
The educational levels of older adults will continue to improve and allow them more opportunities (at least 1/3 have a bachelor's degree).
Older adults have a wide age range (65-74, 75-84, and 85+).
There is a wide range of functioning and ability among older adults.

Forces of Development

Forces of development can help explain differences and similarities in individual development.
There are four forces of development:
- Biological forces: genetic and health-related factors that affect development.
- Psychological forces: thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and personality that affect development.
- Sociocultural forces: interpersonal, societal, cultural, and ethnic factors that affect development.

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Test your knowledge on how forces affect individuals at different stages of life and the inter-relations among these forces. Explore the 3 developmental influences identified by Baltes that interact to produce developmental change over the lifespan.

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