Questions and Answers
Which of these theories focuses on socioemotional development in late adulthood?
What is Erikson's eighth and final stage of development focused on?
Integrity versus despair
According to Activity Theory, older adults who are more active are likely to be dissatisfied with their lives.
False
What does Socioemotional Selectivity Theory suggest about older adults' social networks?
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What are the three main factors linked with successful aging according to Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory?
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Ageism is prejudice against older adults.
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According to research, which Big Five personality factor is linked to lower mortality risk in older adults?
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Which of the following is a common form of ageism?
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What effect can engaging in a life review have on older adults?
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According to Activity Theory, older adults are more likely to be satisfied with their lives if they remain ___ and involved.
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Older adults tend to report being less lonely than younger adults.
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What is a significant predictor of loneliness in older adults?
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Which factor was found to indicate that loneliness increases for men after a partner's death?
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What percentage of U.S. adults aged 65 years and older engaged in volunteering in 2013?
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What is a common perception about older adults and helping behavior?
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What psychological benefit do older adults experience when they provide social support to others?
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Older adults are less likely to forge new friendships in late adulthood.
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According to Laura Carstensen, people choose close friends over ______ as they grow older.
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Which type of support is linked to lower incidences of depression in older adults?
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Which ethnicity among older adults has higher poverty rates?
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Adult daughters are less involved in the lives of aging parents compared to adult sons.
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What is one of the main roles of adult children in relation to their aging parents?
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In a recent investigation, what did older adults focus on regarding strategies?
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Older adults are more likely to volunteer more than ______ hours annually.
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What degree did she obtain from Pennsylvania State University?
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What is the full name of the center co-founded by her?
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What challenges do many older women face according to the definition of gender?
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The poverty rate for older adult females is lower than for older adult males.
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Which cultures generally have more respect for older adults?
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Successful aging is primarily defined by which of the following factors?
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What is the impact of poverty on older adults?
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What is the main premise of activity theory?
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What percentage of older women in the U.S. were living in poverty in 2013?
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Poverty rates among older adults are higher for ethnic minorities compared to non-Latino Whites.
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What is ageism?
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What percentage of U.S. older adults reported using the Internet in 2013?
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What does the concept of 'integrity versus despair' refer to?
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What are the three main factors in selective optimization with compensation theory?
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What are two groups of older adult Internet users identified in the 2013 survey?
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What does socioemotional selectivity theory emphasize regarding older adults' social networks?
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How does frequent computer use impact cognitive tasks in older adults?
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What is a significant theme in successful aging according to research?
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What percentage of married older adults were reported to be happier, feel less distressed, and live longer?
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Divorced older women are more likely to have adequate financial resources than married older women.
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What is one effect of social support on older adults?
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Approximately ___ percent of older adults have living children.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions regarding older adults:
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What characterizes the friendships of older adults?
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Study Notes
Theories of Socioemotional Development
- Four main theories address socioemotional development in late adulthood: Erikson's theory, activity theory, socioemotional selectivity theory, and selective optimization with compensation theory.
Erikson's Theory
- The final stage, integrity versus despair, involves reflecting on past life experiences.
- Positive reflections lead to feelings of integrity, while negative reflections can lead to despair.
- Life review is crucial, allowing individuals to evaluate their experiences, including regrets and achievements.
- Engaging in a life review can improve life satisfaction and emotional regulation but should not dwell on regrets.
- Reminiscence therapy has shown benefits, improving mood and self-acceptance, especially in older adults with dementia.
Activity Theory
- Suggests that active and involved older adults report higher life satisfaction.
- Studies indicate that increased activity levels correlate with a slower progression to functional disabilities.
- Older adults who maintain roles from middle adulthood tend to experience greater satisfaction; substitute roles are important if retirement occurs.
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
- Older adults prioritize emotional satisfaction, focusing on relationships with familiar, rewarding individuals.
- This theory counters the stereotype of social isolation, emphasizing a conscious choice to limit social interactions to those enriching emotional lives.
- As age increases, the quality of emotional interactions tends to improve, with older adults exhibiting greater emotional regulation.
- Positive emotions increase while negative emotions decline with age, leading to greater contentment.
Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory
- Successful aging hinges on selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC).
- Older adults may need to select fewer life domains as they face reduced capacities.
- Through optimization, older adults can maintain performance in some areas via practice and technology use.
- Compensation strategies become essential when tasks exceed current functionality, especially in mental and physical demands.
Personality and Society
- Changes in personality traits during late adulthood, with increases in conscientiousness and agreeableness observed.
- Higher conscientiousness is linked to lower mortality risk; optimistic individuals tend to live longer.
- Negative affect correlates with shorter lifespans, while positive emotions enhance longevity.
Older Adults in Society
- Ageism negatively impacts social participation of older adults, leading to discrimination and isolation.
- Concerns about the economic status and income of older adults are prevalent, with many living in poverty.
- Women aged 65+ face higher poverty rates than men, especially those single or divorced.
- Healthcare costs significantly burden the aging population, with older adults comprising a substantial portion of healthcare expenditures.### Medicare and Healthcare Access
- Medicare provides health care insurance for adults over 65 within the Social Security system.
- Prior to the Affordable Care Act, the U.S. lacked a national health care system, unlike other developed countries.
Internet Use Among Older Adults
- As of 2013, 59% of U.S. older adults reported Internet use, rising from just 13% in 2000.
- Internet use declines significantly after age 75; daily online activity is reported by 71% of older users.
- Factors linked to Internet use among older adults include education, affluence, and health challenges.
- Frequent Internet usage correlates with positive outcomes: better cognitive performance, reduced feelings of isolation, and lower depression rates.
Relationships and Family Dynamics in Older Adults
- 80% of older adults have living children, who play crucial roles in their social networks.
- Adult daughters are more likely than sons to assist aging parents.
- Relationships between older parents and their children often exhibit ambivalence due to care dynamics and emotional dependency.
Lifestyle Changes in Older Adults
- As of 2014, 58.6% of U.S. adults over 65 were married; older men are more likely to be married than older women.
- Divorce rates among older adults are rising, with a significant percentage having been divorced or separated before reaching late adulthood.
- Cohabitation among older adults has increased, with 3% cohabiting in 2010, often for companionship rather than romantic reasons.
Social Support and Mental Health
- Social support is linked to improved physical health, mental well-being, and reduced depression in older adults.
- Older adults report less loneliness than younger adults, attributed to selective social networks and acceptance of their situation.
- Emotional connections with family and friends significantly contribute to life satisfaction.
Altruism and Volunteerism
- A significant portion (24.1%) of adults aged 65 and older engaged in volunteering activities in 2013.
- Older adults who give social support to others report enhanced well-being, and those feeling useful have lower mortality risks.
- Engagement in volunteering provides older adults with meaningful roles and social integration, ultimately benefiting their health.
Attachment and Aging
- Attachment relationships diminish with age; older adults experience less attachment anxiety and exhibit more secure attachments than younger individuals.
- Insecure attachment is associated with negative caregiver burdens, particularly for those caring for Alzheimer's patients.
Cognitive and Emotional Outcomes
- Studies suggest that maintaining friendships contributes to longevity and reduces depression among older adults.
- Engagement in social activities promotes a positive affect and greater life satisfaction in late adulthood.
- Both loneliness and social isolation are predictors of health issues and increased mortality in elderly populations.### Volunteering and Health Outcomes
- Volunteering is a strong predictor of lower cardiovascular disease risk and increased longevity.
- Older adults engaged in organizational volunteering show lower mortality risk compared to non-volunteers.
Attachment in Older Adults
- Research on attachment in older adults is limited; key findings suggest:
- Older adults have fewer attachment relationships than younger individuals.
- Attachment anxiety declines with age, while secure attachment correlates with better well-being.
- Insecure attachment relates to increased caregiver burden, especially for Alzheimer's patients.
Relationship Dynamics between Older Parents and Adult Children
- Around 80% of older adults have living children, contributing to their social network.
- Diverse family structures among older adults include instances of divorce and cohabitation.
- Adult daughters are more involved in caregiving than sons.
- Relationships between aging parents and their children often feature ambivalence.
- Adult children's roles include coordinating care services and direct assistance in daily activities.
Importance of Friendship in Late Adulthood
- Friendship networks expand in early adulthood but diminish as people age.
- Older adults often prefer close friendships over forming new ones, especially after losing a spouse.
- Social activities with friends enhance positive emotions and life satisfaction.
- Lack of a close friend increases depression rates, particularly among married older women.
Social Support and Integration
- Social support is vital for physical, mental health, and life satisfaction among older adults.
- Higher social support levels correlate with decreased likelihood of institutionalization and lower depression rates.
- Social integration involves maintaining a selective social network, prioritizing emotionally positive connections.
Altruism and Volunteerism in Older Adults
- Older adults often prioritize contributing to the public good over personal financial gain.
- A significant proportion (24.1%) of older adults engaged in volunteering activities in 2013.
- Providing social support enhances older adults' perceptions of well-being.
- Volunteering is linked to positive health outcomes, notably physical health improvements.
Ethnicity and Aging
- Ethnic minority older adults, particularly African Americans and Latinos, are disproportionately affected by poverty and have lower life expectancies.
- These individuals often face challenges of ageism and racism, compounded by educational and employment disparities.
- Supportive family networks and community engagement (e.g., through churches) help older minorities cope with life challenges.
Gender and Aging
- Older women experience compounded disadvantages from ageism, sexism, and, for minorities, racism.
- The poverty rate among older women is nearly double that of older men, highlighting socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
Cultural Perspectives on Aging
- Factors predicting high status for older adults in culture include knowledge control and integration into extended families.
- Collectivist cultures generally respect older adults more than individualistic ones, although trends are shifting.
Patterns of Aging
- Common aging patterns include normal, pathological, and successful aging.
- Successful aging is marked by sustained physical and cognitive development, often influenced by healthy lifestyle choices.
- Factors promoting successful aging include active social engagement, regular exercise, and participation in mentally stimulating activities.
- Older adults who feel useful to others are less likely to experience cognitive decline and have a lower mortality risk.
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Description
This flashcard quiz covers the various theories of socioemotional development in late adulthood, including Erikson's theory, activity theory, and more. Dive into the key concepts that explain how emotional and social changes impact individuals during this stage of life.
