Questions and Answers
What is the age range for middle adulthood?
Begins around age 40, ends around 65.
Describe the variability in attitudes and behaviors among middle adults.
This can be a time of great activity and optimism, or a time of dependency.
The decline in physical functioning begins in ______, but accelerates in ____.
young adulthood; middle age
What are the attitudes of middle adults toward their aging?
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What is the condition commonly referred to as old eyes?
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What pupil changes do we see in middle adulthood?
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What lens changes do we see in middle adulthood?
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What neural changes occur in middle adulthood?
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What are other miscellaneous vision issues seen in middle adulthood?
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What are the common functional limitations due to vision issues in middle adulthood?
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What are common vision diagnoses noted in middle adulthood?
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What vision issues may arise due to technology advances and increased use?
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If visual fatigue isn't managed, what issues can it cause?
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Although some hearing-loss conditions run in families, most age-related hearing loss is called what?
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What may lead to presbycusis or hearing loss?
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What is often the first sign of hearing loss?
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How do men's hearing difficulties compare to women's in middle adulthood?
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What are the three layers of the skin from outermost to innermost?
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What skin changes happen to the epidermis in middle adulthood?
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Study Notes
Age Range of Middle Adulthood
- Middle adulthood spans from approximately age 40 to 65.
Attitudes and Well-Being
- Individuals may experience heightened activity and optimism or increased dependency.
- A strong link exists between psychological and physical well-being during this stage.
Decline in Physical Functioning
- Physical functioning begins to decline in young adulthood and accelerates during middle age.
Aging Perception
- The onset of visible aging prompts a desire to 'slow' physical decline.
- Revisions to physical self-image become necessary as individuals grapple with their aging appearance.
Vision Changes: Presbyopia
- Around age 60, the ability to adjust focus diminishes, known as presbyopia.
Pupil Changes
- Pupil size begins to shrink during middle adulthood.
Lens Changes
- The lens thickens, enlarges, and may exhibit yellowing with age.
Neural Changes
- Neural speed decreases in the optic nerve, with reduced retinal sensitivity due to blood vessel degeneration.
Miscellaneous Vision Issues
- Blood supply to the eye diminishes, leading to weaker ocular muscles and opaqueness in vitreous humor.
- Loss of rods and cones results in difficulties with color perception.
Functional Limitations Due to Vision Issues
- Poor night vision and reduced vision in dim light result from aging processes.
- Decreased accommodation ability arises from weakening eye muscles, contributing to difficulties with focus and hyperopia.
- Increased glare sensitivity impacts activities such as night driving.
Common Vision Diagnoses
- Floaters appear as small spots due to breakdowns in vitreous humor.
- Increased risk of glaucoma—characterized by fluid build-up leading to optic nerve damage—is more prevalent in women and can progress asymptomatically until severe.
Technology and Vision Issues
- Increased use of technology strains near and intermediate vision, leading to visual fatigue.
Unmanaged Visual Fatigue Consequences
- Symptoms of ocular pain, burning eyes, headaches, and corneal cell damage may occur.
- Possible conjunctival hyperemia includes reduced tearing and swollen tear ducts, affecting overall visual capacity.
Hearing Loss in Middle Adulthood
- Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, typically begins at ages 45-64.
- Neural message processing in the auditory cortex deteriorates due to cell death and reduced blood supply.
Signs of Hearing Loss
- Initial symptoms often include significant difficulty hearing high frequencies and distinguishing speech.
Gender Differences in Hearing Loss
- Men's hearing abilities decline more rapidly than women's, influenced by environmental factors and health conditions.
Skin Structure Layers
- The skin consists of three layers:
- Epidermis: Outermost layer responsible for new skin cell production.
- Dermis: Middle layer providing elasticity through connective tissue.
- Hypodermis: Innermost fatty layer contributing to skin's shape and softness.
Epidermis Changes in Middle Adulthood
- The epidermis becomes less firmly attached to the dermis, leading to increased dryness and skin flakiness.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of physical development during middle adulthood through engaging flashcards. This quiz covers age ranges, attitudes, behaviors, and the connection between psychological and physical well-being. Ideal for students of psychology or related fields.
