Psychology of Ageing and Adulthood

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the new scientific discipline called gerontology?

Study of childhood development

Clinical psychology practices

Multidisciplinary study of old age and the ageing process (correct)

Research on developmental disorders in youth

Which substage of adulthood occurs approximately between the ages of 40 to 59?

Late adulthood

Young adulthood

Early adulthood

Middle adulthood (correct)

Which of the following correctly describes the chronological age?

Age based on an individual's ability to function

Biological age determined by health metrics

Perceived age based on social interactions

Number of years that have passed since birth (correct)

What is meant by 'functional age'?

Ability of an individual to perform daily activities effectively Signup and view all the answers

Which viewpoint was historically emphasized in the study of aging?

Pathology in adulthood and development in childhood Signup and view all the answers

The domain of study focused on psychological aspects of aging is known as:

Gero-psychology Signup and view all the answers

What does the life-span developmental perspective emphasize?

Continuous development throughout the entire life Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT typically associated with the forces and influences of development?

Chronological age Signup and view all the answers

What does psychological age primarily refer to?

A person's ability to adjust and cope with challenges Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ageing is characterized by a gradual deterioration of physical abilities?

Primary ageing Signup and view all the answers

Which principle highlights that development is a lifelong process?

Paul Baltes' life-span perspective Signup and view all the answers

What does social age assess in individuals?

Their role in society against societal expectations Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of ageing does tertiary ageing describe?

Terminal decline before death Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes personal age?

Individuals' perception of their own age Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following trends affects the ageing demographics of the world population?

Urbanization and migration patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily responsible for the decline in the younger population?

Health crises and use of contraceptives Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the simultaneous increase and decrease in developmental processes throughout a lifespan?

Combination of gains and losses Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for development to show plasticity?

Certain aspects can be modified or altered. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of influences is associated with events experienced by a specific culture at the same time?

Normative history-graded influences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes biological forces in development?

Physiological factors such as health and appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of development is influenced by interactions among biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors?

Developmental trajectories Signup and view all the answers

What are non-normative influences?

Rare events that significantly impact individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which force primarily impacts emotional and cognitive development?

Psychological forces Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates normative age-graded influences?

Expectations surrounding retirement age Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of qualitative research?

To offer an in-depth understanding of people's experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design utilizes both longitudinal and cross-sectional elements?

Sequential design Signup and view all the answers

What does a case study primarily involve?

An in-depth examination of a single individual or group. Signup and view all the answers

In correlation research, what is typically assessed?

The relationship between two or more variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal designs?

Cross-sectional studies involve multiple age groups studied simultaneously, while longitudinal studies examine the same group over time. Signup and view all the answers

What does the nature-nurture issue primarily address?

Genetic factors versus environmental influences Signup and view all the answers

The stability-change issue concerns whether people...

Remain the same over time or undergo transformations Signup and view all the answers

What does the continuity-discontinuity issue refer to?

The gradual versus abrupt changes in development Signup and view all the answers

Which concept describes whether individuals are actively engaged in their own development?

Activity-passivity issue Signup and view all the answers

The universality-context specific issue explores the...

Similarities and differences in human development Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the mechanistic approach to development?

Focus on continuous and quantitative change Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive development specifically includes changes in...

Mental functioning and intelligence Signup and view all the answers

Physical development focuses on changes in...

Biological systems and structures Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Historical & Current Viewpoints on Ageing

For a long time, development was focused on childhood while adulthood was studied in terms of pathology
The increased life expectancy led to a new scientific discipline called gerontology: the multidisciplinary study of old age and the ageing process
This led to geropsychology/ geriatric psychology and geriatrics.

Substages of Adulthood

Early Adulthood: Roughly 20 - 39 years old
Middle Adulthood: Roughly 40 - 59 years old
Late Adulthood: Roughly 60 years old to death

Defining Age

Chronological age is the number of years since a person's birth
Functional age is the total ability of a person to function effectively in their environment
Psychological age is a person's ability to adjust to their environment and cope with challenges
Social age is the degree to which a person's role in society meets the expectations and perceptions of society
Biological age is a person's physical condition in comparison to their peer group

The Ageing Process

Primary ageing: Normal, gradual physical deterioration
Secondary ageing: Accelerated physical deterioration due to disease
Tertiary ageing: The process of terminal decline before death
Relativity/Subjectivity of Age:
- Personal Age: How a person perceives and experiences their own age
- Ageless Self: The experience that the self remains the same regardless of biological or chronological ageing
- Legal definition: 18 years old (Generally signifies being an adult and able to make decisions for oneself)

The Demographics of the Human Population

Gradual ageing of the world population
- More focus placed on late adulthood for psychologists, leading to a higher demand for professional services and research
Decline in population growth rate
- Due to many factors such as contraceptives, AIDS, etc.
- Less young population
Urbanization and migration patterns
- Highly skilled professionals are moving away from their home countries, leading to a "brain drain"

A Life-Span Developmental Perspective

Paul Baltes is a key figure in this theory
Development is a life-long process: All ages are equally important
Development is multi-dimensional & multidirectional: Development happens in many different dimensions and affects multiple aspects simultaneously
Both gains and losses occur in development: Developmental processes increase and decrease throughout life as one both grows and declines
Development shows plasticity: Many aspects of development can be modified or altered. A person can change their developmental course at any stage of life
Development is embedded in history and context: Development happens within the context of the cultural-historical period
Development occurs in context: A person's development is influenced by the interaction of many influences such as biological, social, or environmental
Development is multidisciplinary: No single perspective can adequately explain the complexities of development

Forces and Influences of Development

Biological: Physical and physiological factors that affect development, such as changes in appearance (wrinkles, grey hair), as well as health-related factors
Psychological: Cognitive, emotional, and personality factors that can affect development, some change, others remain stable
Sociocultural: Interpersonal, societal, and cultural forces that provide the context within which we develop
Life-Cycle Forces: Forces that affect the course of development. Can be a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural forces that affect people at different times in their lives

Sets of Influences that may affect development

Normative age-graded influences: Experiences caused by biological, psychological, and sociocultural forces, usually associated with chronological age. (e.g. Menopause)
Normative history-graded influences: Experiences that most people in a specific culture experience at the same time. (e.g. Biological - AIDS/COVID-19 epidemic; Psychological - Attitudes towards women)
Non-normative influences: Influences resulting from random or rare events that may affect a particular individual but are not experienced by most people. (e.g. A person winning the lottery or being in a car accident)

Issues in Development

The nature-nurture issue: Whether genetics and biology (nature) or environmental factors and experience (nurture) have a greater impact on development
The stability-change issue: Whether a person stays the same or changes over time
The continuity-discontinuity issue: Whether development happens gradually, or in distinct stages
The activity-passivity issue: Whether people are actively involved in their development or passively receive the effects of their environment
The universality-context specific issue: Whether development is common to all humans or unique to specific individuals
The mechanistic-organismic-interactionist issue:
- Mechanistic: Human behavior is a result of biological or environmental forces, development is continuous and quantitative.
- Organismic: People develop according to internally generated patterns, development is qualitative, orderly, and stage-like.
- Interactionist: a combination approach of genetics and environment

Domains of Development

Physical: Changes in the body's biological systems and structures including sensory capabilities and motor skills
Cognitive: Changes in mental functioning such as memory, intelligence, creativity, and wisdom
Personality: The individual's way of dealing with the world, how they think about themselves, and how they express their thoughts
Social: Changes in a person's social world including interpersonal relationships, social roles, social networks, and social responsibilities

Research in Adult Development

Quantitative research: Uses mainly statistical data to obtain information and make predictions
Qualitative research: Provides an in-depth understanding of people's experiences

Methods of Gathering Information

Sampling: Getting a representative segment of the population to participate
Data gathering:
- Systemic Observation: Watching and recording behavior in a structured way
- Self-reports: Interviews, questionnaires, or other methods where people provide information about themselves
- Psychological testing: Administering standardized tests to measure psychological constructs

General Research Designs

Experimental design: Two groups - experimental and control groups are used to determine a specific outcome. (e.g. Determining the effect of cognitive training on Alzheimer's patients)
Correlation research: Determining whether there is a relationship between variables (e.g. Is watching violent movies related to aggressive behavior in children?).
Case Studies: In-depth study of a single person, family, or institution
Meta-analysis: Reviewing several studies with different or contradictory findings and using statistics to try and understand the overall trend

Research Designs for Studying Adult Development

Cross-sectional design: Studying different age groups at the same time, comparing their results
Longitudinal design: Studying the same sample over a long period of time
Sequential design: Uses both longitudinal and cross-sectional designs.

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Description

Explore the various aspects of ageing through a psychological lens, from the historical context of gerontology to the distinct substages of adulthood. This quiz delves into the definitions of chronological, functional, psychological, social, and biological ages, providing a comprehensive understanding of the ageing process.