Psychology of Aging and Development

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Questions and Answers

What is the first type of sound that people usually lose their hearing for as they age?

Low-frequency sounds

High-frequency sounds (correct)

All frequencies equally

Middle-frequency sounds

Which aspect of intelligence increases with age?

Inductive reasoning skills

Short-term memory capacity

Fluid intelligence

Crystallized intelligence (correct)

What condition results from chronic stress due to overproduction of corticosteroids?

Enhanced immune response

Increase in white blood cell count

Decrease in effectiveness of white blood cells (correct)

Heightened cognitive function

During which stage of cognitive development do adults focus on responsibilities?

Responsible stage Signup and view all the answers

Which group is at an increased risk for high blood pressure and stroke?

African Americans Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'expertise' in the context of cognitive aging?

Specialized knowledge in a specific field Signup and view all the answers

How does fluid intelligence change with age?

It decreases with age. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Seattle Longitudinal Study measure regarding cognitive processes?

Multiple changes in cognitive processes, including verbal memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of generativity in Erikson's theory?

Leaving a legacy for future generations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a form of generativity described in Erikson's stages?

Investing in personal happiness Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential result of stagnation according to Erikson's stages?

Believing one has not contributed anything significant Signup and view all the answers

Which factor might influence how individuals experience a midlife crisis?

Their sociohistorical context Signup and view all the answers

What approach posits that crises can arise from major life events?

Life events approach Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT considered a mediating variable in the life events approach?

Cultural background Signup and view all the answers

What societal perceptions might exaggerate the concept of a midlife crisis?

Media representations in popular culture Signup and view all the answers

Daily stressors in middle adulthood may include which of the following?

Maintaining physical health Signup and view all the answers

What is true regarding the personality of individuals in late adulthood?

Personality can change but is relatively stable across the lifespan. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a challenge faced during late adulthood?

Increased demands and responsibilities in family relationships. Signup and view all the answers

How is life expectancy defined?

The number of years the average person born in a particular year is likely to live. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is typically characterized as the oldest-old?

Individuals aged 85 and older. Signup and view all the answers

What factor primarily determines the functional age of an individual?

Actual ability to function, such as walking and communicating. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the most widely recognized marker of transitioning to adulthood?

First full-time job Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key feature of emerging adulthood?

Marital stability Signup and view all the answers

What factor has contributed to the increase in age of childbirth since 1970?

Increased educational attainment among women Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor associated with the higher mortality rates observed in early adulthood?

Unhealthy habits Signup and view all the answers

What role does leptin play in the body regarding weight management?

It signals the brain to stop eating Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about binge drinking among college students is accurate?

It peaks in prevalence at ages 21-22. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the characteristics of postformal thought as described by Piaget?

Relativistic thinking and consideration of multiple perspectives Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective method for losing or maintaining weight in early adulthood?

Aerobic exercise for 30 minutes each day Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do emerging adults face when transitioning to college?

Higher levels of independence and freedom Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is most important in determining success in early adulthood?

Family wealth and hard work Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary emotional regulation method that middle-aged adults with better self-control as children demonstrate?

Better stress mediation skills Signup and view all the answers

Which personality factor is associated with higher marital satisfaction and better GPA?

Conscientiousness Signup and view all the answers

What trend is observed in the personality of individuals from age 20 to midlife according to longitudinal studies?

Higher conscientiousness Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the 'Empty Nest Syndrome' typically have on marital satisfaction?

Often leads to increased satisfaction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the 'Squeezed Generation' phenomenon?

Adults caring for children and aging parents Signup and view all the answers

What does the trait of 'Neuroticism' correlate with according to personality studies?

Lower health outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the Big Five personality factors?

Stability Signup and view all the answers

What may lead to individuals distancing themselves from their partner?

Lower levels of sexual satisfaction Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason cited for delays in divorce among middle-aged adults?

Financial stability Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is typically associated with individuals exhibiting anxious attachment?

Higher levels of jealousy Signup and view all the answers

What is an ideal state of love according to Sternberg's Triangle of Love?

Consummate Love Signup and view all the answers

According to Erikson's theory, what is the primary psychosocial challenge faced during middle adulthood?

Generativity vs Stagnation Signup and view all the answers

What misconception about parenting suggests that a child will behave like their parents?

That children will develop personality traits solely based on genetics Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the Big Five personality model have on understanding individual differences?

It provides insight into personality variations among individuals Signup and view all the answers

In which phase of life do most significant personality changes occur according to studies?

20-40 years old Signup and view all the answers

Which group of divorced individuals is characterized as motivated to find new mates quickly?

The Seekers Signup and view all the answers

How has the average age of marriage changed over the decades?

It has increased over time Signup and view all the answers

What ranking do adults typically express related to feelings towards caring for aging parents?

Mixed feelings of joy and stress Signup and view all the answers

What factor is essential for maintaining intimacy according to the content?

Social connections Signup and view all the answers

The Big Five personality components operate in what manner?

They operate independently Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a misconception about having children?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What does the Matching Hypothesis refer to in romantic attraction?

Selecting partners who are close to one's own level of attractiveness Signup and view all the answers

What common pathway for exiting divorce involves becoming more self-fulfilled?

The Enhancers Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of gender differences in friendships suggests women tend to engage in?

Self-disclosure and connection Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of individuals classified as Competent Loners?

They are socially skilled and self-sufficient Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes first impressions based on attractiveness?

Formed in less than a second can be somewhat accurate Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of the increased age of childbirth?

Greater professional career involvement for women Signup and view all the answers

Which emotional state is associated with intimacy vs isolation in Erikson's theory?

Loneliness from lack of connections Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adulthood

Emerging adulthood: Ages 18-25, marked by first full-time job, economic independence, and personal responsibility. Other cultures might define adulthood differently.
Key features of emerging adulthood: Identity exploration, instability (frequent job/living changes), self-focus, feeling in-between, and optimism about the future.

Trends

Increased age of childbirth since 1970. Increased education and employment before childbirth.
Typically, depressive symptoms and self-esteem improve, whereas family wealth and hard work remain important indicators of success for young adults.
Non-normative events (teen pregnancy, etc.) force earlier adulthood.

Physical Development

Physical performance peaks before age 30.
Higher mortality rates in early adulthood than during adolescence are linked to unhealthy habits.
Inactivity, poor diet, and obesity increase substance abuse risks. 27% of adults were obese in 2011; 40% in 2020.
Obesity associated with health risks, including increased disease risk from unhealthy foods subsidized by government programs.

Cognitive Development

Adults use formal operational thought, but quantitatively knowledge increases.
Adults typically increase their knowledge in a specialized area.
Postformal thought includes reflectivity, relativism, and contextualism.
Emotions/feelings may cloud judgment and decisions.

Socioemotional Development

Temperament links to adult personality (easy temperament = better adjusted; more childhood inhibition = less assertive).
Adult attachment: attachment styles continue from childhood to adult romantic relationships.
Secure attachment predicted as a positive, close, and unstressed relationship.
Intimacy vs. Isolation: Young adults struggle with intimacy in relationships and social isolation.
Gender differences in friendships also exist (women more likely to maintain close friendships and engage in self disclosure; men are more likely to maintain distance in friendships.

Attraction

First impressions of attractiveness are reliable and made quickly (within 100ms).
Similarity of attitudes and behaviors are important factors in romantic relationships (consensual validation).
Physical attractiveness is often important to potential partners.
Sternberg's triangular theory of love describes love as having three aspects: passion, intimacy, and commitment.

Marriage and Parenting

Average age of marriage is increasing.
Parenting is increasingly viewed as a complex issue requiring training, not simply an instinct.
Challenges to marital relationships: Parenting, finances, or conflict.

Middle Adulthood

Rectangularization: Population pyramids become more rectangular, reflecting an increase in the proportion of older people due to longer life expectancy.
Increased stress and depression than previous generations.
Exercise and weight management are important.

Late Adulthood: Physical Development

Life expectancy increases over time.
Physical changes (vision loss, loss of hearing/smell/taste, loss of mobility) require accommodations.
Chronic diseases become more prevalent.
Risk of death increases from 75 and older due to chronic diseases like cancer, heart issues, etc.

Late Adulthood: Cognitive Development

Fluid intelligence (reasoning, abstract thinking) decreases.
Crystallized intelligence increases (accumulated knowledge and skills).
Cognitive processing speeds also decrease with age.
Memory function can change, especially working and episodic memory, but more implicit memory is maintained.

Integrity vs despair: Reflection on life and evaluating successes.
Happiness: Activity theory (active older adults are happier); socioemotional selectivity theory (prioritizing relationships); selective optimization with compensation theory (adjusting to age-related decline through selection, optimization, and compensation).
Dementia diagnoses are common.

Summary

Adult development is complex, multi-faceted, and influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Development does not end at adulthood and continues to late adulthood.
There are various changes associated with age, either positive or negative. Each stage has unique challenges and opportunities.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in the psychology of aging, including cognitive development, intelligence, and Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Test your knowledge on how aging affects sound perception, fluid intelligence, and the implications of generativity versus stagnation in adulthood.