PSY 112 Adolescence, Adulthood, & Aging Lecture Notes PDF

P S Y 11 2 ADOLESCENCE, ADULTHOOD, & AGING LECTURE OVERVIEW Adolescence Theories of physical & psychological o Physical development aging o Cognitive development o Cellular-clock theory Piaget revisited...

P S Y 11 2 ADOLESCENCE, ADULTHOOD, & AGING LECTURE OVERVIEW Adolescence Theories of physical & psychological o Physical development aging o Cognitive development o Cellular-clock theory Piaget revisited o Wear-and-tear theory Moral development (Kohlberg’s o Free-radical theory levels of morality) o Activity theory o Psychosocial development Erikson revisited Stages of death & dying Parent-teen conflict o Kubler-Ross’ theory Adulthood and Aging o Physical development o Cognitive development o Psychosocial development Erikson revisited ADOLESCENCE ADOLESCENCE Physical Development ADOLESCENCE 13 to early 20s, teenage years but chronological age? End of adolescence may differ across individuals PUBERTY Onset of adolescence; capable of reproduction Physical changes (in primary and secondary sex characteristics) as sexual development peaks Primary sex characteristics Secondary sex characteristics growth of actual sex organs other bodily changes (breasts, (penis, uterus) body hair) ADOLESCENCE Physical Development PUBERTY (cont’d) Pituitary gland release hormones Thyroid gland – increases growth rate Adrenal and sex glands – stimulates growth of body hair, muscle tissue (males), menstrual cycles (females) Begins 2 years after growth spurt in 10y girls, 12y boys Puberty changes relatively complete after 4 years Brain development continues into early 20s (PFC fully developed by 25y) ADOLESCENCE Cognitive Development PIAGET’S FORMAL OPERATIONS Adolescents move into the formal operations stage PERSONAL FABLE IMAGINARY AUDIENCE Abstract thinking develops; thoughts about hypothetical Thought in which Belief that others are situations etc. adolescents believe as concerned about Egocentrism still present – in the themselves to be my thoughts and form of preoccupation with own unique and protected characteristics as me thoughts (PF, IA) from harm Extreme self- Such beliefs → risky consciousness; behaviours “everyone is looking at me” ADOLESCENCE Cognitive Development MORAL DEVELOPMENT Cognitive advances in understanding of right and wrong Kohlberg (1973) proposed 3 levels: Level of Morality How Rules are Understood Example Preconventional Based on the consequences A child who takes money from a (very young children) Actions get rewarded – right action parent’s wallet and does not get caught Actions get punished – wrong action does not see that action as wrong. Conventional An action is morally right if it A child scolds a parent for littering (older children, conforms to the rules of the because there is a sign saying not to do adolescents, and adults) society and wrong if it does not. so. Postconventional Determined by experiences and A husband helps his dying wife commit (about 1/5 of the adult judgement, even if the judgement suicide to end her pain, even though population) disagrees with society’s rules society considers that action to be murder. ADOLESCENCE Psychosocial Development Development of personality and social relationships in adolescence mainly focused on the search for sense of self/personal identity ERIKSON’S IDENTITY VS. ROLE CONFUSION Must choose among options for values and beliefs (e.g., political issues, career, marriage) Seeks to derive a consistent sense of self from chosen values/beliefs Success in resolution of earlier 4 stages linked to finding own identity during adolescence PARENT-TEEN CONFLICT Rebellion and conflict a necessity in breaking away from childhood dependence Conflicts mostly over trivial issues ADULTHOOD ADULTHOOD Physical Development ADULTHOOD Period of life from early 20s until old age and death (starting point is not exact) EMERGING ADULTHOOD Time from late adolescence through the 20s (mostly in developed countries) Childless, live with parents, not financially independent ADULTHOOD Physical Development PHYSICAL AGING Early Peak of physical and cognitive health 40s- Hearing loss begins 20s 50s 20s- Oil gland malfunction in neck/eyes and wrinkles in said areas 60s- Hearing loss noticeable; 30s 70s hearing aid? 30s Vision and hearing decline Weight increase (slowing of body Vision and hearing continue to decline functions, increased eating, less 40s Skin wrinkles, hair turns gray/hair loss, exercising) decline in physical strength Height decreases approx. 1/2 inch every 10y past 40 Sexual activity declines ADULTHOOD Physical Development MENOPAUSE ANDROPAUSE Cessation of ovulation & menstrual Gradual changes in sexual hormones cycles; end of reproductive capability by and reproductive system of middle-aged 51 males In 40s, women’s estrogen levels decline, o Testosterone decline “hot flashes” Starting 40s – fatigue, irritability, sexual Perimenopause – Period (5-10y) over functioning issues, reduced sperm which menopause changes occur count, etc. EFFECTS OF AGING ON HEALTH Middle age – health issues (usually resulting from causes during young adulthood) o High blood pressure, skin cancer, heart problems, arthritis, obesity, etc. ADULTHOOD Cognitive Development Intellectual abilities do not necessarily decline, but processing speed/reaction time may Middle-aged adults have more experience/knowledge Memory ability o Most noticeable change in middle-aged cognition o Difficulty in retrieval due to stresses and info required to process during middle-age Maintaining mental capabilities o Exercising mental abilities → delay memory problems, dementia, Alzheimer’s o Crosswords, reading, active social life, classes, physical activity, etc. ADULTHOOD Psychosocial Development ERIKSON’S INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION: FORMING RELATIONSHIPS Primary task in young adulthood → finding a mate Intimacy Isolation Emotional and psychological Those who have difficulty trusting, closeness; trust, share, care while unsure of own identities → isolation maintaining sense of self instead of intimacy Loneliness, shallow relationships, fear for real intimacy (reflect on reasons for divorce) ADULTHOOD Psychosocial Development ERIKSON’S GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION: PARENTING Focus now turned outwards toward others Generativity Stagnation Parenting the next generation; Unable to focus outward (still dealing helping them through crises with prior psychosocial crises) o Educators, supervisors, health- o e.g., frequent reliance on others to care professionals, doctors, care for one’s children community volunteers, etc. ADULTHOOD PARENTING STYLES (Baumrind, 1967) Psychosocial Development AUTHORITATIVE PERMISSIVE INDULGENT Combines firm limits with love, warmth, Too involved; allows any behaviours without affection, and respect limits Listen to child’s perspective; more democratic Lacks emphasis on obedience Non-physical punishment Outcomes: *Similar to permissive neglectful Outcomes: Self-reliant, independent AUTHORITARIAN Overly concerned with rules PERMISSIVE NEGLECTFUL Stern, rigid, controlling, uncompromising Uninvolved with their children Demands perfection Allows children to do whatever they want Tendency to use physical punishment Outcomes: Selfish, immature, dependent, poor Outcomes: Insecure, withdrawn, resentful, social skills, unpopular * rebellious against parental authority, delinquency, etc. ADULTHOOD Psychosocial Development DEMANDINGNESS HIGH LOW HIGH AUTHORITATIVE PERMISSIVE INDULGENT RESPONSIVENESS LOW AUTHORITARIAN PERMISSIVE NEGLECTFUL AGING ADULTHOOD Psychosocial Development ERIKSON’S EGO INTEGRITY VS. DESPAIR: DEALING WITH MORTALITY Sense of urgency due to physical aging and approaching end of life Life review – process of reflecting/looking back on life; deal with mistakes, regrets, unfinished business, etc. Ego integrity Despair If perceive life to be full, meaningful, If many regrets and unfinished able to come to terms with business regrets/losses ADULTHOOD Theories of Physical and Psychological Aging Theories of aging: Focus on biological changes in cellular structure Focus on influence of external stressors WEAR-AND-TEAR THEORY Emphasis on external influences – stress, physical exertion, bodily damage, etc. Organs and cell tissues wear out with repeated use/abuse Accumulation of damaged tissues – e.g., collagen “wears out” → skin sagging/wrinkling ADULTHOOD Theories of Physical and Psychological Aging CELLULAR-CLOCK THEORY Cells have a limit in no. of times they can reproduce to repair damage Telomeres shorten each time cells reproduce; if too short, cannot reproduce → damage accumulates → aging Telomeres ADULTHOOD Theories of Physical and Psychological Aging FREE RADICAL THEORY Latest version of wear-and-tear theory (gives biological explanation for cell damage over time) Free radicals – oxygen molecules with an unstable electron; bounces around the cell causing damage to the cell internally More and more free radicals following aging, causing more damage ACTIVITY THEORY Adjusts positively to aging if remaining active and involved in life Volunteering, hobbies, social life, etc. → happier/longer lives ADULTHOOD Stages of Death and Dying KÜBLER-ROSS’ (1997) THEORY OF DEATH AND DYING People go through 5 stages of reaction when faced with death DENIAL ANGER BARGAINING DEPRESSION ACCEPTANCE Refusal to Anger at death Attempts to Sadness from Accepts reality believe itself make deals losses (both diagnosis of (with doctors, experienced Quietly awaits death is real Helplessness God, etc.) and yet to death come) ADULTHOOD Stages of Death and Dying CRITICISMS Progression through all stages is not universal May not go through all stages, or same order Process of dying may not be “linear”; more accurately a series of ups and downs Experiences are unique, unpredictable – influenced by cause of incoming death, personality, life history, etc. Summary Adolescence Theories of physical & psychological o Physical development aging o Cognitive development o Cellular-clock theory Piaget revisited o Wear-and-tear theory Moral development (Kohlberg’s o Free-radical theory levels of morality) o Activity theory o Psychosocial development Erikson revisited Stages of death & dying Parent-teen conflict o Kubler-Ross’ theory Adulthood and Aging o Physical development o Cognitive development o Psychosocial development Erikson revisited