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1 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Physical & Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood Chapter 15.

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Presentation on theme: "1 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Physical & Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood Chapter 15."— Presentation transcript:

1 1 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Physical & Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood Chapter 15

2 2 Did You Know… One-third to one-half of Americans in their late sixties and seventies think of themselves as middle aged? During the early 19 th century in Western culture, menopause was seen as a disease? Physical activity in midlife can increase the chances of remaining mobile in old age? Positive emotions and personality traits, such as hope, optimism, and conscientiousness, tend to predict good health and long life? Middle aged people who engage in complex work tend to show stronger cognitive performance than their peers? © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

3 3 Middle Age: A Social Construct No consensus on when it begins and ends – Your textbook defines it as 40-65 years No specific biological or social events that mark its boundaries In the U.S., middle-age is increasingly a state of mind – Many people in their sixties and seventies consider themselves middle-aged © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

4 4 The Aging Experience Most younger middle-aged adults see their lives as still needing improvement. Most older middle-aged adults are satisfied with most areas of life. – social, financial, health For most people, at least up until about age 75, aging is a positive experience. © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

5 5 Physical Changes Behavioral and lifestyle factors dating from youth can affect physical changes. People who are active early in life reap the benefits later in life. – ‘Use it or lose it! © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

6 6 Age-Related Visual Problems Near vision Sensitivity to light Speed of processing Loss of visual acuity © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

7 7 Hearing Loss: Presbycusis A gradual hearing loss – Rarely noticed in early life Speeds up in the fifties Affects sounds at pitches higher than speech © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

8 8 Other Physical Losses Sensitivity to taste and smell Sensitivity of touch and pain Strength and coordination Endurance  Decrease in basal metabolism Manual dexterity Tasks that involve choice of response © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

9 9 Changes in Appearance Skin may become less taut and smooth – Layer of fat becomes thinner Hair becomes thinner People sweat less – Sweat glands diminish Gain weight and lose height Lower bone density Vital capacity of lungs diminishes © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

10 10 Menopause When a woman permanently stops ovulating and menstruating No longer able to conceive a child On average at about 52 years – Perimenopause: 3-5 year slowing process before menopause – Estrogen and ova production decline beginning in mid 30s © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

11 11 Attitudes Toward Menopause In the US, most women view menopause positively Most express relief Many see it as a time of greater independence and personal growth © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

12 12 Symptoms of Menopause Many women experience little discomfort Most common are hot flashes – Only half of women experience Other symptoms: – Vaginal dryness, burning, itching – Sexual appetite remains © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

13 13 Exploding Menopause Myths The following have been shown NOT to be linked to this biological change: Irritability Nervousness Anxiety Depression Memory Loss © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

14 14 Box 15.1 Cultural Differences in Menopause Many women never experience symptoms Comparison with Japanese women – Menopause is not seen as medical condition – No word for “hot flash”. Aging is more accepted African American women have more positive feelings about menopause than Caucasian women More research needed © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

15 15 Changes in Male Sexuality No evidence to support ‘andropause’ or ‘male menopause’ Testosterone decreases slowly – About 1% per year after the 30s – No strong relationship between testosterone levels and sexual performance – Possible erectile dysfunction © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

16 16 Sexual Activity Satisfaction with sex life diminishes gradually during 40s and 50s Decline is related to: – Physical changes Chronic illness – Nonphysical changes Monotony in relationship Worries © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

17 17 Sexual Dysfunction A persistent disturbance in sexual desire or sexual response Forms of dysfunction: – Lack of interest – Painful intercourse – Difficulty in arousal – Premature ejaculation © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

18 18 Health in Middle Adulthood Most middle-aged Americans are healthy. – But low SES experience increasing health problems Most middle-aged people experience decline in energy levels. © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

19 19 Health Trends Hypertension - risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Can be controlled through: – Blood-pressure screening – Low-salt diets – Medication Heart Disease—leading cause of death between ages 45 and 64 Diabetes - doubled since 1990s © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

20 20 Behavioral Influences on Health Longer lives and shorter periods of disability are associated with: No smoking Avoiding overweight Regular exercise Low stress levels © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

21 21 SES and Health Lower SES people tend to have: Poorer health Lower life expectancy More activity limitations Lower well-being More restricted access to health care © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

22 22 African Americans and Health Overall death rates from cancer have declined, but not among African- Americans – Higher death rates from lung, colorectal, prostrate and breast cancer Hypertension is 50% more prevalent © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

23 23 Hispanic Americans and Health Increased incidence of: – Stroke – Liver disease – Diabetes – HIV infection – Cervix and stomach cancers – Homicide Less likely to have health insurance and regular health care © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

24 24 Gender and Health Women have longer life span Women seek health treatment more than men Gender gap in heart disease has reversed Women have greater risk after menopause of heart disease and osteoporosis © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

25 25 Health After Menopause: Osteoporosis Bones become brittle due to calcium depletion Can result in loss of height and ‘hunchback’ African American women less likely to develop Slowing osteoporosis: – Proper nutrition – Exercise – Avoidance of smoking © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

26 26 Breast Cancer 1 in 8 U.S. women develops breast cancer – Chance increases with age – 5-10% thought to be hereditary At risk: – Overweight women – Those who drink alcohol – Early menarche and late menopause – Family history of breast cancer – Poor diet and low physical activity © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

27 27 Hormone Replacement Therapy Artificial estrogen Benefits – Reduces menopause symptoms – Can prevent bone loss after menopause Risks: – Breast cancer – Heart attack – Stroke © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

28 28 Common Stressors Affecting Health Occupational stress and ‘burnout’ Unemployment Positive or negative change Illness Death of spouse or divorce Marriage © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

29 29 Emotions and Health Negative emotions often associated with poor physical and mental health – Anxiety – Despair Positive emotion may protect against the development of disease Not a causal relationship © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

30 30 Mental Health 1 in 4 women showed depressive symptoms Highest rates among African American and Hispanic American women Lowest rates among Chinese and Japanese American women Women with less education and poor women also more likely to have symptoms © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

31 31 Fluid Intelligence Ability to solve novel problems Requires little previous knowledge – Discovering a pattern in a set of figures Tends to decline with age © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

32 32 Crystallized Intelligence Ability to use information acquired over lifetime – Thinking of a synonym for a word Often improves throughout lifetime © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

33 33 Expertise Mature adults show increasing competence solving problems in their field © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

34 34 Post formal Thought: Integrative Thought Mature adults are better at integrating: Logic with intuition and emotion Conflicting facts and ideas New and old information © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

35 35 Creativity and Age Creativity develops over lifetime in a social context – Has no relationship to age © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

36 36 Age-Differentiated Roles: Traditional Life Structure Young people are students Middle-aged people are workers Older adults organize their lives around leisure and retirement © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

37 37 Work versus Early Retirement Phased retirement — Reducing work hours or days and phasing out retirement over a number of years Bridge employment — Switch to another company or line of work Many more people continue to work for both financial and emotional reasons © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

38 38 Work and Cognitive Development Seeking out mentally stimulating work helps the mind stay sharp. – Complex work stimulates flexible thinking. – Adaptability and self-management help improve cognitive abilities. © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

39 39 The Mature Learner Night courses, independent study help nontraditional students meet their goals: – Adapting to new technology and shifting job markets o Recertifying or trying to move up the career ladder – Some simply enjoy learning throughout their lives © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

40 40 Literacy Training 12% of U.S. adults cannot read documents well enough to succeed in today’s economy. Globally: – 774 million adults illiterate – About 1 in 5 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc


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