Adulthood

Physical Changes Culture bound ideas of old Eastern—respect for elderly—getting old accepted and welcomed Western—young is in—plastic surgery big business All physical abilities essentially peak by our mid twenties Athletes generally first to notice

Physical Milestones Menopause: the natural ending of a woman’s ability to reproduce. There are physical symptoms led by a lack of estrogen. What psychological effects can menopause have? Men do not experience anything like menopause. Gradual decline in production of sperm & testosterone level, speed of erection & ejaculation (erectile dysfunction) Psychological effects?

Life Expectancy Life Expectancy keeps increasing- now about 75. Women outlive men by about 4 years.

Sensory Abilities

Health Bad news: is as we get older our immune system weakens, thus we become more susceptible to life threatening ailments (cancer). Good News: because older build up a collection of antibodies through- out the years, they get minor colds less often.

Age and Driving The brain processes information at slower speeds.

Alzheimer’s Disease Acetylcholine A progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, language and physical functioning. Runs its course in 5 to 20 years. Deterioration of neurons that produce the neurotransmitter…. Acetylcholine Estrogen supplements may stop the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Cognitive Changes We tend to remember events from our teens and twenties. Difference between recognition and recall. Recognition remains stable. Recall declines with old age.

Do old people get stupid? Cross-sectional studies show decline. Longitudinal Studies show consistency. What is the difference? Cross-sectional studies: study with people of different ages studied at the same time. Longitudinal Studies: same people studied and retested over a period of time.

But there are different types of intelligence. Crystallized intelligence: one’s accumulated knowledge and verbal skills; tends to increase with age. Fluid Intelligence: one’s ability to reason speedily and abstractly; tends to decrease during late adulthood.

Social Development of Adults Social Clock the culturally preferred timing of social events marriage parenthood retirement Social Clock the culturally preferred timing of social events marriage parenthood retirement

Four Psychological Characteristics of Healthy, Happy Older People Optimism, hope, and interest in the future Gratitude and forgiveness; an ability to focus on what is good in life Empathy; an ability to share the feelings of others and see the world through their eyes Connection with others; an ability to reach out, to give and receive social support

Happy Seniors Negative emotions are more common before age 50 than after. The frequency of positive feelings tends to increase from midlife on into old age.

Happiness Subjective Well-Being: Feelings of well-being occur when people are satisfied with their lives, have frequent positive emotions, and have relatively few negative emotions Happier people tend to be Married Comfortable with their work Extraverted Religious Generally optimistic and satisfied with their lives

Death and Dying; Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Ross was a thanatologist: One who studies emotional and behavioral reactions to death and dying Ross described five basic reactions to death that occur, not necessarily in the following order or experienced by everyone Not in our text but important for the AP Exam

Five Basic Reactions to Death (Kubler-Ross) Denial and Isolation: Denying death’s reality and isolating oneself from information confirming that death will occur. “It’s a mistake; the doctors are wrong.” Anger: Asking “why me?” Anger may then be projected onto the living Bargaining: Terminally ill will bargain with God or with themselves. “If I can live longer I’ll be a better person.” Depression: Feelings of futility, exhaustion and deep sadness Acceptance: If death is not sudden, many will accept death calmly. Person is at peace finally with the concept of death

Bereavement and Grief Bereavement: Period of adjustment that follows death of loved one Grief: Intense sorrow and distress following death of loved one Shock: Emotional numbness experienced after death of loved one Pangs of Grief: Intense and anguished yearning for one who has died Resolution: Acceptance of loss and need to build a new life

Attitudes Toward Death Hospice: Medical facility or program that provides supportive care for terminally ill; goal is to improve person’s final days Living Will: Written statement that a person does not wish to have his/her life artificially prolonged if terminally ill; a “Do Not Resuscitate” order to doctors Euthanasia: mercy killing of the terminally ill Doctor assisted suicide: Dr. Kevorkian—what do you think?