Chapter 5 The Life Course

Memory and Intelligence The process of remembering as a series of steps: –Perception of information –Acting on information and transforming it in some way –Storage of information © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Memory and Intelligence Most testing done in laboratory –Allows researcher to control for variables –Usually cross-sectional When different parts of IP model are studied –Little age difference in sensory or primary memory © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Memory and Intelligence Much age-related memory decline due to decreased processing speed –Earlier tasks slow later activity –Information from earlier tasks lost as more recent tasks performed –More message “travel time” needed due to changes in neural network © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Memory and Intelligence The Psychometric Perspective –Lab comparisons of older and younger people –Until 1960s, used cross-sectional Showed peak intelligence around age 30, then decline –Later, longitudinal studies found much slower decline © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Memory and Intelligence Fluid intelligence –Begins decline around age 14 Crystallized intelligence –Increases through adulthood –Declines after about age 70 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Memory and Intelligence Cross Sectional –Compare young and old at one point in time –Confounds age and cohort Longitudinal –Compares results for same study participants over time © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

New Models of Mental Ability in Later Life : Baltes and Others The Study of Wisdom in Later Life Paul Baltes –Cognition in later life more complex than age differences in overall decline Berlin Wisdom Project Found in several wisdom studies © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

New Models: Developmental Intelligence Cohen (2005) Developmental Intelligence –An advanced style of cognition characterized by Relativistic thinking Dualistic thinking Systematic thinking © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

New Models: Developmental Intelligence Plasticity and Cognitive Reserve Stimulating the Brain for Growth in Later Life An Effective Training Program Physical Exercise and the Brain Summary of Findings on Aging and Mental Potential © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Creativity Creativity as Measured by Great Works Creativity as Personal Expression Older people often lack the opportunity to express themselves creatively Creativity can take place at any age The most creative people learn throughout life © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Personality Development: Stage Models Erikson’s Life Course Model –A fixed set of stages for the life course –Stages unfold over time –Each stage has a challenge with a positive and negative pole –Healthy personalities achieve the positive pole and have resources to tackle challenge © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Personality Development: Self- Development in Later Life Challenges to the Self in Later Life –Societal attitudes toward older people –Physical decline –Loss of social roles –Ageism © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Personality Development: Self- Development in Later Life Personal Growth Despite Challenges –Friends and family –High quality of life despite physical change –Subjective well-being despite health –Growth potential in face of loss –New roles © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Spirituality: The Search for Meaning in Later Life Strong connection to religious communities –Continuity –Collective and individual memories Attendance may decline, but spirituality stays strong –A unique time for inner growth and discovery © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Psychological Change: Disengagement Theory Decreased interaction is mutually beneficial to society and older person Origin –Allows older people to withdraw as strength declines Critique –Supports negative stereotypes of older people © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Psychological Change: Activity Theory Older people have same needs as middle- aged Disengagement happens against older person’s will Origin –Kansas City Studies of Adult Life – 1960s © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Psychological Change: Continuity Theory Continuity over the life course –Viewing later life change within existing pattern of thought or behavior Origin –Gerontologist, Robert Atchley Critique –No specific critique © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Psychological Change: The Life Course Perspective A grand view of the life cycle The individual is linked to the social environment Growth through –Social roles; Stages; Social institutions; History More complex than singular theories © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 5.1 Life Span Development © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Structure of the Life Course: Life Events The challenge of change Transition between stages Cultural guideposts –Nonnormative can strain resources –Normative History-Graded –Normative Age-Graded © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Abnormal Aging Organic Disorders: Cognitive Impairment in Later Life Some symptoms –Confusion –Forgetfulness –Anti-social behavior –Wandering –Striking out –Resisting help from caregivers © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Abnormal Aging Organic Disorders: Cognitive Impairment in Later Life Alzheimer’s Disease Difficult to diagnose as AD No clear cause No current treatment Much research being done to find cause, treatment, cure © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Abnormal Aging Functional Disorders: Loneliness Loneliness is –Dissatisfaction with the quantity or quality of social relationships Not the same as social isolation Is risk for health or other problems Personal may feel lonely, even with social contacts © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Abnormal Aging Functional Disorders: Loneliness What can reduce feelings of loneliness? –Social occasions and gatherings –Regular activities, such as attending meal programs –Children –Pets –Technology © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Abnormal Aging Functional Disorders: Depression and Suicide Suicide among older people –Decreased by ½ But highest suicide rate is among older people Highest rate in the United States Rate probably underestimated © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 5.2 Death Rates for Suicide, Age 65 and over, 2006 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.