Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Development Through the Lifespan Chapter 15 Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood This multimedia product

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004

Development Through the Lifespan

Chapter 15

Physical and Cognitive Development inMiddle Adulthood

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Vision and Hearing Changes in Middle Adulthood

Vision Presbyopia

Problems reading small print Bifocals if nearsighted

Difficulties in dim light Reduced color discrimination Glaucoma risk

Hearing Presbycus

Most loss in high tones Hearing aids can help


Skin Changes in Middle Adulthood Wrinkles

Forehead – starting in 30s Crow’s Feet

Sagging Face, arms, legs

Age Spots After age 20

Faster with sun exposure, for women


Muscle-Fat Makeupin Middle Adulthood

Middle-age spread common – fat gain in torso Men: upper abdomen, back Women: waist, upper arms

Very gradual muscle declines Low-fat, calorie-reduced diet

and exercise can help


Menopause Average age 51

Ranges from 42–58, 10–year climacteric period

Physical & psychological symptoms Hot flashes, headaches, sleep loss,

slower sexual response Interpretation affects adjustment

Hormone Replacement Therapy controversial Lifestyle, diet options


Male Reproductive Changesin Middle Adulthood

Reduced sperm and semen after 40

Gradual testosterone reduction Sexual activity stimulates

production Erection Problems

Stress, alcohol, heart or other diseases increase

Viagra


Sexuality in Middle Adulthood Slight drop in frequency among

married couples Continue patterns from early adulthood More sex in good marriages

Intensity of response declines Slower arousal; partner may seem less

attractive

Gender differences More women with no partners; lack of

opportunity


Leading Causes of Deathin Middle Adulthood


Cancer Sites in the Body


Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms

Heart attack Angina pectoris – chest pain Arrhythmia

Risk Conditions High blood cholesterol High blood pressure Atherosclerosis


Osteoporosis Bones more porous; lose bone mass

Men: 8–12% Women: up to 50%

Menopause estrogen drop speeds bone loss

Bone breaks can be life-threatening

Prevention, treatment: Diet – vitamin D, calcium Weight-bearing exercise Hormone therapy for women at low cancer risk


Hostility and Health

Expressed Hostility Frequent angry outbursts Rudeness, contempt Disagreeable verbal and nonverbal

behavior Health Effects

Cardiovascular problems Depression and dissatisfaction Health complaints, illnesses


Stress Management

Problem-Centered Coping Identify and

appraise problems Choose and

implement potential solutions

Emotion-Centered Coping

Control distress when problem can’t be solved


Hardiness Control

Regard most experiences as controllable

Commitment Find interest and meaning

in daily activities Challenge

View as normal part of life, chance for growth


Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence

Fluid Depends on basic

information processing skills: Detecting relationships

among stimuli Analytical speed Working memory

Crystallized Skills that depend on:

Accumulated knowledge Experience Good judgment Master of social

conventions Valued by person’s

culture


Longitudinal Trends in Six Mental Abilities


Verbal and Performance IQ


Individual and Group Factors in High Intelligence Scores

Lifestyle High education Complex job or leisure Lasting marriage High SES

Personal Flexible personality Healthy Sex Cohort Perceptual speed


Age-Related Slowing ofCognitive Processing

Neural Network View

Neurons in brain die Brain forms new

connections New connections are

less efficient

Information-Loss View

Information lost at each step through cognitive system

Whole system slows down to inspect information


Coping with Age-Related Cognitive Slowing

Factual Knowledge Procedural

Knowledge Metacognitive

Knowledge


Practical Problem Solving and Expertise Practical Problem Solving

Evaluate real-world situations Achieve goals that have high uncertainty

Expertise Efficient, effective approaches to solving

problems, including practical problems Organized around abstract principles Result of years of experience


Vocational Life and Cognitive Development

Cognitive and personality characteristics affect job choice

Once in job, it affects cognition Complex work increases

cognitive flexibility


Becoming a Student in Midlife

40% of North American college students over age 25

58% are women Reasons diverse

Job change, better income Life transition Personal achievement, self-enrichment

Concerns about handling class work, balancing demands outside school

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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Development Through the Lifespan Chapter 15 Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood This multimedia product