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Physical and Cognitive

Development in Middle Adulthood

Chapter 15

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Chapter Outline

• The nature of middle adulthood• Physical development• Cognitive development• Careers, work, and leisure• Religion, spirituality, and meaning in life


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The Nature of Middle Adulthood

• Changing midlife– As adults become older, their age identity is

younger than their chronological age– An increasing percentage of the population is

made up of middle-aged and older adults• “Rectangularization” of the age distribution


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• Defining middle adulthood– Middle adulthood: 40–45 years of age to about

60–65 years of age– Declining physical skills and increasing

responsibility– Awareness of the young-old polarity– Transmitting something meaningful to the next

generation– Reaching and maintaining career satisfaction


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• Defining middle adulthood– Gains and losses and biological and sociocultural

factors balance each other– Late midlife (55 to 65) is likely to be characterized

by:• Death of a parent• Last child leaving the parental home• Becoming a grandparent• Preparation for and actual retirement


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Physical Development

• Physical changes– Visible signs• Wrinkling and sagging of skin• Appearance of aging spots• Hair becomes thinner and grayer• Nails become thicker and more brittle• Yellowing of teeth


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• Physical changes– Height and weight• Individuals lose height and gain weight• Being overweight is a critical health problem in middle

adulthood


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• Physical changes– Strength, joints, and bones• Sarcopenia - Age-related loss of muscle mass and

strength• Cushions for bone movement become less efficient

– Leading to joint stiffness and more difficulty in movement

• Progressive bone loss


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• Physical changes– Vision and hearing• Accommodation of the eye - Ability to focus and

maintain an image on the retina– Experiences sharp declines between 40–59 years

• Difficulty viewing close objects• Reduced blood supply decreases visual field• Hearing can start to decline by the age of 40• High-pitched sounds are typically lost first


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• Physical changes– Cardiovascular system• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and

cardiovascular disease• Metabolic syndrome: Hypertension, obesity, and

insulin resistance• Exercise, weight control, and a diet rich in fruits,

vegetables, and whole grains can often help


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• Physical changes– Lungs• Lung tissue becomes less elastic at about age 55,

decreasing the lung’s capacity

– Sleep• Wakeful periods become more frequent in the 40’s• Sleep-disordered breathing and restless legs syndrome


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• Health, disease, stress, and control– Chronic disorders: Slow onset and a long duration• Rare in early adulthood but increase in middle age

– Stress and disease• The immune system and stress• Stress and the cardiovascular system• Culture and health

– Control• Peaks in midlife then declines in late adulthood


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• Mortality rates– Chronic diseases are the main cause of death

during middle adulthood • Heart disease• Cancer


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• Sexuality– Climacteric: Midlife transition in which fertility

declines– Menopause: Cessation of a woman’s menstrual

periods• During the late forties or early fifties

– Perimenopause - Transitional period from normal menstrual periods to no menstrual periods at all


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• Sexuality– Menopause• Hot flashes, nausea, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat

– Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)


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• Sexuality– Hormonal changes in middle-aged men• Decline in sexual hormone level and activity• Erectile dysfunction: Inability to achieve and maintain

an erection


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– Sexual attitudes and behavior• Sexual activity occurs less frequently than in early

adulthood– Middle-aged men are more interested in sex than middle-

aged women

• Living with a spouse or partner makes all the difference in terms of engaging in sexual activity


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Figure 15.2 - The Sex in America Survey: Frequency of Sex at Different Points in Adult Development


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Cognitive Development

• Intelligence– Crystallized intelligence: Accumulated information

and verbal skills• Continues to increase in middle adulthood

– Fluid intelligence: Ability to reason abstractly• May begin to decline in middle adulthood


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Figure 15.3 - Fluid and Crystallized Intellectual Development Across the Life Span


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• Intelligence– The Seattle Longitudinal Study - Extensive

evaluation of intellectual abilities during adulthood

– Classified participants as: • Decliners, stable and gainers for:

– Number ability, delayed recall , and word fluency


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Figure 15.4 - Longitudinal Changes in Six Intellectual Abilities from Age 25 to age 95


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Figure 15.5 - Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Comparisons of Intellectual Change in Middle Adulthood


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• Information processing– Speed of information processing• Reaction-time task• Causes for the decline in speed

– Levels of analysis– Cognitive– Neuroanatomical– Neurochemical


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– Memory• Verbal memory declines during middle adulthood • Linked to changes in working memory and ineffective

memory strategies


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• Information processing– Expertise• Rely on accumulated experience• Process information automatically and analyze it more

efficiently• Have better strategies and shortcuts to solving

problems• Are more creative and flexible in solving problems

– Practical problem solving


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Careers, Work, and Leisure

• Work in midlife– The role of work is central during middle age– In the U.S., about 80% of people aged 40-59 years

of age are employed– A time of evaluation, assessment, and reflection

about work


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• Career challenges and changes– Challenges• Globalization of work• Rapid developments in information technologies• Downsizing organizations• Early retirement• Pensions and health care

– Changes• Self-motivated• Consequence of losing one’s job


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• Leisure– Pleasant times after work • When individuals are free to pursue activities and

interests of their own choosing

– Changes may produce expanded opportunities for leisure


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Religion, Spirituality, and Meaning in Life

• Religion, spirituality, and adult lives– Religion: Organized set of beliefs, practices,

rituals, and symbols: • Increases an individual’s connection to a sacred or

transcendent other

– Religiousness: Degree to which an individual is affiliated with an organized religion• Participates in prescribed rituals and practices• Feels a sense of connection with its beliefs• Involved in a community of believers


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Religion, Spirituality, and Meaning in Life

• Religion, spirituality, and adult lives– Spirituality: Experiencing something beyond

oneself in a transcendent manner • Living in a way that benefits others and society


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Figure 15.6 - Level of Spirituality in Four Adult Age Periods


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Religion and Meaning in Life

• Religion, spirituality and health– Religion is positively linked to health– Religious commitment helps to:• Moderate blood pressure and hypertension


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• Meaning in life– Emphasized each person’s uniqueness and the

finiteness of life– According to Frankl, the three most distinct

human qualities are:• Spirituality• Freedom• Responsibility


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– According to Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs the four main needs are:• Need for purpose• Need for values• Need for a sense of efficacy• Need for self-worth
