Developmental Psychology Applied to Aging

1. 1 Developmental Psychology Applied to Aging

2. Introduction • Field of adult development and aging – a relatively new and rapidly-growing area in psychology • Aging process better understood due to: • Recent advances in technology • Increases in computing power • Increasing number of older adults

3. An Aging Population • Rapidly growing population of older adults has societal and personal effects

4. Figure 1.1 Predictions Based on U.S. Census Bureau DataFederal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. (2006, May). Older Americans Update 2006: Key Indicators ofWell-Being. Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

5. Challenging Issues • Changes in age distribution will effect many industries – health care, insurance, housing, transportation • Lack of research – some topics are emphasized, while others are overlooked/neglected • less emphasis on young and middle-aged adults • later adults have received more emphasis • balanced approach needed

6. Challenging Issues • Highlighting commonalities and diversities between younger and older populations

7. A Psychological Approach to Adult Development and Aging • Different approaches to study adult development and aging: • Psychology - scientific study of mental and behavioral processes • Developmental psychology - study of ways individuals change as they age • Adult development and aging - study of normal or typical ways mental and behavioral processes change with age beyond adolescence

8. A Multidisciplinary andMultifaceted Endeavor • Consider combined approaches of various disciplines: • Psychology - individual characteristics that influence behavior • Sociology - societal factors that influence behavior • Anthropology - cultural heritage and background that influence behavior

9. The DevelopmentalPsychological Perspective • Current research emphasizes 4 areas of study of adult development and aging: • Stasis – studying stable aspects • Change – that occurs with age • Decline – functional decline • Growth-based – positive areas

10. Positive and Realistic Approach • Positive Psychology – approach emphasizes individual’s strengths, resilient qualities • fosters productive coping, personal growth, life-satisfaction, well-being • Optimal aging – adjusting and coping well with life changes • emphasizes physical and psychological adjustment

11. Multiple Dimensions of Age • Developmental psychologists segment age as follows: • young adulthood: 18 or 20 years to 40-45 years • middle adulthood: 40-45 years to 60-65 years • late adulthood: 60-65 to end of life • Late adulthood further segmented • young-old: 60-65 to 74 • old-old: 75 to 84 • oldest-old: 85+

12. Multiple Dimensions of Age • European scholars divide older ages differently: • Adulthood-pre-retirement: second age • Pre-retirement-oldest old: third age • End of life: fourth age

13. Functional Age • Chronological age: age in weeks or months – more useful when considering child development • Normative age-graded influences: typical events/influences strongly related to age • Functional age: a useful concept of age in adulthood; comprises of physical and cognitive abilities

14. Functional Age • Biological age: An individual’s health when compared to others of the same chronological age (physical well-being) • Biomarkers: bodily functions • Psychological age: individual’s ability to cope and adjust to changes in environment when compared to others of same chronological age

15. Functional Age • Social age: comparing social roles and expectations with those of the same chronological age

16. Theoretical Approaches to Adult Development and Aging • Biological Theories • Influenced by neuropsychology (biopsychology or behavioral neuroscience) • Emphasize biological foundations of thoughts and behaviors

17. Table 1.2 Examples of Biological Theories of Aging

18. Connectionist Approaches • Emphasizes the role of cognitive psychology • Utilize: • latest technologies to observe neuronal activity and brain changes with age • Sophisticated software for mathematical modeling of cognitive processes • Artificial intelligence software for simulating human learning and development

19. Connectionist Approaches • Proposed development involves making associations between basic items or pieces of information, “units” to form a network of associations • Connecting units results in a gradual process requiring repetition • Distinct networks form over time

20. Connectionist Approaches • Approach helpful in understanding peak performance and decline in various aspects of brain functioning • Imitating human cognition with software allows researchers to make predictions and test models • Helpful in designing therapies • Helpful in computer-simulating brain functions without causing harm to humans

21. Sociocultural Theories • Emphasize social, cultural, societal forces in shaping human development • Bronfenbrenner developed bioecological model: • Development outcome of interactions between genetics and environment • Model layered: • Inner layers – direct impact on the individual • Outer layers – indirect impact on the individual

22. Sociocultural Theories • Bronfenbrenner developed bioecological model: • Model layered: • Microsystem: interpersonal relations and immediate settings of an individual • Mesosystem: groups of microsystems; one relationship affects another • Exosystem: distant influences

23. Sociocultural Theories • Bronfenbrenner developed bioecological model: • Model layered: • Macrosystem: unwritten cultural, societal roles, norms • Chronosystem: changes in the personal, interpersonal, social, cultural influences over time

24. Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Theory (SOC) • Developed by Baltes et al., 1999 • Theory – a model of adaptation

25. Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Theory (SOC) • Describes ways in which individuals manage gains and losses in each phase of life • Selection: • loss-based selection – accepting facts about old age • elective selection – determining one’s needs, goals • Optimization: proactively optimizing resources available

26. Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Theory (SOC) • Describes ways in which individuals manage gains and losses in each phase of life • Compensation: for losses that come with age • Optimization and compensation work together to support selected needs and goals