Chapter 12:

1. Chapter 12: Midlife

2. Midlife: The Exploring Personality Looking at the averages People basically stay the same The Big Five traits are basically set by age 30 Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness, Extraversion, Conscientiousness However, major life circumstances can throw a trait off New life stages and life changing experiences can radically change us. According to Erikson, people in midlife find meaning from nurturing the next generation, caring for others, or enriching the lives of others through their work. Generativity vs. Stagnation As we get older, we grow more confident and competent and cope better with stress.

3. Expression The way we express our traits can vary greatly. An extrovert may end up as: A teacher A politician An actor Simply defining a person by their traits is equivalent to ethnic gloss. Maybe we could call it personality-gloss, which hides a person�s uniqueness in a trait label.

4. Generativity Erikson�s seventh stage: Generativity vs. Stagnation Research finds generative activities are similar among all ages. However, generative priorities are different at distinct ages. Generative people say they are living a meaningful life. are also somewhat more satisfied with their lives.

5. Becoming Generative How does one become generative? Commitment scripts From a young age pursuing generative activities Redemption scripts When tragedy is turned around for the best How does one miss out on generativity? Contamination sequences create stagnation When wonderfully joyous events turn tragic Dealing badly with adversity Unable to take adversity and use it for positive growth

6. Generativity: Gender and Culture Gender Women feel generative through child care roles Men feel generative through the breadwinner role Culture African-Americans are overrepresented in the group of exceptionally generative people. Traditional collectivist cultures program generativity into the structure of living. In our individualistic society, we have the freedom to carve out the unique generative path.

7. Maturity with Age Research with Harvard and Mills students Coping and defense mechanisms matured with age Young adults: cope with upsetting events with immature strategies Older years: cope with upsetting events using more mature styles

8. Exploring Intelligence WAIS - The IQ test for adults Same format as WISC, the standard IQ test for children Verbal, math and timed skills are tested The Seattle Longitudinal (Sequential) Study A lengthy study charting the effect of age on intelligence

9. Exploring Intelligence Results of the Seattle Study We reach our peak performance between 40 and 55 Crystallized intelligence - consists of a person�s knowledge base or store house of accumulated information Fluid intelligence - ability to quickly master new intellectual activities Overall intelligence - is your IQ, or a factor of both crystallized and fluid intelligence

10. Intelligence and Vocation Interactions Jobs based on fluid intelligence and physical skills are good for the young 30�s Although a high level of crystallized intelligence can compensate for a loss in fluid capabilities Jobs based on crystallized intelligence can expand into old age performance is best in the late 50�s to early 60�s World class brains outshine everyone else throughout the lifespan

11. IQ Stability To keep your skills into older age: Keep your heart healthy Stay in good physical shape Exercise your mind Complex jobs create intellectual flexibility Routine jobs correlate to earlier then normal declines Pick up hobbies such as reading and attending lectures Anything that challenges the mind keeps it sharp Terminal Drop is a dramatic loss in verbal skills prior to a life threatening illness

12. Selective Optimization When older brains slow - how do we cope? Selective optimization with compensation Select activities that are most important Don�t try to do everything you used to do Optimize your performance In the selected tasks, work harder to improve Compensate using what�s available Find external aids to help you

13. Midlife Roles and Issues Grandparenthood Family watchdogs child care, safety net, stabilizer, mediator, anchor for the extended family, family news reporter Care giving and custodial grandparents 6% of U.S. children are in grandparent headed households

14. Midlife Roles and Issues Grandparent involvement: Grandmothers tend to be more involved than grandfathers. Proximity is a determining factor Metropolitan (mobile) communities vs. rural communities Maternal grandparents are usually closer and more involved Age is a determining factor Younger grandparents are more active Grandparents are not usually involved in: Discipline Child raising values Divorce Separates paternal grandparents from their grandchildren if the wife gets custody - which is the usual case Maternal grandparents May get too involved - especially if they become custodial

15. Midlife Roles and Issues Parents in middle age: The sandwich generation We are waiting longer to have children Our children are not grown before our parents get old We are caring for both our parents and our children We feel intergenerational solidarity The obligations we have to both younger and older generations Some traditional cultures demanded parent care Traditions are changing and parent care is lapsing Most care is performed by the daughter and daughter-in-law This can interfere with: Work, child rearing or grandchild care, retirement plans, and elderly disabled spouse care.

16. Midlife Roles and Issues Close relations as a teenager makes caring for parents an easier situation to deal with. The severity of the older person�s problems affects the levels of stress to the caregiver. Can lead to senior abuse Knowledge about the poor state of nursing facilities in the U.S. makes the decision to place parents stressful. Weigh one�s ability to care against their medical needs

17. Midlife Body Image Young women feel worse about their bodies than middle age adults. Related to an unattainable mass media shaped image Age and the advent of grey hair and wrinkles gives the middle aged trepidation about the future. At 40, I knew there were lots of 80-year-olds At 50, I knew there are very few 100-year-olds No matter how good you look, it is not possible to deny mid-life at 50 One of the biggest concerns at this time is the loss of the sexual self.

18. Sex and Menopause Men reach their sexual peak in their twenties By midlife: Ejaculation becomes less intense for men Men need more time to recuperate Billion dollar market of erection stimulating remedies; ie. Viagra Women reach their sexual peak in their thirties By midlife: They feel less sexual than men They get less nurturing signals of sexuality Their bodies may change, making intercourse uncomfortable Menopause arrives

19. Menopause At around age 50 estrogen levels drop Ovulation begins to wind down � perimenopause Hot flashes may occur Mood swings can occur Vaginal walls thin and lubrication decreases Sex may become painful Defining marker: not having menstruated for a year Some women find sex more exciting after 50 No more care about pregnancy No more periods to work around

20. Menopause

21. Passion over 50