Chapter 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

1. Chapter 15:  Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

2. Changing Middle Age As longevity continues to increase Definitions of �middle-age� keep changing Middle-aged adults lead healthier and more active lives than any other generation in history Each year, about 3 million Americans who have turned 50 join AARP The median age of the U.S. population will shift from 33 in 1990 to 42 by 2050

3. Middle-aged baby boomers are of interest because Of their increased numbers They are the best educated cohorts in history They are the most affluent cohort in history For many, middle age is a time for A decline of physical skills Increasing responsibility Transmitting knowledge to the next generation Reaching and maintaining career satisfaction Balancing work and relationships A reassessment of life�s priorities

4. Noticeable midlife physical changes include Wrinkling and sagging of skin Appearance of aging spots Hair becomes thinner and grayer Nails become thicker and more brittle with ridges Yellowing of teeth Being middle-aged is perceived as positive for men and negative for women Height shrinks in middle age, and many gain weight � a critical health problem in middle adulthood Physical Development

5. Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength can be reduced by regular exercise Joint stiffness and difficulty of movement usually accompany a progressive loss of bone in middle age The sharpest decline in vision occurs between ages 40 and 59 as the eye�s blood supply diminishes Hearing starts to decline about age 40, with men losing sensitivity to high-pitched sounds earlier than women

7. Midlife is often a time for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease At menopause, a woman�s blood pressure rises sharply, remaining higher than that of men into the later years At about age 55, lung tissue becomes less elastic; nonsmokers have the best lung capacity Sleep has more wakeful periods, with more time spent lying in bed � more tiredness in the mornings

9. Only 7% of people in their early 40s have disabilities, compared with 16% in their early 50s and 30% in their early 60s Chronic disorders are Rare in early adulthood but increase in middle age Characterized by slow onset and long duration Men have higher rates of fatal chronic conditions while women have higher rates of nonfatal chronic conditions Stress is a key factor in disease, especially if cumulative

10. Acute stressors cause poor immune system functioning, but chronic stressors can cause an increasing weakening of the immune system Emotional stability and personality are linked to health in middle adulthood � the healthiest being the most responsible, self-controlled, and the calmest Culture plays an important role in coronary disease � immigration modifies healthy practices even as genetic predispositions remain constant

11. There is a stronger link between coronary disease and Type A behavior patterns than Type B behavior patterns Hardiness is a personality style that can lessen the effects of stress � when accompanied by regular exercise and positive social support, it can help maintain good health

13. Chronic diseases are the main cause of death during middle adulthood Leading cause of death is heart disease Second leading cause is cancer Third leading cause is cerebrovascular disease Although most menopausal women report having hot flashes and other effects, the majority of them felt relieved that their childbearing years were over

14. The average age for menopause is 51 but varies from ages 39 to 59 � the majority of women remain sexually active and retain their femininity Cross-cultural studies show that the menopausal experience varies among women Postmenopausal hormone treatments have been linked to increased risk of stroke, dementia, and cancer Testosterone levels in men gradually drop in middle adulthood decreasing sexual ability and activity, but several therapies and techniques can improve performance

15. Crystallized intelligence increases in middle adulthood, while fluid intelligence begins to decline Some studies show middle adulthood is a time when cognitive functioning peaks, but the rate of information-processing decreases in most Cognitive Development

17. There is controversy as to whether memory declines in middle adulthood, but it is argued that a slowdown in the learning of new information does occur Memory decline is affected by The types of processing strategies used The amount of experience one possesses in an area of knowledge � expert or novice How often memory is used

19. Work is central to one�s life during middle age In the U.S., about 80% of people aged 40 to 59 work Midlife is a time of evaluation, assessment, and reflection about work roles and future goals Overall, job satisfaction steadily increases throughout one�s working life � usually from age 20 to 60 This pattern applies to both men and women This pattern applies to both college- and non-college-educated adults Careers, Work, and Leisure

21. As workers enter middle age, there is a greater commitment to work and less absenteeism Currently, middle-aged workers face many challenges Globalization and exporting of jobs Rapid development in technologies Downsizing and restructuring of companies Early retirement � forced or due to buyouts Leisure is an important aspect of middle adulthood due to changes in relationships and career

22. In middle adulthood Financial circumstances are improved More opportunities for leisure are available There are chances to diversify interests Some research facts: Men who take vacations from work live longer Men who avoid vacations tend to have Type A personalities Constructive and fulfilling leisure activities help individuals prepare psychologically for retirement

23. Some research facts: A majority of middle-aged adults are religious and consider spirituality a major part of their lives Spirituality significantly increases from the early 30s to the late 60s and early 70s Females are more interested and active in both organized and personal forms of religion than men Americans show strong belief in God and religion but show declining faith in mainstream religions, religious leaders, and the moral stature of the nation Religion and Meaning in Life

25. Religion is linked to health: Some religious cults and sects encourage behaviors that negatively affect health, such as refusing medications or ignoring sound medical advice The effects of mainstream religion on health are mediated by other factors, but overall, there is a positive relationship with longevity Religion may promote better health: Physically: lowering blood pressure and muscle tension Psychologically: supporting better coping skills

26. Some studies show religion Decreases depression Is associated with a sense of competence and control, freedom from guilt and worry, and an absence of illness May or may not be related to one�s happiness Some coping may be affected by spiritual support that is related to personal adjustment Religious beliefs can affect perceptions of pain or disability � thus affecting decisions to seek treatment

27. Many have pondered the meaning of life � the search may come after great personal losses Frankl identified three most distinct human qualities as Spirituality Freedom Responsibility In middle adulthood, the reality of approaching death forces one to ask questions and evaluate the answers

28. Baumeister has argued that the quest for the meaning of life may be understood in terms of 4 needs: Purpose (purposes can be divided into goals and fulfillments and life can be oriente toward a future anticipated state) Values (can be used to justify one�s course of action in life) A sense of efficacy (belief that one can make a difference) Self-worth (belief that one is very good at something, or self-esteem gained from being part of a group)