Physical & Cognitive Development in Middle AdulthoodGuideposts for StudySlide 3Middle Age: A Social ConstructPopulation and Baby BoomersThe Aging ExperiencePhysical ChangesAge-Related Visual ProblemsHearing Loss: PresbycusisOther Physical LossesChanges in AppearanceMenopauseAttitudes toward MenopauseSymptoms of MenopauseExploding Menopause MythsBox 15.1 Cultural Differences in MenopauseChanges in Male SexualitySexual ActivitySexual DysfunctionHealth in Middle AdulthoodHealth TrendsBehavioral Influences on HealthSES and HealthAfrican Americans and HealthHispanic Americans and HealthGender and HealthHealth after Menopause: OsteoporosisBreast CancerHormone Replacement TherapyCommon Stressors Affecting HealthEmotions and HealthMental HealthCohort Differences in Mental AbilitiesSchaie: Seattle Longitudinal StudyFluid IntelligenceCrystallized IntelligenceExpertisePostformal Thought: Integrative ThoughtCreative PerformanceCreativity and AgeAge-Differentiated Roles: Traditional Life StructureAge-Integrated Society: Many RolesWork vs. Early RetirementWork and Cognitive DevelopmentThe Mature LearnerLiteracy Training© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncPhysical & Cognitive Development in Middle AdulthoodChapter 15© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncGuideposts for StudyWhat are the distinguishing features of middle age?What physical changes generally occur during the middle years, and what is their psychological impact?What factors affect physical and mental health at midlife?What cognitive gains and losses occur during middle age?© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncGuideposts for StudyoDo mature adults think differently than younger people do?oWhat accounts for creative achievement, and how does it change with age?oHow are patterns of work and education changing today, and how does work contribute to cognitive development?© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncMiddle Age:A Social ConstructNo consensus on when it begins and ends–Your textbook defines it as 40–65 yearsNo specific biological or social events that mark its boundariesIn U.S., middle-age is increasingly a state of mind–Many people in their 60s and 70s consider themselves middle-agedPopulation and Baby Boomers© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncThe Aging Experience Most younger middle-aged adults see their lives as still needing improvementMost older middle-aged adults are satisfied with most areas of life–Social, financial, healthFor most people, at least up until about age 75, aging is a positive experience© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncPhysical ChangesBehavioral and lifestyle factors dating from youth can affect physical changesPeople who are active early in life reap the benefits later in life–Use it or lose it!© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncAge-Related Visual ProblemsNear visionDynamic visionSensitivity to lightVisual searchSpeed of processingLoss of visual acuity–Presbyopia–Myopia© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncHearing Loss: PresbycusisA gradual hearing loss–Rarely noticed in early lifeSpeeds up in the 50sAffects sounds at pitches higher than speech© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncOther Physical LossesSensitivity to taste and smellSensitivity of touch and painStrength and coordinationEndurance Decrease in basal metabolismManual dexterityTasks that involve choice of response© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncChanges in AppearanceSkin may become less taut and smooth –Layer of fat becomes thinnerHair becomes thinnerPeople sweat less–Sweat glands diminishGain weight and lose heightLower bone densityVital capacity of lungs diminishes© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncMenopauseWhen a woman permanently stops ovulating and menstruatingNo longer able to conceive a childOn average at about 52 years–Perimenopause: Three- to five-year slowing process before menopause –Estrogen and ova production decline beginning in mid-30s© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncAttitudes toward MenopauseIn the U.S., most women view menopause positivelyMost express reliefMany see it as a time of greater independence and personal growth© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncSymptoms of MenopauseMany women experience little discomfortMost common are hot flashes–Only half of women experienceOther symptoms:–Vaginal dryness, burning, itching–Sexual appetite remains© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncExploding Menopause MythsThe following have been shown NOT to be linked to this biological change:IrritabilityNervousnessAnxietyDepressionMemory LossBox 15.1 Cultural Differences in MenopauseMany women never experience symptomsComparison with Japanese womenAfrican American women have more positive feelings about menopause than Caucasian womenMore research needed© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncChanges in Male SexualityNo evidence to support “andropause” or “male menopause”Testosterone decreases slowly –About 1% per year after the 30s–No strong relationship between testosterone levels and sexual performance–Possible erectile dysfunction© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncSexual ActivitySatisfaction with sex life diminishes gradually during 40s and 50sDecline is related to:–Physical changesChronic illness–Nonphysical changesMonotony in relationshipWorries© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncSexual DysfunctionA persistent disturbance in sexual desire or sexual responseForms of dysfunction:–Lack of interest–Painful intercourse–Difficulty in arousal–Premature ejaculation© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncHealth in Middle AdulthoodMost middle-aged Americans are healthy–But low SES experience increasing health problemsMost middle-aged people experience decline in energy levels© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncHealth TrendsHypertension: Risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases—can be controlled through:–Blood-pressure screening–Low-salt diets–MedicationHeart disease: Leading cause of death between ages 45 and 64Diabetes: Doubled since 1990s© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncBehavioral Influences on HealthLonger lives and shorter periods of disability are associated with:No smokingAvoiding
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