Slide 1OutlineFluid and Crystallized IntelligenceSlide 4Seattle Longitudinal StudySeattle Longitudinal StudySlide 7ExpertiseCognitive Changes in Late LifeCognitive FunctioningCognitive FunctioningDevelopmental Psyc in Real LifeBaltes: Dual-Process ModelBaltes: Dual-Process ModelWisdomApproaches to Studying WisdomDementiaAlzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseNun StudyCauses of Alzheimer’s DiseaseParkinson’s DiseaseCare for Individuals with DementiaCognitive Development in Middle and Late AdulthoodOutline•Types of Intelligence•Changes in Intelligence, Memory, and Creativity•Baltes’ Model of Cognitive Development•Wisdom•DementiaFluid and Crystallized Intelligence•Fluid•CrystallizedSeattle Longitudinal Study•HUGE Sequential Research study•Main focus on individual change and stability in intelligence•Started by K. Warner Schaie (one of the founders of the WVU Life-Span Development program)Seattle Longitudinal Study•Peak performance in middle age overall•Verbal abilities show greatest stability•Perceptual speed and numeric abilities first to show declinesCross-sectional vs. Longitudinal Comparisons of Intellectual Abilities•When did the participants show a peak in their cognitive functioning? •Can you think of reasons why?Expertise•Mature adults show increasing competence solving problems in their field•Encapsulation:Cognitive Changes in Late LifeDecline STABLE May ImproveEpisodic memory: Names & faces; Encoding new informationProcedural memory: Motor skills and habitsPriming: Ability to solve a problem or answer a questionSemantic memory: Vocabulary and knowledge; deeper comprehension and integration across feelings and factsCognitive Functioning•Explicit memory: •Implicit memory:Cognitive Functioning•Executive functioning•Changes in late adulthood•Much variability among older adultsDevelopmental Psyc in Real Life•Training cognitive skills•Improve the cognitive skills of many older adults•Some loss in plasticity in late adulthood, especially in the oldest-old•Cognitive vitality of older adults can be improved through cognitive and physical fitness trainingBaltes: Dual-Process Model•Mechanics of Intelligence•Neurophysiological “hardware” – declines with age•Pragmatics of Intelligence•Culture-based “Software” – knowledge and skills, wisdom •Can continue to increase in later adulthoodBaltes: Dual-Process Model•Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC)•Using psychosocial resources to compensate for weakened mechanical abilitiesWisdom•Wisdom – experience•expert knowledge •excellent judgment •High levels of wisdom are rare•Factors other than age •Personality factorsApproaches to Studying Wisdom•Social judgments – explore people’s common conceptions of wisdom•Personality – wisdom is the culmination of a lifetime of personal growth and ego development (Jung and Erikson)•Cognitive expertise – exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge, reflective judgement, and application of this knowledge•Transcendence – insight and awareness of the uncertain, paradoxical nature of reality and a detachment from preoccupation with the selfDementia•Dementia – •neurological disorder•deterioration of mental functioning•Loss of ability to •care for self•recognize familiar surroundings and peopleEarly warning signs of dementia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mje9QL32tyc&feature=relatedAlzheimer’s Disease•Alzheimer’s Disease – •Progressive, irreversible brain disorder•Behavioral Symptoms•Deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and physical functioning•Onset•Early vs late •Physical symptoms •Plaques and tanglesAlzheimer’s Disease•Fewer than 25% of older adults have AD. •NOT “normal aging”Nun Study•List factors that are thought to be negatively correlated with the incidence and effects of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias?•If you were the director of a senior center, how would you use this information in your center?•Personally, how could you apply this research to your own life?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw2lafKIEio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKcbfEbT2aUCauses of Alzheimer’s Disease•Causes are likely multifactorial•Age•Genetics•Lifestyle•Lack of exerciseParkinson’s Disease•Parkinson’s disease -- a chronic, progressive disease •Symptoms: Muscle tremors, slowed movements, partial facial paralysis, unstable posture•Onset: damage to dopamine neurons•Dopamine replacement therapy can slow progression in early stagesCare for Individuals with Dementia•Physically and emotionally draining •Family support – important, but costly•Importance of respite care•Services that provide temporary relief for
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