PSYCH 250 1st Edition Lecture 18Outline of Last Lecture I. Intimacy vs. IsolationII. FriendshipIII. Selecting a MateA. Sternberg’s Theory of LoveIV. Attachment and Romantic RelationshipsV. What Makes Relationships WorkVI. Leaving HomeOutline of Current Lecture VII. Middle AgeVIII. Health and Body Changes in Middle AgeIX. Sensory and Motor Change in AdulthoodX. Sexual Attitudes and InfertilityXI. MenopauseXII. Variations and Adaptations in AgingXIII. The Intelligences and Intellectual Abilities in Middle AgeCurrent LectureMiddle AgeThe period of adulthood expands from ages 25 to 65. Midlife is often described as the “prime oflife.” Older adults in this stage are more likely to be financially secure due to retirement and/or children leaving the home.Health and Body Changes in Middle AgeMore than 80% of older adults rate their health as either good or excellent. There tend to be more chronic diseases in older adulthood than younger adulthood.Cancer – accounts for 1/3 of deathsCardiovascular Disease – ¼ of deathsOsteoporosis – severe age related bone loss due to decreased levels of calciumAs an individual ages their metabolism slows, and both men and women experience the middle age spread:- Fat: tends to accumulate on the torso (men – upper abdomen and trunk, women – upper arms and thighs)- Muscle: muscle mass declines gradually in the 40s and 50s- Bone Loss: begins in the late 30s and tends to accelerate in the 50s (especially in women)- Collagen is lost, wrinkles form, and starting at age 35 the hair begins to thin and turn greySensory and Motor Change in AdulthoodBetween the ages of 40 and 60 the lens of the eye declines in its ability to adjust to objects at varying distances. This is a condition called Presbyopia. These adults are farsighted and need bifocals or corrective lenses. It is estimated that 14% of older adults suffer from hearing loss related to age. This condition is called Presbycusis. - The decline in hearing typically begins with a loss of higher frequencies (around age 50)- Men’s hearing tends to decline earlier and a faster rateAthletic skills tend to peak between the ages of 20 and 35, and motor performance declines gradually until the 60s or 70s. In studies of elite athletes, it has been shown that biological aging explains only a small part of decline related to age. If an individual continues training, the loss of motor capacity is slowed. The peak of athletic activity really depends on the nature of the activity. Individuals who participate in aggressive sports that involve speed and strength (football) tend to peak early; whereas individuals who participate in activities that involve more coordinationand less impact tend to peak later (baseball, golf). Sexual Attitudes and InfertilityThe National Health and Social Life Survey polled over 3,400 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 59. The major findings were as follows:1. Sexual partners tend to be similar in age, education, and ethnicity2. Couples who were in committed relationships have sex more often and are more satisfied3. The overall frequency of sex was modest and ranged from a few times a week, to not at allFertility declines with age in both men (after 40) and women (after 35), and about 15% of U.S. couples are infertile and cannot have children. Assisted Reproductive Technology refers to the many medical interventions that help with infertility. In vitro fertilization has produced over one million babies since 1978.MenopauseMenopause begins with a climacteric. A climacteric is a transition that occurs in mid – life when fertility declines. Perimenopause: a 10 year climacteric that is marked by a drop in estrogen, in which women have shorter and more irregular monthly cycles.Menopause marks the end of menstruation and reproductive capacity. It is marked by the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause is 51, and genetics plays an important role in determining the nature and timing of menopause. Lifestyle, in addition to genetics also plays a role. Smokers tend to enter menopause two years earlier, and women who have never had children also tend to enter menopause earlier. Menopause has many physical impacts on the body:- Decrease in estrogen and progesterone- Decreased elasticity of the skin- Increased risk of heart disease- Increased bone loss and osteoporosisThe physical symptoms of menopause include:- Hot flashes and night sweats (varies across ethnicity)- Weight gain- Headaches and fatigue- Joint and muscle pain- Changes in sexual responsiveness Additionally, menopause also has some psychological impact. It is popularly believed that menopause is a time of crisis. However, this belief is wrong. Women today are having less children, and menopause may not come as a major change. The way women experience menopause is tied to beliefs and expectations, cultural attitudes, and interpretations of the event. In other words, it’s all in how you perceive it.Hormone Therapy is given to women to help reduce the physical symptoms of menopause. - Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT): low daily doses of estrogen only for women who have had hysterectomies.- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): doses of estrogen and progesterone for other women who have not had hysterectomiesHormone therapy was largely used because it was believed to reduce the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis. However, the Women’s Health Initiative conducted a mass, randomized clinical trial of over 16,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79. Some women were given placebos, and others were HRT. After 5 years, it was found that from HRT there was a:o 26% increase in breast cancer o 29% increase in heart attackso 41% increase in strokeso Doubled rate of blood clots in the lungs and legsAdditional research found that HRT was positively linked to mild cognitive declines and doubled the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.But do the risks really outweigh the benefits?Benefits Risks Alternatives Reduced Hot Flashes Reduced Vaginal Dryness Possibly Assists in Moodiness Benefits for Bones Heart Attack Stroke Blood Clots Cancer Cognitive declines (Alzheimer’s) Herbal Remedies AntidepressantsVariations and Adaptations in AgingDespite their outward appearance, women actually age slower than men do. This can be seen when we look at life expectancy. Women on average, live 5-6 years than men.High Socioeconomic Status is a