Ch 18. Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Question 1

Cognitive Mechanics

Answer 1

The “hardware” of the mind, reflecting the neurophysiological architecture of the brain. Cognitive mechanics involve the speed and accuracy of the processes involving sensory input, visual and motor memory, discrimination, comparison, and categorization.

Question 2

Cognitive Pragmatics

Answer 2

The culture-based “software programs” of the mind. Cognitive pragmatics include reading and writing skills, language comprehension, educational qualifications, professional skills, and also the type of knowledge about the self and life skills that help us to master or cope with life.

Question 3

Selective Attention

Answer 3

Focusing on a specific aspect of experience that is relevant while ignoring others that are irrelevant.

Question 4

Divided Attention

Answer 4

Concentrating on more than one activity at the same time.

Question 5

Sustained Attention

Answer 5

Focused and extended engagement with an object, task, event, or other aspect of the environment.

Question 6

Executive Attention

Answer 6

Aspects of thinking that include planning actions, allocating attention to goals, detecting and compensating for errors, monitoring progress on tasks, and dealing with novel or difficult circumstances.

Question 7

Explicit Memory

Answer 7

Memory of facts and experiences that individuals consciously know and can state.

Question 8

Implicit Memory

Answer 8

Memory without conscious recollection; involves skills and routine procedures that are automatically performed.

Question 9

Episodic Memory

Answer 9

The retention of information about the where and when of life’s happenings.

Question 10

Semantic Memory

Answer 10

A person’s knowledge about the world—including one’s fields of expertise, general academic knowledge of the sort learned in school, and “everyday knowledge.”

Question 11

Source Memory

Answer 11

The ability to remember where one learned something.

Question 12

Prospective Memory

Answer 12

Remembering to do something in the future.

Question 13

Wisdom

Answer 13

Expert knowledge about the practical aspects of life that permits excellent judgment about important matters.

Question 14

Major Depression

Answer 14

A mood disorder in which the individual is deeply unhappy, demoralized, self-derogatory, and bored. The person does not feel well, loses stamina easily, has poor appetite, and is listless and unmotivated. Major depression is so widespread that it has been called the “common cold” of mental disorders.

Question 15

Dementia

Answer 15

A global term for any neurological disorder in which the primary symptoms involve a deterioration of mental functioning.

Question 16

Alzheimer Disease

Answer 16

A progressive, irreversible brain disorder characterized by a gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and eventually, physical function.

Question 17

Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 17

A chronic, progressive disease characterized by muscle tremors, slowing of movement, and partial facial paralysis.