Development Flashcards
What does the Peripheral Slowing Hypothesis suggest?
Cognitive processing speed decreases due to changes in the peripheral nervous system rather than the central nervous system
What is the primary focus of the Generalised Slowing Hypothesis?
Cognitive processing speed declines across various domains, including sensory processing, motor functions, and cognitive tasks
What does the Slowing Hypothesis (Information Processing Speed Theory) propose?
Decline in the speed of information processing is a primary factor contributing to cognitive changes in older adults
True or False: The Slowing Hypothesis suggests that cognitive processing speed only declines in motor functions.
False
Fill in the blank: The Peripheral Slowing Hypothesis is often used to explain why older adults tend to perform more slowly on tasks requiring _______.
quick cognitive processing
What effect does the deceleration in reaction time and overall information processing have on the elderly?
It significantly heightens the risk of accidents
List the three hypotheses that explain cognitive slowing with age.
- Peripheral Slowing Hypothesis
- Generalised Slowing Hypothesis
- Slowing Hypothesis
What is the medical term for age-related hearing loss?
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is the most common type of hearing loss in middle and older adults.
At what age does presbycusis typically begin?
Late 40s or early 50s
Presbycusis gradually worsens over time.
What is one hallmark characteristic of presbycusis?
Difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds
This includes consonants like ‘s,’ ‘f,’ and ‘th.’
How does presbycusis affect speech perception?
Speech may sound muffled or unclear
This is especially true in noisy environments.
What type of voices may individuals with presbycusis have difficulty hearing?
Women’s and children’s voices
This is due to the high-frequency sounds they produce.
What challenge do individuals with presbycusis face in conversations?
Difficulty distinguishing words or sounds
This is particularly when multiple people are speaking or when background noise is present.
What is the term for the perception of ringing or noise in the ears?
Tinnitus
Tinnitus can accompany hearing loss, including presbycusis.
What is a common issue related to hearing loss that affects spatial awareness?
Impaired localisation of sounds
This can lead to difficulty determining the direction from which sounds are coming.
What stage of life is characterized by increased awareness of physical changes due to aging?
Middle adulthood
This stage often involves individuals becoming more attuned to gradual shifts in their bodies.
What term describes the natural declines that come with age?
Senescence
Senescence encompasses the physical changes associated with aging.
What factors can influence physical transformations in middle adulthood?
Personal lifestyle decisions, including:
* Dietary habits
* Physical activity
* Smoking
* Alcohol use
* Drug use
These lifestyle choices can affect the aging process and physical health.
True or False: All physical changes in middle adulthood are solely due to senescence.
False
Some changes are also influenced by personal lifestyle decisions.
Fill in the blank: _______ encompasses the natural declines that come with age.
Senescence
What is a key awareness that individuals develop during middle adulthood?
Awareness of gradual shifts in their bodies due to aging
This awareness can lead to changes in lifestyle or health behaviors.
What is the inherent element in all qualitative research?
Subjectivity
Subjectivity impacts how questions are posed and how data is interpreted in qualitative research.
What are the four key elements to consider when approaching subjectivity in qualitative research?
- Positionality
- Reflexivity
- Relationality
- Intersectionality
These elements help acknowledge personal biases and the context of research findings.
