Late Adulthood

Question 1

The prime of life

Answer 1

Cognitive capacity peaks in late adulthood
Importance of life experiences
Senior leadership positions are dominated by people in late adulthood (career peaks)

Question 2

The turning point

Answer 2

Progression through late adulthood is marked by several 'turning points' or transitions. 
Retirement
Empty-nest
Grandparenthood
Menopause

Question 3

The social clock

Answer 3

Expectation about the lifespan (what is acceptable for a 50 year old?)
Atypical progress through transitions leads to social exclusion
Eg first time parents over 38 experience negative social implications

Question 4

Schaie’s stage theory

Answer 4

Outlined stages of cognitive development across the lifespan
Viewed progression through Piaget’s stages as preparation for applying cognitive skills to real-world problems
Old age does not guarantee wisdom
(Cognitive progress is not guaranteed. Relies on good psychological and physical health, and exposure to stimulating environments)
Page 461 of textbook

Question 5

Dialectical thinking

Answer 5

Stage of cognitive development beyond Piaget’s formal operations
Argued that formal operations ‘involves the effort to find fundamental fixed realities’ (allows for logical solutions to problems with one correct solution)
Dialectical thinking considers contradictory views on the same problem (consolidation of thesis (core idea) and antithesis (contradictory position) into a synthesis. Results in ‘intellectual uncertainty’)

Question 6

Faith (late adulthood)

Answer 6

Crisis of faith is often encountered
Fowler outlines 6 stages of faith development:
1. Intuitive-projective faith 
2. Mythic-liberal faith
3. Synthetic conventional faith
4. Individual-reflective faith
5. Conjunctive faith
6. Universalising faith

Question 7

Intuitive-projective faith

Answer 7

Faith is projected onto a child

Question 8

Mythic-liberal faith

Answer 8

Involves telling stories to get morals across. Taken literally.

Question 9

Synthetic conventional faith

Answer 9

Teens formation of self is intertwined with faith.

Question 10

Individual-reflective faith

Answer 10

Beyond passive acceptance of faith. First stage to question faith and therefore identity in a faith.

Question 11

Conjunctive faith

Answer 11

Mature faith. Full acceptance, acknowledge and accept other beliefs.

Question 12

Universalising faith

Answer 12

Devout believers. No longer learning about faith, now teaching. Complete commitment to faith.

Question 13

What is late adulthood?

Answer 13

50-65 years
Associated with significant transitional events
Results in shifting focus/identity
Presents new opportunities & challenges
Psychological growth
This is NOT old age

Question 14

Menopause

Answer 14

Ceasing menstruation
Age 45-55
Gradual decline in production of oestrogen and progesterone
Symptoms like hot flushes, headaches, weight gain
Ending of reproductive years requires psychological adjustment (considered a transitional point signifying ageing)

Question 15

Empty-nest (late adulthood)

Answer 15

Significant transitional event
Results in changing of parent-child relationship
55.7% of 50-59 year old have no children living at home
82% of 60-69 year olds have no children living at home

Question 16

Relationship with adult child

Answer 16

The reforming of a parent’s relationship with their adult child is challenging
Goal is for the formation of an interdependent and mutually enjoyable relationship
Relationship with adult child can raise interpersonal tension

Question 17

Developmental stake hypothesis

Answer 17

Parents have consistently higher investment in the relationship than children

Question 18

Developmental schism hypothesis

Answer 18

Developmental differences across generations creates conflict at any age. Conflicts evolve as stage of development evolves.

Question 19

Grandparenthood

Answer 19

Significant transition event which has impact on psychological development in late adulthood and old age

Question 20

Satisfaction with grandparenthood

Answer 20

No differences in reported satisfaction between grandmothers and grandfathers
8% felt dissatisfied with the grandparenting experience
Contact with grandchildren predicted satisfaction

Question 21

Grandparenthood - generativity

Answer 21

Grandparenting fulfils a need for generativity
Higher generativity predicts greater satisfaction with the grandparenting role
Grandparenthood can accelerate development of generativity

Question 22

Grandparenthood - age identity

Answer 22

Kaufman and Elder found that those who enjoy grandparenthood feel younger and hope to live longer
Young grandparents feel older than those who are ‘on-time’ grandparents

Question 23

Mandatory age of retirement: pros

Answer 23

Removes potential feelings of guilt associated with leaving an organisation
Removes the need to decide on fitness to work
Facilitates effective retirement planning

Question 24

Mandatory age of retirement: cons

Answer 24

Promotes age based discrimination

Does not consider individual differences in ability or work roles

Question 25

Preparing for retirement

Answer 25

Early planning produces the best outcomes:
More accurate expectations
Better financial position
More fulfilling use of leisure time
Greater life satisfaction in late adulthood and old age

Question 26

Adjustment to retirement

Answer 26

Retirement requires a significant shift in the focus of one’s personal identity
Retirement as an ‘identity crisis’ or ‘identity continuity’
Self-identification as a ‘worker’ influences degree of identity adjustment needed

Question 27

Leisure activities in retirement

Answer 27

Creation of new goals is key to successful retirement
Leisure pursuits can be tailored to match the new goals (creates a sense of purpose in retirement)
Issues can arise when pre-retirement goals are heavily weighted towards the material rather than the personal goals (pg 29)

Question 28

Phases of retirement (Atchely)

Answer 28

Honeymoon: euphoric period where new retirees indulge in activities they couldn’t do before
Disenchantment: the realities of long-term adjustment must be confronted.
Reorientation: goals for the future are actively confronted and difficult choices are made
Stability: life satisfaction levels returns to high levels

Termination: doesn’t reach stability phase so returns to work force or as a disabled patient in hospital or nursing home