Late Adulthood Flashcards
(28 cards)
The prime of life
Cognitive capacity peaks in late adulthood
Importance of life experiences
Senior leadership positions are dominated by people in late adulthood (career peaks)
The turning point
Progression through late adulthood is marked by several 'turning points' or transitions. Retirement Empty-nest Grandparenthood Menopause
The social clock
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
Schaie’s stage theory
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
Dialectical thinking
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’)
Faith (late adulthood)
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
Intuitive-projective faith
Faith is projected onto a child
Mythic-liberal faith
Involves telling stories to get morals across. Taken literally.
Synthetic conventional faith
Teens formation of self is intertwined with faith.
Individual-reflective faith
Beyond passive acceptance of faith. First stage to question faith and therefore identity in a faith.
Conjunctive faith
Mature faith. Full acceptance, acknowledge and accept other beliefs.
Universalising faith
Devout believers. No longer learning about faith, now teaching. Complete commitment to faith.
What is late adulthood?
50-65 years
Associated with significant transitional events
Results in shifting focus/identity
Presents new opportunities & challenges
Psychological growth
This is NOT old age
Menopause
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)
Empty-nest (late adulthood)
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
Relationship with adult child
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
Developmental stake hypothesis
Parents have consistently higher investment in the relationship than children
Developmental schism hypothesis
Developmental differences across generations creates conflict at any age. Conflicts evolve as stage of development evolves.
Grandparenthood
Significant transition event which has impact on psychological development in late adulthood and old age
Satisfaction with grandparenthood
No differences in reported satisfaction between grandmothers and grandfathers
8% felt dissatisfied with the grandparenting experience
Contact with grandchildren predicted satisfaction
Grandparenthood - generativity
Grandparenting fulfils a need for generativity
Higher generativity predicts greater satisfaction with the grandparenting role
Grandparenthood can accelerate development of generativity
Grandparenthood - age identity
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
Mandatory age of retirement: pros
Removes potential feelings of guilt associated with leaving an organisation
Removes the need to decide on fitness to work
Facilitates effective retirement planning
Mandatory age of retirement: cons
Promotes age based discrimination
Does not consider individual differences in ability or work roles
