Social and Emotional Development in Late Adulthood

Question 1

Ego Integrity (Erikson’s Theory:Ego Integrity versus Despair)

Answer 1

• Feel whole, complete, satisfied with achievements
• Serenity and contentment
• Associated with psychosocial maturity

Question 2

Despair (Erikson’s Theory:Ego Integrity versus Despair)

Answer 2

• Feel many decisions were wrong, but now time is too short
• Bitter and unaccepting of coming death
• Expressed as anger and contempt for others

Question 3

Emotional Expertise

Answer 3

Cognitive-Affective Complexity: Declines for many
Affect Optimization Improves: Maximize positive emotions, dampen negative ones
More vivid emotional perceptions: Make sure of own emotions, Use emotion-centered coping

Question 4

Remininscence

Answer 4

Telling stories about people, events, thoughts and feelings from past
Self-focused: can deepen despair
Other-focused: solidifies relationships
Knowledge-based: helps solve problems

Question 5

Life Review

Answer 5

-Considering the meaning of past experiences
-A form of reminiscence
For greater self-understanding
-Can help adjustment

Question 6

Personality in Late Adulthood

Answer 6

• Secure, multifaceted self-concept: Allows self-acceptance; Continue to pursue possible selves
• Shifts in some characteristics: More agreeable, Less sociable, Greater acceptance of change

Question 7

Spirituality and Religion in Late Adulthood

Answer 7

-Over 3/4 in U.S. say religion “very important”
-Over half attend services weekly
-Many become more religious or spiritual with age: Not all, about 1/4 get less religious; Cultural, SES, gender differences
-Physical, psychological benefits: Social engagement
and Spiritual beliefs themselves

Question 8

Factors in Psychological Well-Being

Answer 8

• Control versus dependency
• Health: Poor health, depression linked
• Suicide risk
• Negative life changes
• Social support, interaction
• Social interaction

Question 9

Control and Dependency in Late Adulthood

Answer 9

• Dependency-Support Script
• Independence-Ignore Script
• Scripts Work Together

Question 10

Dependency-Support Script (Control and Dependency in Late Adulthood)

Answer 10

Attend immediately to dependent behaviors

Question 11

Independence-Ignore Script (Control and Dependency in Late Adulthood)

Answer 11

Ignore independent behaviors

Question 12

Scripts Work Together (Control and Dependency in Late Adulthood)

Answer 12

• Both reinforce dependency

- Make social contact less pleasant

Question 13

Elder Suicide

Answer 13

• Suicide increases over lifespan: Men more likely than women, Whites most likely
• Prompted by losses, terminal illnesses: Retirement, widowhood
• Indirect methods: Refusing food or medical treatment

Question 14

Disengagement Theory (Social Theories of Aging)

Answer 14

Mutual withdrawal of elders and society

Question 15

Activity Theory (Social Theories of Aging)

Answer 15

Social barriers cause declining interaction

Question 16

Continuity Theory (Social Theories of Aging)

Answer 16

Strive to maintain consistency between past and future

Question 17

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (Social Theories of Aging)

Answer 17

Social networks become more selective with age; extends lifelong process
-Emphasize emotion-regulating functions of social contact

Question 18

Social Contexts of Aging

Answer 18

Communities

• Majority live in suburbs - higher income
• Minorities in cities - better transportation, social services
• Few small town, rural - far from children; interact with neighbors, friends

Question 19

Housing Arrangements in Late Adulthood

Answer 19

• Ordinary Homes: Own home (Preferred and most control), With family
• Residential Communities: Congregate housing, Life care communities
• Nursing Homes