Topic 1: Basic Concepts of Adult Development and Aging

Question 1

What are the key features of the Life-Course Perspective Theory?

Answer 1

1. timing of individual life events in relation to broader historical context
2. synchronization of personal transitions w/ societal and familial expectations

Question 2

What is gerontology?

Answer 2

scientific study of aging and special problems of the aged

Question 3

Adulthood can be characterized by?

Answer 3

relative independence from parents + acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions

Question 4

What are the 4 main lifespan perspectives?

Answer 4

causation, multidirectional, plasticity, historical context

Question 5

What does the historical context in lifespan perspective say?

Answer 5

development occurs in a particular context and culture

Question 6

Plasticity can be trained/improved regardless of age. T/F?

Answer 6

T

Question 7

What does “multiple causation” in lifespan perspective state?

Answer 7

development results from a variety of factors

Question 8

What are the four key principles of aging?

Answer 8

1. continuity principle
2. survivor principle
3. individuality principle
4. normal aging is different from disease

Question 9

What is the continuity principle?

Answer 9

people usually maintain the same behaviors, activities, etc. and build on top of that through experience

Question 10

What is the survivor principle?

Answer 10

states that people who live to old age manage to overcome threats that could’ve lead to death at an earlier age

Question 11

What is the individuality principle?

Answer 11

As people age, they become more different from each other (i.e. unique) because of experiences

Question 12

Does growing older mean growing sicker?

Answer 12

No. Senescence does NOT equal senility.

Question 13

What are the 4 kinds of aging?

Answer 13

1. primary aging
2. secondary aging
3. tertiary aging
4. optimal aging

Question 14

What is primary aging?

Answer 14

normal aging

Question 15

What is secondary aging?

Answer 15

impaired aging

Question 16

What is tertiary aging?

Answer 16

rapid decline shortly before death

Question 17

What is optimal aging?

Answer 17

changes that IMPROVE an individual’s functioning

Question 18

What age qualifies as middle adulthood?

Answer 18

40 - 65 years old

Question 19

What age qualifies as young adulthood?

Answer 19

20 - 40 years old

Question 20

What are the components of functional age?

Answer 20

biological, psychological, and social age

Question 21

What is biological age?

Answer 21

age of body systems

Question 22

What is psychological age?

Answer 22

functional level of psychological abilities used to adapt to changing environmental demands

Question 23

What is social age?

Answer 23

related to social roles occupied by an individual

Question 24

What are the 7 main environmental context and influences of adult development?

Answer 24

1. family
2. socioeconomic status + family functioning
3. affluence
4. poverty
5. neighborhoods, towns, city
6. cultural context
7. religion

Question 25

What are the 3 key developmental influences?

Answer 25

1. normative age-graded 2. normative history-graded 3. non-normative influences

Question 26

This type of developmental influence can be used to judge where we are on our social clock.

Answer 26

normative age-graded

Question 27

Marriage, Retiring, and Having Kids are all examples of what kind of developmental influence?

Answer 27

normative age-graded influence

Question 28

World Wars, economic downturns, and the COVID-19 pandemic are all examples of what kind of developmental influence?

Answer 28

normative history-graded influence

Question 29

Events that occur with no regular predictability are called what kind of developmental influence?

Answer 29

non-normative influence

Question 30

What are the 5 main types of theoretical perspectives on aging and adult development?

Answer 30

1. Erikson's Theory 2. Life Course Perspective Theory 3. Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory 4. Competence Environmental Press Theory 5. Selective Compensation w/ Optimization Model

Question 31

What does the Competence Environmental Press Theory say about development?

Answer 31

Development is a balance between competence & environmental press

Question 32

What does Piaget's Cognitive Theory say about development?

Answer 32

Development is a balance between assimilation and accommodation

Question 33

Individuals are able to: 1. Select certain abilities/skills deemed essential for functioning 2. Optimize performance by focusing on these areas. 3. Compensate for declines by developing strategies or workarounds. What theory supports this?

Answer 33

Selective Compensation with Optimization Model

Question 34

What are the 8 theories on biological aging?

Answer 34

1. Heredity Theory 2. Cellular Aging Theory 3. Wear and Tear Theory 4. Metabolic Waste Theory 5. Auto-immunity Theory 6. Homeostatic Imbalance Theory 7. Mutation Theory 8. Error Theory

Question 35

This is also known as "Clinker Theory" in which postulates that the accumulation of deleterious substances and collagen is what causes aging.

Answer 35

Metabolic Waste Theory

Question 36

What does the autoimmunity theory state in relation to aging?

Answer 36

body's own immune system rejects its own tissue (i.e. produce autoimmune antibodies)

Question 37

The body gradually becomes unable to maintain vital physiologic balances. What theory supports this?

Answer 37

Homeostatic Imbalance Theory

Question 38

What is the error theory?

Answer 38

States that the cumulative effects if a variety of mistakes (like mutations) lead to aging