Greetings!
Here are the results of last night's final test & your final grades for the course. Summer sessions are difficult, but the class did very well. As I put up on the board last night, there were 415 possible points available. The breakdown for grades: A = 375 to 415 points; B = 330 to 374 ; C = 290 to 329; D = 250 to 289 points. The class mean was 345 points/83%/B.
Below are listed your score & letter grade for last night's test and (in bold) your letter grade for the semester. I really did enjoy having you all in class, it was a good group. Have good summer & good luck to you all in your education & career goals.
-Dennis
Grades - test 5 & Final Grade
P33 – 35/C; B
O41- 43/B; B
T11 – 49/A; B
S56 – 28/F; D
U77 – 34/C-; B
R21 – 30/D; C
W80 – 43/B; B
Z99 – 48/A; A
Y08 – 41/B; B
X90 – 50/A; B
V16 – 49/A; B
M51 – 47/A; A
L88 – 45/A; A
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Important Notice!! Date of Final Test!
In class on Tuesday, we decide to reschedule the date for the last test.
The final test over Chapters 14,15,16,17, & 18 has been moved to Tuesday, July 7!
Tonight, we will have two student presentations [Suicide & Cultural Differences on Death & Dying] and we will cover the final chapter in the textbook.
The final test over Chapters 14,15,16,17, & 18 has been moved to Tuesday, July 7!
Tonight, we will have two student presentations [Suicide & Cultural Differences on Death & Dying] and we will cover the final chapter in the textbook.
Lecture Notes/Outine: Chapter 18 - Death & Dying
Chapter 18
Death & Dying
Thoughts & Fears about Death - “The irrevocable cessation of life functions”
Denial:
Historically: people were much more familiar with death; saw it more realistically in some ways; as a “Natural Event”. Family & friends cared for the
Modern times: technological death; invisible death – hospitals, medical caregivers, morticians
1969 study (Kubler-Ross) – once Dx of terminal illness made, drs. & nurses paid less attn. to patients; talked to them less, provided only most necessary contact, usually did not tell pt. of terminal Dx, discouraged pt. from talking about feelings of impending death.
1998 study (Kastenbaum) – showed this situation changed. All nursing programs & many programs for doctors include elements of “death education” emphasizing “pt.’s right to know”. “Good outcomes”: 1.) death with dignity, 2.) chance to express final sentiments to family & friends, 3.) faces death in manner consistent with values & lifestyle
Preoccupation:
Personal, religious & cultural meanings of death are major determinants of anxiety about death. Personal beliefs & convictions are most important.
Psychoanalytic theory says fear & anxiety about death are “normal”; this is not necessarily true
What research shows:
Managing the anxiety associated with one’s own death
1. Our biologically motivated desire for life is in direct contradiction with our knowledge that we will die at some point
2. “Terror Management theory” - We cope with the terror of death by developing our self esteem and becoming competent, attached, and important to other people
3. Death can be a force that encourages us to move forward in our lives
· Older people are actually less likely to be anxious & fearful of death than younger people
· 1970 study (Jeffers & Verwoerdt) – only 10% of older adults said they were afraid to die. However many said they were afraid of a prolonged, painful death.
What would you do if you had only 6 mos. to live? (Kalish 1987)
· Younger adults: Travel, fulfill dreams, do things haven’t been able to do, but always wanted
· Older adults: contemplation, meditation, inner focused activities, spend time with family & close friends
· Although older people may think about death more often, they are generally not anxious or fearful of it & often surprisingly calm about it.
· People with strong religious convictions & personal believes & convictions generally have less depression & anxiety about death – afterlife; transition, rather than end –BUT – personal believes & convictions may be more important
· Those who do not believe in afterlife may be terrified by approaching death but not necessarily.
People who find meaning & purpose in life incorporate the knowledge that death as a natural part of life into their “meaning & purpose”. Death is seen as natural & even peaceful.
· Anxiety about impending death changes over time. People diagnosed with possibly fatal disease often show marked anxiety initially but, anxiety is gradually reduced over several weeks & months. (Belsky, 1984)
Confronting One’s Own Death
The Final Stage of development: Young, healthy people can “put off” thoughts of death. But, in cases of serious illness & in old age thoughts of death are unavoidable. Dealing with one’s own death becomes a developmental task.
Time allows one to adjust to the idea of death. Those not facing imminent death often spend time adjusting to the idea by reviewing their life… reliving events… searching for self-awareness & an understanding of their life.
Quote from textbook: “…this life review is a very important step in the lifelong growth of the individual. At no other time is there as strong a force toward self-awareness as in older adulthood. The process often leads to real personality growth; individuals resolve old conflicts, reestablish meaning in life, and even discover new things about themselves (Butler, 1968, 1980 – 1981). Only in coping with the reality of approaching death can we make crucial decisions about what is important and who we really are. Death lends the necessary perspective (Kubler-Ross, 1975). Paradoxically, then, dying can be ‘a process of re-commitment to life’ (Imara, 1975).” –page 634?
[slide #2] Stages of Adjustment: study of people who had just been told they had a terminal illness and a short time to live. (Kubler-Ross, 1969)
· Denial
· Anger, resentment, envy
· Bargaining
· Depression
· Acceptance – Can we accept/ be prepared when were young?
Not everyone goes through these stages and most do not necessarily go through them in a particular order. We should, therefore, not assume what person is experiencing or “force” them into a set pattern of stages.
Kastenbaughm (1998, 2000) - …allow people to follow their own path to dying…give the opportunity, if they want, to talk about their feelings, what they are experiencing, concerns, past experiences, conflicts that are troubling them, have questions answered, get their lives in order, see relatives and friends, to forgive and ask forgiveness.
6 Practical suggestions for care-givers: Page 636, fig. 19.1
Alternative directions, paths & courses
The particular course of a disease affects one’s reaction to death….
How much pain, suffering, & medical intervention are experienced?
“Time left to live” issue: How much time is there to adjust & accept?
· Idea of Trajectories
o Think about the meaning of the word…what to expect:
§ Ideal? – Live healthy live to 85+, put affairs in order, die suddenly in sleep without pain? Most would prefer a sudden death, especially the young.
o How much control over that trajectory does the individual have? Can they control the level of Tx. to affect it?
· The case of AIDS:
o emotionally loaded illness
o victims often young
o long, slow death process
o often very incapacitating
o exhausting on care-givers
· Suicide [Slide #3]
o Rate among older people, especially men [4X higher than women].
o Most suicides are people over 45 of those, most are over 65.\
o the rate (%) for men continues to increase beyong age 80
o “Passive” Suicide
§ [slide #4] Submissive Death: “Surrendering to death”; “Just letting yourself die”
§ [slide #5] Suicidal Erosion: “Killing Myself By Degree”
o [slide #6] ASSISTED SUICIDE – providing people with a terminal illness the means to end their own life, such as by allowing them to self administer a lethal drug
o Euthanasia [slide #7]
§ Active - taking steps to bring about another person’s death, specifically in cases of terminal illness
§ Passive– withholding or disconnecting life sustaining equipment so that death can occur naturally
· Is there a Humane Death? [slide #8]
o The Right To Die – Death is a right to be exercised at the individual’s discretion
o Hospice – a philosophy of care designed to help people with a terminal illness live out their days as fully and independently as possible by giving the needed care, counseling, support, pain management, and other assistance for people with a terminal illness and their families
v [slide #9 ] PALLIATIVE CARE – care that attempts to prevent or relieve the emotional distress and physical difficulties associated with a life threatening illness
v END OF LIFE CARE – care that specifically addresses the concerns and the circumstances associated with impending death
v [slide #10] Living Wills – “A Formal Request”: a legal directive signed by a person indicating that the person does not wish that extraordinary measures be employed to sustain life in case of terminal illness
v Medical Power of Attorney -
Grief & Bereavement [slide #11]
GRIEF OF WORK –dealing with the emotional reactions to the loss of a loved one
Anticipatory grief - grief experienced as people emotionally prepare themselves for the death of a loved one, as in cases of prolonged terminal illness
BEREAVEMENT OVERLOAD – a stress reaction experienced by people who lose several friends or loved ones during a short period of time; often characterized by depression
CHRONIC GRIEF – an ingrained, pathological mourning process in which the person never overcomes the grief
Bereavement Across Cultures
o Western cultures think proper grieving occurs by recovering and returning to normal as quickly as possible
o Other cultures stress maintaining a bond with the deceased
o Todos Santos: The Day of the Dead
Rituals and customs
o Funerals and memorial services are common and can impart a sense of order, decorum, and continuity
o Survivors take comfort from the rituals
o Rituals make the end official and are helpful in dealing with grief – provides “closure”
Death of a Child
o Caregivers and loved ones play a major role in managing the circumstances surrounding the death
o [slide #12] Death rates for infants and children have fallen dramatically
[slide #13] Grieving when a child dies
o Grieving is particularly intense
o Grieving children may not have an understanding of death and make the questions difficult to address
The Circle comes to Closure [Slide 14]
Each person’s “Life Cycle” is entrenched in biological & cultural contexts. They interact through out the life cycle, including the stage of life called death.
Death and the individual’s understanding & perception of it often gives new meaning to life [the cancer survivor’s reaction].
Death & Dying
Thoughts & Fears about Death - “The irrevocable cessation of life functions”
Denial:
Historically: people were much more familiar with death; saw it more realistically in some ways; as a “Natural Event”. Family & friends cared for the
Modern times: technological death; invisible death – hospitals, medical caregivers, morticians
1969 study (Kubler-Ross) – once Dx of terminal illness made, drs. & nurses paid less attn. to patients; talked to them less, provided only most necessary contact, usually did not tell pt. of terminal Dx, discouraged pt. from talking about feelings of impending death.
1998 study (Kastenbaum) – showed this situation changed. All nursing programs & many programs for doctors include elements of “death education” emphasizing “pt.’s right to know”. “Good outcomes”: 1.) death with dignity, 2.) chance to express final sentiments to family & friends, 3.) faces death in manner consistent with values & lifestyle
Preoccupation:
Personal, religious & cultural meanings of death are major determinants of anxiety about death. Personal beliefs & convictions are most important.
Psychoanalytic theory says fear & anxiety about death are “normal”; this is not necessarily true
What research shows:
Managing the anxiety associated with one’s own death
1. Our biologically motivated desire for life is in direct contradiction with our knowledge that we will die at some point
2. “Terror Management theory” - We cope with the terror of death by developing our self esteem and becoming competent, attached, and important to other people
3. Death can be a force that encourages us to move forward in our lives
· Older people are actually less likely to be anxious & fearful of death than younger people
· 1970 study (Jeffers & Verwoerdt) – only 10% of older adults said they were afraid to die. However many said they were afraid of a prolonged, painful death.
What would you do if you had only 6 mos. to live? (Kalish 1987)
· Younger adults: Travel, fulfill dreams, do things haven’t been able to do, but always wanted
· Older adults: contemplation, meditation, inner focused activities, spend time with family & close friends
· Although older people may think about death more often, they are generally not anxious or fearful of it & often surprisingly calm about it.
· People with strong religious convictions & personal believes & convictions generally have less depression & anxiety about death – afterlife; transition, rather than end –BUT – personal believes & convictions may be more important
· Those who do not believe in afterlife may be terrified by approaching death but not necessarily.
People who find meaning & purpose in life incorporate the knowledge that death as a natural part of life into their “meaning & purpose”. Death is seen as natural & even peaceful.
· Anxiety about impending death changes over time. People diagnosed with possibly fatal disease often show marked anxiety initially but, anxiety is gradually reduced over several weeks & months. (Belsky, 1984)
Confronting One’s Own Death
The Final Stage of development: Young, healthy people can “put off” thoughts of death. But, in cases of serious illness & in old age thoughts of death are unavoidable. Dealing with one’s own death becomes a developmental task.
Time allows one to adjust to the idea of death. Those not facing imminent death often spend time adjusting to the idea by reviewing their life… reliving events… searching for self-awareness & an understanding of their life.
Quote from textbook: “…this life review is a very important step in the lifelong growth of the individual. At no other time is there as strong a force toward self-awareness as in older adulthood. The process often leads to real personality growth; individuals resolve old conflicts, reestablish meaning in life, and even discover new things about themselves (Butler, 1968, 1980 – 1981). Only in coping with the reality of approaching death can we make crucial decisions about what is important and who we really are. Death lends the necessary perspective (Kubler-Ross, 1975). Paradoxically, then, dying can be ‘a process of re-commitment to life’ (Imara, 1975).” –page 634?
[slide #2] Stages of Adjustment: study of people who had just been told they had a terminal illness and a short time to live. (Kubler-Ross, 1969)
· Denial
· Anger, resentment, envy
· Bargaining
· Depression
· Acceptance – Can we accept/ be prepared when were young?
Not everyone goes through these stages and most do not necessarily go through them in a particular order. We should, therefore, not assume what person is experiencing or “force” them into a set pattern of stages.
Kastenbaughm (1998, 2000) - …allow people to follow their own path to dying…give the opportunity, if they want, to talk about their feelings, what they are experiencing, concerns, past experiences, conflicts that are troubling them, have questions answered, get their lives in order, see relatives and friends, to forgive and ask forgiveness.
6 Practical suggestions for care-givers: Page 636, fig. 19.1
Alternative directions, paths & courses
The particular course of a disease affects one’s reaction to death….
How much pain, suffering, & medical intervention are experienced?
“Time left to live” issue: How much time is there to adjust & accept?
· Idea of Trajectories
o Think about the meaning of the word…what to expect:
§ Ideal? – Live healthy live to 85+, put affairs in order, die suddenly in sleep without pain? Most would prefer a sudden death, especially the young.
o How much control over that trajectory does the individual have? Can they control the level of Tx. to affect it?
· The case of AIDS:
o emotionally loaded illness
o victims often young
o long, slow death process
o often very incapacitating
o exhausting on care-givers
· Suicide [Slide #3]
o Rate among older people, especially men [4X higher than women].
o Most suicides are people over 45 of those, most are over 65.\
o the rate (%) for men continues to increase beyong age 80
o “Passive” Suicide
§ [slide #4] Submissive Death: “Surrendering to death”; “Just letting yourself die”
§ [slide #5] Suicidal Erosion: “Killing Myself By Degree”
o [slide #6] ASSISTED SUICIDE – providing people with a terminal illness the means to end their own life, such as by allowing them to self administer a lethal drug
o Euthanasia [slide #7]
§ Active - taking steps to bring about another person’s death, specifically in cases of terminal illness
§ Passive– withholding or disconnecting life sustaining equipment so that death can occur naturally
· Is there a Humane Death? [slide #8]
o The Right To Die – Death is a right to be exercised at the individual’s discretion
o Hospice – a philosophy of care designed to help people with a terminal illness live out their days as fully and independently as possible by giving the needed care, counseling, support, pain management, and other assistance for people with a terminal illness and their families
v [slide #9 ] PALLIATIVE CARE – care that attempts to prevent or relieve the emotional distress and physical difficulties associated with a life threatening illness
v END OF LIFE CARE – care that specifically addresses the concerns and the circumstances associated with impending death
v [slide #10] Living Wills – “A Formal Request”: a legal directive signed by a person indicating that the person does not wish that extraordinary measures be employed to sustain life in case of terminal illness
v Medical Power of Attorney -
Grief & Bereavement [slide #11]
GRIEF OF WORK –dealing with the emotional reactions to the loss of a loved one
Anticipatory grief - grief experienced as people emotionally prepare themselves for the death of a loved one, as in cases of prolonged terminal illness
BEREAVEMENT OVERLOAD – a stress reaction experienced by people who lose several friends or loved ones during a short period of time; often characterized by depression
CHRONIC GRIEF – an ingrained, pathological mourning process in which the person never overcomes the grief
Bereavement Across Cultures
o Western cultures think proper grieving occurs by recovering and returning to normal as quickly as possible
o Other cultures stress maintaining a bond with the deceased
o Todos Santos: The Day of the Dead
Rituals and customs
o Funerals and memorial services are common and can impart a sense of order, decorum, and continuity
o Survivors take comfort from the rituals
o Rituals make the end official and are helpful in dealing with grief – provides “closure”
Death of a Child
o Caregivers and loved ones play a major role in managing the circumstances surrounding the death
o [slide #12] Death rates for infants and children have fallen dramatically
[slide #13] Grieving when a child dies
o Grieving is particularly intense
o Grieving children may not have an understanding of death and make the questions difficult to address
The Circle comes to Closure [Slide 14]
Each person’s “Life Cycle” is entrenched in biological & cultural contexts. They interact through out the life cycle, including the stage of life called death.
Death and the individual’s understanding & perception of it often gives new meaning to life [the cancer survivor’s reaction].
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Lecture Notes/Chapter Outine Chapter 16: Older Adulthood Physical & Cognitive Development
Chapter 16: Older Adulthood Physical & Cognitive Development
I. Aging Today
A. Ageism and stereotypes
1. AGEISM – the widely prevalent negative attitudes which many people hold of older adults, that overvalues youth and degrades older people
2. The error of generalizing from the few to the many
a. In the U.S. people still use ageist stereotypes
b. Some of these images may reflect the cohort that makes up elderly people today
c. The context in which we hear about the elderly is often negative
d. Older people are often seen as both wise and senile, kind and grouchy, concerned for others and inactive and unsociable
3. A sociocultural perspective
a. FILIAL PIETY – the veneration given to the elderly in Asian cultures and other cultures, which is manifested in cultural traditions, as well as in everyday encounters
b. Some cultures view their elderly as wise and hold them in high reverence
c. The median age of people in the US is 35.4 and growing
B. Four decades of later life
1. Young-old: ages 60-69
a. This stage is accompanied by a major transition in roles
b. Income is often reduced by retirement or reduced hours or work
c. Retirement is the key developmental transition
d. Expectations of people in their 60s is greatly reduced
2. Middle-aged-old: ages 70-79
a. SEPTUAGENARIANS – people in their 70s
b. This stage is often characterized by significant illness and loss
c. Increasingly larger proportions of adults in their 70s are maintaining good health
3. Old-old: ages 80-89
a. OCTOGENARIANS – people in their 80s
b. Most people in the age group are frail but not necessarily disabled or totally dependent on others
c. This group makes up the fastest growing group in the U.S. population
4. Very old-old: ages 90 and over
a. NONAGENARIANS – people in their 90s
b. Changes that shape life for people in their 90s are slow and gradual
c. They only experience minimal cognitive decline and could be healthier and more agile than people 20 years younger
5. Aging in perspective
a. Older adults are not a cohesive group but, rather, are a collection of subgroups
b. Each person experiences older adulthood in a different way
II. The Physical Aspects of Aging
A. PATHOLOGICAL AGING FACTORS – the cumulative effects that result from earlier events and lifestyle choices – accidents, previous illnesses, or bad health habits – that may accelerate aging
B. The changing body
1. Appearance
a. Gray or thinning hair
b. Shift in posture
c. Deepening wrinkles
2. Muscles, bones, and mobility
a. Weaker, shorter, and less able to maintain balance
b. Strength and endurance decrease
c. This decline can be delayed by high intensity exercise training
d. Osteoporosis can contribute to problems with mobility
3. Internal organs
a. Reduced functioning of most internal organs
b. The heart, like other muscles decreases in strength and efficiency
c. Reserve capacity of the heart, lungs and other organs decreases
4. Sleep problems
a. Insomnia – inability to sleep
b. Sleep apnea – repeated waking due to interruption or pauses in breathing
c. usually can be treated with medication or change in habits
5. The senses
a. All senses generally become less efficient as we age
b. Taste is least affected
c. HYPERTENSION – abnormally high blood pressure, sometimes accompanied by headaches and dizziness
d. CATARACT – the clouding of the lens of the eye that obstructs light and thereby limits vision
e. GLAUCOMA – an increase of pressure within the eyeball that can result in damage and the gradual loss of vision
f. VISUAL ACUITY – the ability to distinguish fine detail
6. brain and nervous system
a. DEMENTIA – a disorder associated with older age that includes a broad array of cognitive deficiencies, such as impaired learning and memory ability, a deterioration of language and motor functions, a progressive inability to recognize familiar people and objects, frequent confusion, and personality changes
b. Reaction times are slower; words and names are harder to remember
c. Shrinkage of the frontal cortex, which controls higher cognitive functions, occurs
d. Fewer connections among neurons appears to cause decreased brain weight
C. Health, disease, and nutrition
1. Chronic health problems
a. Chronic diseases are those that are lasting or recurring
b. The most common is hypertension
c. Visual and hearing impairments and the aftereffects of falls are also problematic for a large percentage of adults
d. These problems largely reflect the body’s decreased ability to cope with stress
e. Sociocultural factors also play a part
f. ATHEROSCLEROSIS – hardening of the arteries, which is a common condition of aging caused by the body’s increasing inability to use excess fats in the diet; responsible for many of the heart conditions prevalent among older people; these fats are stored along the walls of arteries where they restrict flow of blood when they harden
g. Dietary deficiencies in old age are often remedied by vitamin supplements
2. The misuse of prescribed medication
a. Abuse relates to the abundance of medications that are prescribed to the elderly
b. They may forget which medications they have taken or how much to take
c. They may fail to report all the medications they are taking to their physicians
d. Their body chemistry may shift and the action of the drugs may change
III. The Causes of Aging
A. SENESCENCE – the normal aging process, not connected with the occurrence of disease in an individual; refers to the universal biological process of aging
B. Theories of Aging
1. Stochastic theories
a. STOCHASTIC THEORIES OF AGING – theories suggesting that the body ages as a result of random assaults from both internal and external environments
b. Also called wear and tear theories
c. Free radicals that are left over from cellular process react with other chemical compounds and this interrupts normal cell functions causing damage
d. Toxins build up over time and could cause cellular damge
e. Age inhibits the repair mechanisms that counterbalance the damage
2. biological clock theories
a. BIOLOGICAL CLOCK THEORIES OF AGING – theories suggesting that genetic programming determines the pace and process of aging
b. Telomeres become shorter with cell division and there is not enough telomere left eventually and the cell will fail to reproduce and then die
c. A hormone starts a process of cellular decline at a programmed rate
IV. Cognitive Changes in Advanced Age
A. Understanding various aspects of cognition
1. Speed of cognition
a. Slower reaction times, slower perceptual processing, and slower cognitive process in general
b. Attributable to the neurological changes associated with aging
c. Also due to the different strategies that older people use
d. Compensation for the loss of speed usually occurs
2. Memory
a. sensory memory and short term memory decline slightly or not at all
b. working memory declines but more effective strategies can limit the effects
c. episodic long term memory declines but may be due to slower processing speed
d. semantic long term memory shows minimal decline
3. Wisdom
a. WISDOM – an expert knowledge system that focuses on the practicalities of life and that involves excellent judgment and advice on critical life issues, including the meaning of life and the human condition; wisdom represents the capstone of human intelligence
b. Wisdom is assessed by posing dilemmas and evaluating how a person’s responses approach the 5 criteria of wisdom related knowledge
i. Factual knowledge
ii. Procedural knowledge
iii. Life span contextualism
iv. Value relativism
v. Recognition and management of uncertainty
B. Cognitive decline
1. Dementia
a. Chronic confusion, forgetfulness, and accompanying personality changes
b. Unable to cope with routine tasks
c. Not simply an aspect of growing old, it results from specific causes
2. General causes of cognitive decline
a. Poor health
b. Non-stimulating environment
3. Specific causes of cognitive decline
a. STROKE – blockage of blood to a region in the brain, which can cause brain damage
b. atherosclerosis
c. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE – a disease that causes dementia due to a progressive deterioration of brain cells, especially those in the cerebral cortex
i. Memory impairment
ii. Language disturbance
iii. Motor impairment
iv. Inability to recognize objects or people
v. Impairment in executive functions
vi. Gradual and continuous onset
vii. Cause is not known
C. Compensating for an aging mind
1. Reorganize and adjust their sense of self in response to the changes in mental abilities
2. Sustained overall activity is linked to the ability to compensate
3. Select fewer tasks
4. Devote more attention to the tasks
5. Optimize their outcomes
I. Aging Today
A. Ageism and stereotypes
1. AGEISM – the widely prevalent negative attitudes which many people hold of older adults, that overvalues youth and degrades older people
2. The error of generalizing from the few to the many
a. In the U.S. people still use ageist stereotypes
b. Some of these images may reflect the cohort that makes up elderly people today
c. The context in which we hear about the elderly is often negative
d. Older people are often seen as both wise and senile, kind and grouchy, concerned for others and inactive and unsociable
3. A sociocultural perspective
a. FILIAL PIETY – the veneration given to the elderly in Asian cultures and other cultures, which is manifested in cultural traditions, as well as in everyday encounters
b. Some cultures view their elderly as wise and hold them in high reverence
c. The median age of people in the US is 35.4 and growing
B. Four decades of later life
1. Young-old: ages 60-69
a. This stage is accompanied by a major transition in roles
b. Income is often reduced by retirement or reduced hours or work
c. Retirement is the key developmental transition
d. Expectations of people in their 60s is greatly reduced
2. Middle-aged-old: ages 70-79
a. SEPTUAGENARIANS – people in their 70s
b. This stage is often characterized by significant illness and loss
c. Increasingly larger proportions of adults in their 70s are maintaining good health
3. Old-old: ages 80-89
a. OCTOGENARIANS – people in their 80s
b. Most people in the age group are frail but not necessarily disabled or totally dependent on others
c. This group makes up the fastest growing group in the U.S. population
4. Very old-old: ages 90 and over
a. NONAGENARIANS – people in their 90s
b. Changes that shape life for people in their 90s are slow and gradual
c. They only experience minimal cognitive decline and could be healthier and more agile than people 20 years younger
5. Aging in perspective
a. Older adults are not a cohesive group but, rather, are a collection of subgroups
b. Each person experiences older adulthood in a different way
II. The Physical Aspects of Aging
A. PATHOLOGICAL AGING FACTORS – the cumulative effects that result from earlier events and lifestyle choices – accidents, previous illnesses, or bad health habits – that may accelerate aging
B. The changing body
1. Appearance
a. Gray or thinning hair
b. Shift in posture
c. Deepening wrinkles
2. Muscles, bones, and mobility
a. Weaker, shorter, and less able to maintain balance
b. Strength and endurance decrease
c. This decline can be delayed by high intensity exercise training
d. Osteoporosis can contribute to problems with mobility
3. Internal organs
a. Reduced functioning of most internal organs
b. The heart, like other muscles decreases in strength and efficiency
c. Reserve capacity of the heart, lungs and other organs decreases
4. Sleep problems
a. Insomnia – inability to sleep
b. Sleep apnea – repeated waking due to interruption or pauses in breathing
c. usually can be treated with medication or change in habits
5. The senses
a. All senses generally become less efficient as we age
b. Taste is least affected
c. HYPERTENSION – abnormally high blood pressure, sometimes accompanied by headaches and dizziness
d. CATARACT – the clouding of the lens of the eye that obstructs light and thereby limits vision
e. GLAUCOMA – an increase of pressure within the eyeball that can result in damage and the gradual loss of vision
f. VISUAL ACUITY – the ability to distinguish fine detail
6. brain and nervous system
a. DEMENTIA – a disorder associated with older age that includes a broad array of cognitive deficiencies, such as impaired learning and memory ability, a deterioration of language and motor functions, a progressive inability to recognize familiar people and objects, frequent confusion, and personality changes
b. Reaction times are slower; words and names are harder to remember
c. Shrinkage of the frontal cortex, which controls higher cognitive functions, occurs
d. Fewer connections among neurons appears to cause decreased brain weight
C. Health, disease, and nutrition
1. Chronic health problems
a. Chronic diseases are those that are lasting or recurring
b. The most common is hypertension
c. Visual and hearing impairments and the aftereffects of falls are also problematic for a large percentage of adults
d. These problems largely reflect the body’s decreased ability to cope with stress
e. Sociocultural factors also play a part
f. ATHEROSCLEROSIS – hardening of the arteries, which is a common condition of aging caused by the body’s increasing inability to use excess fats in the diet; responsible for many of the heart conditions prevalent among older people; these fats are stored along the walls of arteries where they restrict flow of blood when they harden
g. Dietary deficiencies in old age are often remedied by vitamin supplements
2. The misuse of prescribed medication
a. Abuse relates to the abundance of medications that are prescribed to the elderly
b. They may forget which medications they have taken or how much to take
c. They may fail to report all the medications they are taking to their physicians
d. Their body chemistry may shift and the action of the drugs may change
III. The Causes of Aging
A. SENESCENCE – the normal aging process, not connected with the occurrence of disease in an individual; refers to the universal biological process of aging
B. Theories of Aging
1. Stochastic theories
a. STOCHASTIC THEORIES OF AGING – theories suggesting that the body ages as a result of random assaults from both internal and external environments
b. Also called wear and tear theories
c. Free radicals that are left over from cellular process react with other chemical compounds and this interrupts normal cell functions causing damage
d. Toxins build up over time and could cause cellular damge
e. Age inhibits the repair mechanisms that counterbalance the damage
2. biological clock theories
a. BIOLOGICAL CLOCK THEORIES OF AGING – theories suggesting that genetic programming determines the pace and process of aging
b. Telomeres become shorter with cell division and there is not enough telomere left eventually and the cell will fail to reproduce and then die
c. A hormone starts a process of cellular decline at a programmed rate
IV. Cognitive Changes in Advanced Age
A. Understanding various aspects of cognition
1. Speed of cognition
a. Slower reaction times, slower perceptual processing, and slower cognitive process in general
b. Attributable to the neurological changes associated with aging
c. Also due to the different strategies that older people use
d. Compensation for the loss of speed usually occurs
2. Memory
a. sensory memory and short term memory decline slightly or not at all
b. working memory declines but more effective strategies can limit the effects
c. episodic long term memory declines but may be due to slower processing speed
d. semantic long term memory shows minimal decline
3. Wisdom
a. WISDOM – an expert knowledge system that focuses on the practicalities of life and that involves excellent judgment and advice on critical life issues, including the meaning of life and the human condition; wisdom represents the capstone of human intelligence
b. Wisdom is assessed by posing dilemmas and evaluating how a person’s responses approach the 5 criteria of wisdom related knowledge
i. Factual knowledge
ii. Procedural knowledge
iii. Life span contextualism
iv. Value relativism
v. Recognition and management of uncertainty
B. Cognitive decline
1. Dementia
a. Chronic confusion, forgetfulness, and accompanying personality changes
b. Unable to cope with routine tasks
c. Not simply an aspect of growing old, it results from specific causes
2. General causes of cognitive decline
a. Poor health
b. Non-stimulating environment
3. Specific causes of cognitive decline
a. STROKE – blockage of blood to a region in the brain, which can cause brain damage
b. atherosclerosis
c. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE – a disease that causes dementia due to a progressive deterioration of brain cells, especially those in the cerebral cortex
i. Memory impairment
ii. Language disturbance
iii. Motor impairment
iv. Inability to recognize objects or people
v. Impairment in executive functions
vi. Gradual and continuous onset
vii. Cause is not known
C. Compensating for an aging mind
1. Reorganize and adjust their sense of self in response to the changes in mental abilities
2. Sustained overall activity is linked to the ability to compensate
3. Select fewer tasks
4. Devote more attention to the tasks
5. Optimize their outcomes
Lecture Notes/Outine: Chapter 17: Older Adulthood Personality & Sociocultural Development
Chapter 17: older Adulthood Personality & Sociocultural Development
I. Personality and Aging
A. STATUS PASSAGES – the changes in role and social position that occurs when a person enters adolescence, becomes a parent, retires, or becomes a widow or widower
B. Developmental tasks in older adulthood
1. Erikson’s stage of integrity versus despair
a. INTEGRITY VERSUS DESPAIR – according to Erikson, the final developmental task in the lifespan when people think about how their lives have fulfilled their earlier expectations
b. Part of the adjustment to older adulthood includes the need to reminisce and reflect on past events
c. Older adults may still have regrets, but satisfactory resolution involves accepting that not everything in life has worked out as ideal, yet life has been of value
2. Maintaining identity
a. Identity is a clear and consistent view of the physical, psychological, and social attributes of one’s self
b. Assimilation of changing circumstances and accommodating one’s self when major life events cannot be assimilated
c. Ideally a balance between assimilation and accommodation occurs
d. Maintaining consistency in personal identity is key for many of the very old
C. Emotional development in older adulthood
1. This life stage is usually experienced as one of continued emotional growth
2. Satisfaction with their interpersonal relationships occurs
3. Awareness of the fragility of human life leads to greater investments in emotionally close relationships
4. Positive emotions occur at the same rate, but negative emotions surface less frequently
5. Sense of time is fleeting and usually deepens and can cause sadness
D. Continuity and change in older adulthood
1. Continuity and change in personality
a. Personality is largely established by early adulthood, but some minor changes occur
b. Have higher self esteem and more life satisfaction
c. Well being has been conceptualized as being comprised of six components
d. Each of these components can increase or decrease as adults grow older
e. They are self acceptance, positive relations with other people, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth
2. Coping styles
a. Coping styles appear to become increasingly mature as we grow older
b. Found to be more passive and focused on emotions instead of active and focusing on specific problems
c. MAGIC MASTERY – a coping style of very old men that is characterized by dealing with reality through projection and distortion
d. PARENTAL IMPERATIVE – the traditional social pressures for women to conform to nurturing roles and for men to be financially responsible and to suppress any traits that conflict with that role. The parental imperative usually relaxes when children are launched
E. Successful aging
1. Social comparison plays a crucial role
2. Older adults who compare their situations to those of other older people modify their perspectives accordingly
3. Health is not the only factor, money, social class, marital status, adequacy of housing, and amount of social interaction also play an influence on satisfaction
4. Successful aging involves maintaining physical and cognitive functioning and being engaged in social and productive activities
II. Retirement: A Major Change in Status
A. Adjusting to retirement
1. Attitude toward work is an important influence on how a person experiences retirement
2. If they are very devoted to work, leisure activities may seem superficial and lack meaning
3. Economic status is another major factor
4. Women are often more likely to be poor
5. This could possibly be due to lower wages during working time
6. Health also plays a role in satisfaction with the transition to retirement
B. Retirement options
1. Older adults often prefer to continue working, but for fewer hours
2. Increases in social security benefits, retirement funds, and pensions are partially responsible for delayed retirement and early retirement
3. Income, a place to live, adequate savings, and plans for further work, are specific factors considered before retirement
4. RETIREMENT MATURITY – a measure of how well prepared a person is to retire
III. Family and Friends: Interpersonal Contexts
A. When parenting is over
1. When children leave, relationships change
2. Decreased stress and increased feelings of satisfaction occur
3. Couples with marriage as the emotional center of their lives are generally among the most satisfied
4. Relationships with children and grandchildren
a. Most adults report having relatively frequent contact with their children and grandchildren
b. Grandparenthood is often seen as one of the most satisfying roles of older adulthood
c. Kinship patterns have undergone change
d. Divorce and remarriage have made family grand-parenting more complex, but grandparents have an important role in maintaining stability during disruption
B. Caring for an ill spouse
1. When illness is temporary it is relatively easy to make short term adjustments
2. When an illness is terminal, care giving can consume the caregiver’s life
3. Despite stresses and strains, caregivers often report gratification from providing care for a person who means so much to them
C. Widows and widowers
1. Living arrangements
a. Women are less likely than men to remarry
b. Women tend to survive their spouses
c. Living alone involves many practical and psychological challenges
d. The prospect of being alone causes loneliness, and therefore many of these people seek out companionship from friends and family members
2. Social support
a. Widowers are less active in social organizations
b. Widows have an easier time maintaining a social life
c. Typically depend heavily on their children
d. Having the children become more involved can cause problems
e. Siblings also contribute to helping an older adult adjust to he loss of their spouse
f. Friendships can provide similar support, but older adults do not feel they can make the same demands on friends as family
IV. U.S. Social Policy and Older Adulthood
A. The demographics of aging
1. SOCIAL SECURITY – a U.S. government pension program of forced savings through payroll deductions from working adults’ income and corporate contributions, with money disbursed to the adults after they reach a certain minimum age, usually at retirement
2. MEDICARE – a U.S. government program subsidized by taxes that provides payment for many basic health care services and drugs needed by older adults
3. SS provides the largest proportions of retirement income for older adults
4. SS and Medicare are just 2 programs
5. Another problem that needs to be addressed is public housing does not accommodate the requirements of older adults
B. Lifestyle options for older adults
1. Nursing homes
a. Placement can be temporary or long term
b. The care received can vary widely in quality
c. People often experience anxiety and dread before entering a nursing home
d. Children often feel guilty
e. Loss of independence, identity, and control over daily routine can lead to apathy, passivity, bitterness, or depression
f. Assisted living centers are growing in popularity – older adults live in their own apartments but also receive some support in meeting their daily needs
2. Day care centers for older adults
a. For families who care for their older relative in the evening and at night
b. Day care centers allow the family to maintain a normal work schedule
c. They also provide a stimulating and agreeable environment for older adults
d. Usually the cost is not covered by health insurance
3. Other options
a. Retirement communities allow adults to maintain their own home, while living in communities comprised of other older residents
b. Community services can sometimes allow people to stay in their own homes and still get some limited support
C. Goals for the care of older adults
1. Older adults are a varied group
2. Gray Panthers and the AARP are giving older adults a better self image
3. Older adults do not imply a larger or unfair burden on the rest of society
I. Personality and Aging
A. STATUS PASSAGES – the changes in role and social position that occurs when a person enters adolescence, becomes a parent, retires, or becomes a widow or widower
B. Developmental tasks in older adulthood
1. Erikson’s stage of integrity versus despair
a. INTEGRITY VERSUS DESPAIR – according to Erikson, the final developmental task in the lifespan when people think about how their lives have fulfilled their earlier expectations
b. Part of the adjustment to older adulthood includes the need to reminisce and reflect on past events
c. Older adults may still have regrets, but satisfactory resolution involves accepting that not everything in life has worked out as ideal, yet life has been of value
2. Maintaining identity
a. Identity is a clear and consistent view of the physical, psychological, and social attributes of one’s self
b. Assimilation of changing circumstances and accommodating one’s self when major life events cannot be assimilated
c. Ideally a balance between assimilation and accommodation occurs
d. Maintaining consistency in personal identity is key for many of the very old
C. Emotional development in older adulthood
1. This life stage is usually experienced as one of continued emotional growth
2. Satisfaction with their interpersonal relationships occurs
3. Awareness of the fragility of human life leads to greater investments in emotionally close relationships
4. Positive emotions occur at the same rate, but negative emotions surface less frequently
5. Sense of time is fleeting and usually deepens and can cause sadness
D. Continuity and change in older adulthood
1. Continuity and change in personality
a. Personality is largely established by early adulthood, but some minor changes occur
b. Have higher self esteem and more life satisfaction
c. Well being has been conceptualized as being comprised of six components
d. Each of these components can increase or decrease as adults grow older
e. They are self acceptance, positive relations with other people, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth
2. Coping styles
a. Coping styles appear to become increasingly mature as we grow older
b. Found to be more passive and focused on emotions instead of active and focusing on specific problems
c. MAGIC MASTERY – a coping style of very old men that is characterized by dealing with reality through projection and distortion
d. PARENTAL IMPERATIVE – the traditional social pressures for women to conform to nurturing roles and for men to be financially responsible and to suppress any traits that conflict with that role. The parental imperative usually relaxes when children are launched
E. Successful aging
1. Social comparison plays a crucial role
2. Older adults who compare their situations to those of other older people modify their perspectives accordingly
3. Health is not the only factor, money, social class, marital status, adequacy of housing, and amount of social interaction also play an influence on satisfaction
4. Successful aging involves maintaining physical and cognitive functioning and being engaged in social and productive activities
II. Retirement: A Major Change in Status
A. Adjusting to retirement
1. Attitude toward work is an important influence on how a person experiences retirement
2. If they are very devoted to work, leisure activities may seem superficial and lack meaning
3. Economic status is another major factor
4. Women are often more likely to be poor
5. This could possibly be due to lower wages during working time
6. Health also plays a role in satisfaction with the transition to retirement
B. Retirement options
1. Older adults often prefer to continue working, but for fewer hours
2. Increases in social security benefits, retirement funds, and pensions are partially responsible for delayed retirement and early retirement
3. Income, a place to live, adequate savings, and plans for further work, are specific factors considered before retirement
4. RETIREMENT MATURITY – a measure of how well prepared a person is to retire
III. Family and Friends: Interpersonal Contexts
A. When parenting is over
1. When children leave, relationships change
2. Decreased stress and increased feelings of satisfaction occur
3. Couples with marriage as the emotional center of their lives are generally among the most satisfied
4. Relationships with children and grandchildren
a. Most adults report having relatively frequent contact with their children and grandchildren
b. Grandparenthood is often seen as one of the most satisfying roles of older adulthood
c. Kinship patterns have undergone change
d. Divorce and remarriage have made family grand-parenting more complex, but grandparents have an important role in maintaining stability during disruption
B. Caring for an ill spouse
1. When illness is temporary it is relatively easy to make short term adjustments
2. When an illness is terminal, care giving can consume the caregiver’s life
3. Despite stresses and strains, caregivers often report gratification from providing care for a person who means so much to them
C. Widows and widowers
1. Living arrangements
a. Women are less likely than men to remarry
b. Women tend to survive their spouses
c. Living alone involves many practical and psychological challenges
d. The prospect of being alone causes loneliness, and therefore many of these people seek out companionship from friends and family members
2. Social support
a. Widowers are less active in social organizations
b. Widows have an easier time maintaining a social life
c. Typically depend heavily on their children
d. Having the children become more involved can cause problems
e. Siblings also contribute to helping an older adult adjust to he loss of their spouse
f. Friendships can provide similar support, but older adults do not feel they can make the same demands on friends as family
IV. U.S. Social Policy and Older Adulthood
A. The demographics of aging
1. SOCIAL SECURITY – a U.S. government pension program of forced savings through payroll deductions from working adults’ income and corporate contributions, with money disbursed to the adults after they reach a certain minimum age, usually at retirement
2. MEDICARE – a U.S. government program subsidized by taxes that provides payment for many basic health care services and drugs needed by older adults
3. SS provides the largest proportions of retirement income for older adults
4. SS and Medicare are just 2 programs
5. Another problem that needs to be addressed is public housing does not accommodate the requirements of older adults
B. Lifestyle options for older adults
1. Nursing homes
a. Placement can be temporary or long term
b. The care received can vary widely in quality
c. People often experience anxiety and dread before entering a nursing home
d. Children often feel guilty
e. Loss of independence, identity, and control over daily routine can lead to apathy, passivity, bitterness, or depression
f. Assisted living centers are growing in popularity – older adults live in their own apartments but also receive some support in meeting their daily needs
2. Day care centers for older adults
a. For families who care for their older relative in the evening and at night
b. Day care centers allow the family to maintain a normal work schedule
c. They also provide a stimulating and agreeable environment for older adults
d. Usually the cost is not covered by health insurance
3. Other options
a. Retirement communities allow adults to maintain their own home, while living in communities comprised of other older residents
b. Community services can sometimes allow people to stay in their own homes and still get some limited support
C. Goals for the care of older adults
1. Older adults are a varied group
2. Gray Panthers and the AARP are giving older adults a better self image
3. Older adults do not imply a larger or unfair burden on the rest of society
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Grades - test 4: Chapters 10,11,12,13
Grades - test 4: Chapters 10,11,12,13
P33 – 44/A-
O41- 42/B
T11 – 50/A+
S56 – 20/F
U77 – 45/A
R21 – 29/F
W80 – 45/A
Z99 – 50/A+
Y08 – 47/A
X90 – 42/B
V16 – 47/A
M51 – 48/A
L88 – 50/A+
P33 – 44/A-
O41- 42/B
T11 – 50/A+
S56 – 20/F
U77 – 45/A
R21 – 29/F
W80 – 45/A
Z99 – 50/A+
Y08 – 47/A
X90 – 42/B
V16 – 47/A
M51 – 48/A
L88 – 50/A+
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Lecture Notes/Outine: Chapter 15 Middle Adulthood - Personality & Socio-Cultural Development
Chap. 15 Middle Adulthood: Personality & Socio-Cultural Development
I. Personality Continuity and Change
A. The tasks of middle adulthood
1. The stage of middle adulthood is defined as much by tasks as it is by age
2. Friendships are established with people who are in the same stage even though they may not be the same age
3. Erikson
a. GENERATIVITY VERSUS SELF ABSORPTION – for Erikson, the overarching task of middle age where adults develop either the feeling that they have contributed in worthwhile ways or that their lives have not been worthwhile
b. People act within three domains
i. Procreative – giving and responding to the needs of their children
ii. Productive – integrating work with family life or by caring for the next generation
iii. Creative – contributing to society on a larger scale
c. When a sense of generativity fails to develop, stagnation and boredom are often the result
4. Extending Erikson’s view
a. Peck argued that Erikson’s eight stages placed too much emphasis on earlier stages of life
b. Peck developed new ideas about the conflicts that each person goes through
c. His ideas were focused on middle and older adulthood
B. Personal reactions to middle adulthood
1. Men’s reactions
a. Men have developed routines that allow them to successfully cope with problems
b. Men now realize that family relations are important and they don’t focus on their job roles
c. They have to cope with the idea that they may have not lived up to the standard that they wanted to
2. Women’s reactions
a. The types of adjustment women experience depends on the roles they adopt
b. The timing of key life events also defines their status, lifestyle, and options at middle adulthood
c. ROLE STRAIN – an overload of demands within a given role, such as being a mother or father
3. Goals and choices
a. Reassessment of priorities occurs and they reflect on whether their original goals have been met
b. Finding a way to contribute to other people allows a healthy adjustment
II. Family and Friends: Interpersonal Contexts
A. The generation that runs things
1. This new responsibility means people have to view their lives in a realistic focus
2. They must live in the present
3. KINKEEPER – the role assumed by middle aged people that includes maintaining family rituals, celebrating achievements, keeping family histories alive, reaching out to family members who are far away, and gathering the family together for holiday celebrations – all of which helps keep the family close
B. Relationships with adult children
1. Launching of adolescents and young adults
a. LAUNCHING OF ADOLESCENTS – parents letting go of older adolescent children so that they can assume responsible adult roles
b. Some families are better at letting go than others
c. Parents must learn to accept who their children are
d. This can sometimes violate parents’ expectations and lower their satisfaction, thus straining the relationship
e. It is often harder for single parents
2. Empty nest
a. EMPTY NEST – the period in the family life cycle that occurs after the last child has left home
b. This stage can be difficult if the partners have grown apart over the years
c. They still rely on each other for emotional support
d. Marital satisfaction is not based on the same things as earlier phases of the family phases
3. Mutually reciprocal relationships
a. As children reach adulthood they establish a reciprocal relationship with their parents
b. Children need to distance themselves to see their parents in a realistically; this can hurt parents
C. Relationships with aging parents
1. The reciprocal exchange of assistance
a. Data have revealed lasting social, emotional, and material exchanges between adult children and their parents
b. How children behave toward their parents depends on their stage in the family life cycle, life expectancy, gender, ethnicity, social class, and family history
2. Role reversals
a. Middle aged adults become the generation in charge
b. Their parents may be in poor health, retired, or in need of financial aid
c. Resentment can occur on both sides if realization that this role reversal is common and inevitable
3. caring for elderly parents
a. Most people think that care of the elderly is relegated to nursing homes, but only about 10% of caregivers use formal services
b. Middle aged caregivers hold the responsibility of parent care
c. This can create tension between the child and parent
d. Daughters are more likely than male family members to care for aging parents
D. Becoming a grandparent
1. Majority of people in the U.S. become grandparents during middle age
2. Grandparents can help raise a new generation without the daily responsibilities of being a parent
3. Grandparents are no longer the old person in a rocking chair, but are involved family members
4. Important roles of grandparents include:
a. Being there – they can be a calming presence in the face of disruption
b. Family national guard – actively managing the grandchildren in times of emergency
c. Arbitrator – imparting and negotiating family values, maintaining family continuity, and assisting in times of conflict
d. Maintaining the family’s biography – teaching grandchildren about the heritage and traditions of the family
E. Friendship: a lifelong perspective
1. Friends can serve as a central part of the lives of people who do not marry or have children by providing intimacy
2. Most complex friendships occurred in the late middle aged group
3. People at this stage are likely to appreciate the unique characteristics of their friends
4. Sex differences are also apparent since women are more deeply involved with friends and consider reciprocity to be their most important dimension
III. The Changing Family
A. Divorce and remarriage
1. Why couples divorce
a. When people at any stage of life want more from their marriage, divorce appears preferable to an unhappy relationship
b. Usually a gradual process of emotional distancing
c. Women are usually the initiators of divorce
2. Coping with life after divorce
a. Financial hardship affects both men and women
b. Women must enter the workforce if they were not already working
c. Men may need to work longer hours
d. Grief and mourning over the loss of an intimate relationship occurs
e. Disruption of normal routines also occurs
f. If it occurs in middle adulthood they may have to do things that were considered more appropriate for people in early adulthood like dating, going back to school or finding a new job
3. Starting a new life
a. May feel like they have a new chance at life after divorce
b. May have problems relinquishing their previous roles
c. May be unready to manage financial and legal matters
d. Within 2 or 3 years many individuals experience considerable improvement in well being
e. Men are 3 times as likely to remarry
4. Marriages that succeed
a. Both males and females list “my spouse is my best friend” as the primary reason for happiness
b. They are usually satisfied with their sex lives though it is not a primary factor
c. Marriage helps older people deal with stressful life events
B. RECONSTITUTED / BLENDED FAMILY – a family in which partners with children have remarried or formed a cohabiting relationship; also called a step family
1. Reconstituted families in perspective
a. Now a result of marriage-divorce-remarriage instead of marriage-death-remarriage
b. Contact with the former spouse can make it difficult to maintain appropriate distance between the parents
c. Characterized by more open communication and greater acceptance of conflict
2. Learning to live in a reconstituted family
a. Most parents list discipline as the greatest difficulty in being a stepparent
b. The stereotype of the stepchild as being neglected is widespread, but inaccurate
c. Taking time to develop mutual trust, affection, and closeness to the child helps form a workable relationship
d. Stepparents who try to compete with the stepchild’s biological parent are more likely to fail
IV. Occupational Continuity and Change
A. Job change and stress
1. It is difficult to find another job with comparable pay and benefits
2. Career changes are not welcome and may not go smoothly
3. This can increase stress and conflict both at home and on the job
B. Job loss
1. People who are forced to leave their job experience problems that may outweigh the loss of income
2. Emotional responses include anger, protest, bargaining, and depression
3. More difficult for middle aged adults
4. Those who cope best take loss in stride and don’t turn their anger inward
C. JOB BURNOUT – the emotional exhaustion that often affects people in high stress professions and trades
1. People in helping professions who experience job burnout are generally idealistic, highly motivated, extremely competent workers who realize they can’t make the difference they wanted to
2. General cause is lack of rewards
3. It is not the result of incompetence or personal failings
D. Midcareer reassessment
1. Occurs when workers find out they are not being promoted as rapidly as expected or a job is less desirable than expected
2. Since there is a greater tolerance for deviations from social norms, it has become easier for a wife to support her husband
3. As children grow older and more independent, people in middle adulthood may make changes to reduce their income or transform their way of living
V. Continuity and Change in the Structure of Personality
A. The five factor model
1. Personality can be well described by assessing five traits
2. Emotional stability
3. Extraversion
4. Openness to experiences
5. Agreeableness
6. Conscientiousness
B. Stability or change?
1. Personality seems to be established early in life
2. Agreeableness and conscientiousness increase through adulthood
3. Emotional stability increases more for women than men
4. Personality can be shaped by life events
I. Personality Continuity and Change
A. The tasks of middle adulthood
1. The stage of middle adulthood is defined as much by tasks as it is by age
2. Friendships are established with people who are in the same stage even though they may not be the same age
3. Erikson
a. GENERATIVITY VERSUS SELF ABSORPTION – for Erikson, the overarching task of middle age where adults develop either the feeling that they have contributed in worthwhile ways or that their lives have not been worthwhile
b. People act within three domains
i. Procreative – giving and responding to the needs of their children
ii. Productive – integrating work with family life or by caring for the next generation
iii. Creative – contributing to society on a larger scale
c. When a sense of generativity fails to develop, stagnation and boredom are often the result
4. Extending Erikson’s view
a. Peck argued that Erikson’s eight stages placed too much emphasis on earlier stages of life
b. Peck developed new ideas about the conflicts that each person goes through
c. His ideas were focused on middle and older adulthood
B. Personal reactions to middle adulthood
1. Men’s reactions
a. Men have developed routines that allow them to successfully cope with problems
b. Men now realize that family relations are important and they don’t focus on their job roles
c. They have to cope with the idea that they may have not lived up to the standard that they wanted to
2. Women’s reactions
a. The types of adjustment women experience depends on the roles they adopt
b. The timing of key life events also defines their status, lifestyle, and options at middle adulthood
c. ROLE STRAIN – an overload of demands within a given role, such as being a mother or father
3. Goals and choices
a. Reassessment of priorities occurs and they reflect on whether their original goals have been met
b. Finding a way to contribute to other people allows a healthy adjustment
II. Family and Friends: Interpersonal Contexts
A. The generation that runs things
1. This new responsibility means people have to view their lives in a realistic focus
2. They must live in the present
3. KINKEEPER – the role assumed by middle aged people that includes maintaining family rituals, celebrating achievements, keeping family histories alive, reaching out to family members who are far away, and gathering the family together for holiday celebrations – all of which helps keep the family close
B. Relationships with adult children
1. Launching of adolescents and young adults
a. LAUNCHING OF ADOLESCENTS – parents letting go of older adolescent children so that they can assume responsible adult roles
b. Some families are better at letting go than others
c. Parents must learn to accept who their children are
d. This can sometimes violate parents’ expectations and lower their satisfaction, thus straining the relationship
e. It is often harder for single parents
2. Empty nest
a. EMPTY NEST – the period in the family life cycle that occurs after the last child has left home
b. This stage can be difficult if the partners have grown apart over the years
c. They still rely on each other for emotional support
d. Marital satisfaction is not based on the same things as earlier phases of the family phases
3. Mutually reciprocal relationships
a. As children reach adulthood they establish a reciprocal relationship with their parents
b. Children need to distance themselves to see their parents in a realistically; this can hurt parents
C. Relationships with aging parents
1. The reciprocal exchange of assistance
a. Data have revealed lasting social, emotional, and material exchanges between adult children and their parents
b. How children behave toward their parents depends on their stage in the family life cycle, life expectancy, gender, ethnicity, social class, and family history
2. Role reversals
a. Middle aged adults become the generation in charge
b. Their parents may be in poor health, retired, or in need of financial aid
c. Resentment can occur on both sides if realization that this role reversal is common and inevitable
3. caring for elderly parents
a. Most people think that care of the elderly is relegated to nursing homes, but only about 10% of caregivers use formal services
b. Middle aged caregivers hold the responsibility of parent care
c. This can create tension between the child and parent
d. Daughters are more likely than male family members to care for aging parents
D. Becoming a grandparent
1. Majority of people in the U.S. become grandparents during middle age
2. Grandparents can help raise a new generation without the daily responsibilities of being a parent
3. Grandparents are no longer the old person in a rocking chair, but are involved family members
4. Important roles of grandparents include:
a. Being there – they can be a calming presence in the face of disruption
b. Family national guard – actively managing the grandchildren in times of emergency
c. Arbitrator – imparting and negotiating family values, maintaining family continuity, and assisting in times of conflict
d. Maintaining the family’s biography – teaching grandchildren about the heritage and traditions of the family
E. Friendship: a lifelong perspective
1. Friends can serve as a central part of the lives of people who do not marry or have children by providing intimacy
2. Most complex friendships occurred in the late middle aged group
3. People at this stage are likely to appreciate the unique characteristics of their friends
4. Sex differences are also apparent since women are more deeply involved with friends and consider reciprocity to be their most important dimension
III. The Changing Family
A. Divorce and remarriage
1. Why couples divorce
a. When people at any stage of life want more from their marriage, divorce appears preferable to an unhappy relationship
b. Usually a gradual process of emotional distancing
c. Women are usually the initiators of divorce
2. Coping with life after divorce
a. Financial hardship affects both men and women
b. Women must enter the workforce if they were not already working
c. Men may need to work longer hours
d. Grief and mourning over the loss of an intimate relationship occurs
e. Disruption of normal routines also occurs
f. If it occurs in middle adulthood they may have to do things that were considered more appropriate for people in early adulthood like dating, going back to school or finding a new job
3. Starting a new life
a. May feel like they have a new chance at life after divorce
b. May have problems relinquishing their previous roles
c. May be unready to manage financial and legal matters
d. Within 2 or 3 years many individuals experience considerable improvement in well being
e. Men are 3 times as likely to remarry
4. Marriages that succeed
a. Both males and females list “my spouse is my best friend” as the primary reason for happiness
b. They are usually satisfied with their sex lives though it is not a primary factor
c. Marriage helps older people deal with stressful life events
B. RECONSTITUTED / BLENDED FAMILY – a family in which partners with children have remarried or formed a cohabiting relationship; also called a step family
1. Reconstituted families in perspective
a. Now a result of marriage-divorce-remarriage instead of marriage-death-remarriage
b. Contact with the former spouse can make it difficult to maintain appropriate distance between the parents
c. Characterized by more open communication and greater acceptance of conflict
2. Learning to live in a reconstituted family
a. Most parents list discipline as the greatest difficulty in being a stepparent
b. The stereotype of the stepchild as being neglected is widespread, but inaccurate
c. Taking time to develop mutual trust, affection, and closeness to the child helps form a workable relationship
d. Stepparents who try to compete with the stepchild’s biological parent are more likely to fail
IV. Occupational Continuity and Change
A. Job change and stress
1. It is difficult to find another job with comparable pay and benefits
2. Career changes are not welcome and may not go smoothly
3. This can increase stress and conflict both at home and on the job
B. Job loss
1. People who are forced to leave their job experience problems that may outweigh the loss of income
2. Emotional responses include anger, protest, bargaining, and depression
3. More difficult for middle aged adults
4. Those who cope best take loss in stride and don’t turn their anger inward
C. JOB BURNOUT – the emotional exhaustion that often affects people in high stress professions and trades
1. People in helping professions who experience job burnout are generally idealistic, highly motivated, extremely competent workers who realize they can’t make the difference they wanted to
2. General cause is lack of rewards
3. It is not the result of incompetence or personal failings
D. Midcareer reassessment
1. Occurs when workers find out they are not being promoted as rapidly as expected or a job is less desirable than expected
2. Since there is a greater tolerance for deviations from social norms, it has become easier for a wife to support her husband
3. As children grow older and more independent, people in middle adulthood may make changes to reduce their income or transform their way of living
V. Continuity and Change in the Structure of Personality
A. The five factor model
1. Personality can be well described by assessing five traits
2. Emotional stability
3. Extraversion
4. Openness to experiences
5. Agreeableness
6. Conscientiousness
B. Stability or change?
1. Personality seems to be established early in life
2. Agreeableness and conscientiousness increase through adulthood
3. Emotional stability increases more for women than men
4. Personality can be shaped by life events
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