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Chapter 5

The Life Course

Memory and Intelligence

The process of remembering as a series of steps:
Perception of information
Acting on information and transforming it in some way
Storage of information

Memory and Intelligence

Most testing done in laboratory
Allows researcher to control for variables
Usually cross-sectional
When different parts of IP model are studied
Little age difference in sensory or primary memory

Memory and Intelligence

Much age-related memory decline due to decreased processing speed
Earlier tasks slow later activity
Information from earlier tasks lost as more recent tasks performed
More message “travel time” needed due to changes in neural network

Memory and Intelligence

The Psychometric Perspective
Lab comparisons of older and younger people
Until 1960s, used cross-sectional
Showed peak intelligence around age 30, then decline
Later, longitudinal studies found much slower decline

Memory and Intelligence

Fluid intelligence
Begins decline around age 14
Crystallized intelligence
Increases through adulthood
Declines after about age 70

Memory and Intelligence

Cross Sectional
Compare young and old at one point in time
Confounds age and cohort
Longitudinal
Compares results for same study participants over time

New Models of Mental Ability in Later Life : Baltes and Others

The Study of Wisdom in Later Life
Paul Baltes
Cognition in later life more complex than age differences in overall decline
Berlin Wisdom Project
Found in several wisdom studies

New Models: Developmental Intelligence

Cohen (2005)
Developmental Intelligence
An advanced style of cognition characterized by
Relativistic thinking
Dualistic thinking
Systematic thinking

New Models: Developmental Intelligence

Plasticity and Cognitive Reserve
Stimulating the Brain for Growth in Later Life
An Effective Training Program
Physical Exercise and the Brain
Summary of Findings on Aging and Mental Potential

Creativity

Creativity as Measured by Great Works
Creativity as Personal Expression
Older people often lack the opportunity to express themselves creatively
Creativity can take place at any age
The most creative people learn throughout life

Personality Development: Stage Models

Erikson’s Life Course Model
A fixed set of stages for the life course
Stages unfold over time
Each stage has a challenge with a positive and negative pole
Healthy personalities achieve the positive pole and have resources to tackle challenge

Personality Development: Self-Development in Later Life

Challenges to the Self in Later Life
Societal attitudes toward older people
Physical decline
Loss of social roles
Ageism

Personality Development: Self-Development in Later Life

Personal Growth Despite Challenges
Friends and family
High quality of life despite physical change
Subjective well-being despite health
Growth potential in face of loss
New roles

Spirituality: The Search for Meaning in Later Life

Strong connection to religious communities
Continuity
Collective and individual memories
Attendance may decline, but spirituality stays strong
A unique time for inner growth and discovery

Social Psychological Change: Disengagement Theory

Decreased interaction is mutually beneficial to society and older person
Origin
Allows older people to withdraw as strength declines
Critique
Supports negative stereotypes of older people

Social Psychological Change: Activity Theory

Older people have same needs as middle-aged
Disengagement happens against older person’s will
Origin
Kansas City Studies of Adult Life – 1960s

Social Psychological Change: Continuity Theory

Continuity over the life course
Viewing later life change within existing pattern of thought or behavior
Origin
Gerontologist, Robert Atchley
Critique
No specific critique

Social Psychological Change: The Life Course Perspective

A grand view of the life cycle
The individual is linked to the social environment
Growth through
Social roles; Stages; Social institutions; History
More complex than singular theories

Figure 5.1 Life Span Development

The Structure of the Life Course: Life Events

The challenge of change
Transition between stages
Cultural guideposts
Nonnormative can strain resources
Normative History-Graded
Normative Age-Graded

Abnormal Aging Organic Disorders: Cognitive Impairment in Later Life

Some symptoms
Confusion
Forgetfulness
Anti-social behavior
Wandering
Striking out
Resisting help from caregivers

Abnormal Aging Organic Disorders: Cognitive Impairment in Later Life

Alzheimer’s Disease
Difficult to diagnose as AD
No clear cause
No current treatment
Much research being done to find cause, treatment, cure

Abnormal Aging Functional Disorders: Loneliness

Loneliness is
Dissatisfaction with the quantity or quality of social relationships
Not the same as social isolation
Is risk for health or other problems
Personal may feel lonely, even with social contacts

Abnormal Aging Functional Disorders: Loneliness

What can reduce feelings of loneliness?
Social occasions and gatherings
Regular activities, such as attending meal programs
Children
Pets
Technology

Abnormal Aging Functional Disorders: Depression and Suicide

Suicide among older people
Decreased by ½ 1950-2007
But highest suicide rate is among older people
Highest rate in the United States
Rate probably underestimated

Figure 5.2 Death Rates for Suicide, Age 65 and over, 2006

For All People, White Males, and African American Males