Adulthood and Old

Age Chapter 5 Section 1 Notes

PHYSICAL CHANGES Physical strength begins to weaken Appearances Change

Gray hair Wrinkles Become shorter

Sight and hearing worsens Ages 40 and up start having troubles seeing

distant objects Gradual or sudden loss in hearing occurs.

Health Problems Marriage and Divorce

46% of marriages end in divorce

COGNITIVE CHANGES Their ability to acquire new skills and

information, solving problems that require speed, etc… begins to reduce

Even though acquiring information with speed reduces adults can still learn new information and expand their vocabulary.

Some people reach their peak of creativity and productivity in their 40s in areas like science and art.

In humanities (History/literature) people reach their peaks in their 60s.

SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Levinson’s Theory of Male Development Important transition periods are at ages 30, 40,

50, and 60 Entering the Adult World

The need to establish a stable lifestyle The Age 30 Crisis

Now is the time to do things that are incomplete in life.

Settling down Establishing complete independence through

striving to obtain seniority. The Middle Transition

Questioning parts of his past and structures his life Middle Adulthood

Understands and tolerates others

FEMALE DEVELOPMENT The “Empty Nest” Syndrome

The departure of the last child in the house. This is not seen as a traumatic time because most women are very happy the their kids are all grown up.

Women begin to reorganize their lives to focus on new interests and activities.

Depression in Midlife Relationships in a woman’s life may change

as children grow, parents die, or marriage fails.

Some women find that their marriage changes once they focus on something other than the needs of their children.