PSY 3490 M TutorialPSY 3490 M Tutorial

January 28/10January 28/10

Chapter 1- Studying Adult Chapter 1- Studying Adult Development and AgingDevelopment and Aging

Perspectives on Aging Perspectives on Aging

1.1. GerontologyGerontology

2.2. Ageism Ageism

3.3. Life-Span perspectiveLife-Span perspectivea.a. Multidirectionality, plasticity, historical context, Multidirectionality, plasticity, historical context,

multiple causationmultiple causation

Forces of DevelopmentForces of Development

Biological Biological – genetic and health-related factorsgenetic and health-related factors

PsychologicalPsychological– perceptual, cognitive, emotional, personality factors perceptual, cognitive, emotional, personality factors

that affect development (e.g. belief systems)that affect development (e.g. belief systems)

Sociocultural Sociocultural – interpersonal, societal, cultural, ethnic (e.g. interpersonal, societal, cultural, ethnic (e.g.

stereotypes)stereotypes)

Life-cycleLife-cycle– how does the same event affect people at different how does the same event affect people at different

points in their lives?points in their lives?

Interrelations between forces Interrelations between forces

Normative age-graded influencesNormative age-graded influences– combination of forces that are highly correlated with combination of forces that are highly correlated with

age (e.g. puberty, retirement)age (e.g. puberty, retirement)

Normative history-graded influencesNormative history-graded influences– events people experience at the same time (e.g. events people experience at the same time (e.g.

epidemics, generation X)epidemics, generation X)

Non-normative influencesNon-normative influences– events important for a particular individual, but not events important for a particular individual, but not

experienced by everyone (e.g. winning lottery, experienced by everyone (e.g. winning lottery, promotions)promotions)

The Meaning of AgeThe Meaning of Age

Primary agingPrimary aging– normal, disease-free changes over time that are normal, disease-free changes over time that are

inevitable (e.g. menopause, changes in rxn time)inevitable (e.g. menopause, changes in rxn time)

Secondary agingSecondary aging– environmentally induced changes that are not environmentally induced changes that are not

inevitable (e.g. due to illness, disease, pollution)inevitable (e.g. due to illness, disease, pollution)

Tertiary agingTertiary aging– rapid losses that occur shortly before deathrapid losses that occur shortly before death

Research MethodsResearch Methods

ReliabilityReliability– concerns the PRECISION of measurement. concerns the PRECISION of measurement. Would Would

someone taking a memory test over and over get someone taking a memory test over and over get roughly the same score?roughly the same score?

ValidityValidity– Whether an assessment appears to measure what it Whether an assessment appears to measure what it

says it’s going to measure. says it’s going to measure.

An assessment can have high reliability, and not be valid for any particular purpose.– E.g. If you take a memory test several times, you E.g. If you take a memory test several times, you

might get the exact same score every time (high might get the exact same score every time (high reliability), but this tells us nothing about the validity of reliability), but this tells us nothing about the validity of the test (Is the test actually measuring memory?)the test (Is the test actually measuring memory?)

Designs for Studying Designs for Studying DevelopmentDevelopment

Cross-sectional DesignCross-sectional Design– developmental differences are identified by comparing developmental differences are identified by comparing

groups of people varying in age at a single timegroups of people varying in age at a single time

Longitudinal DesignsLongitudinal Designs– the same individuals are observed repeatedly at the same individuals are observed repeatedly at

different points in their livesdifferent points in their lives

Sequential DesignsSequential Designs– using more than one cross-sectional or longitudinal using more than one cross-sectional or longitudinal

design simultaneouslydesign simultaneously

Chapter 2: Physical ChangesChapter 2: Physical Changes

Appearance and MobilityAppearance and Mobility

Changes in skinChanges in skin– How quickly you face ages in under your control, to a How quickly you face ages in under your control, to a

large extent (e.g. exposure to ultraviolet rays)large extent (e.g. exposure to ultraviolet rays)

Changes in hair: Changes in hair: – Large individuals differences, related to hormonal Large individuals differences, related to hormonal

changes changes

Changes in body build: Changes in body build: – decreases in height result from compression of the decreases in height result from compression of the

spine. Weight gain in midlife followed by weight loss spine. Weight gain in midlife followed by weight loss in late lifein late life

Changes in Mobility: Changes in Mobility: – amount of muscle decreases with age, but strength amount of muscle decreases with age, but strength

and endurance only change slightly and endurance only change slightly

Sensory SystemsSensory Systems

Structural Changes in the EyeStructural Changes in the Eye– Decrease in the amount of light that passes through Decrease in the amount of light that passes through

the eye, ability to adjust to changes in illumination the eye, ability to adjust to changes in illumination takes longertakes longer

HearingHearing– Reduced ability to hear high-pitched tonesReduced ability to hear high-pitched tones

BalanceBalance– Dizziness and vertigo increase with ageDizziness and vertigo increase with age

Taste and SmellTaste and Smell– Ability to taste and detect odors begins to decline Ability to taste and detect odors begins to decline

gradually, but wide variations existgradually, but wide variations exist

The Reproductive SystemThe Reproductive System

Female reproductive systemFemale reproductive system– Women transition from being able to have children Women transition from being able to have children

to being unable to bear childrento being unable to bear children

Male reproductive systemMale reproductive system– With increasing age, men show gradual decline in With increasing age, men show gradual decline in

testosterone levels and sperm productiontestosterone levels and sperm production

Sleep and AgingSleep and Aging

Older adults:Older adults:– Take longer to fall asleepTake longer to fall asleep– Are awake more at nightAre awake more at night– Experience major shifts in their circadian Experience major shifts in their circadian

rhythms (e.g. shift from a two-phase rhythm to rhythms (e.g. shift from a two-phase rhythm to a multiphase rhythm)a multiphase rhythm)

Chapter 3: Longevity, Health, Chapter 3: Longevity, Health, and Functioning and Functioning

How Long will we Live?How Long will we Live?

Average longevityAverage longevity– Age at which a particular age cohort can expect to live. Has Age at which a particular age cohort can expect to live. Has

increased because of elimination of many diseasesincreased because of elimination of many diseases

Maximum Longevity: Maximum Longevity: – oldest age to which any individual of a species lives- human limit oldest age to which any individual of a species lives- human limit

is approx. 120 yrsis approx. 120 yrs

Genetic factorsGenetic factors– A strong predictor of your longevity is whether your parents are A strong predictor of your longevity is whether your parents are

long-or short-livedlong-or short-lived

Environmental factorsEnvironmental factors– Disease, toxins, lifestyle and social class can dramatically Disease, toxins, lifestyle and social class can dramatically

shorten longevity (e.g. smoking, exercise, living on reserves)shorten longevity (e.g. smoking, exercise, living on reserves)

Role of Stress in AgingRole of Stress in Aging Stress as a physiological stateStress as a physiological state– Prolonged exposure to stress can result in temporary Prolonged exposure to stress can result in temporary

increases in cardiovascular disease, impaired increases in cardiovascular disease, impaired immune system function, and some forms of cancer immune system function, and some forms of cancer

Stress and the Coping ParadigmStress and the Coping Paradigm– Stress results from a perception of an event as Stress results from a perception of an event as

taxing and as endangering one’s well-being taxing and as endangering one’s well-being – How we interpret an event is what matter!How we interpret an event is what matter!

Effects of Stress on Health:Effects of Stress on Health:– Stress lowers immune system functioning, increases Stress lowers immune system functioning, increases

risk of hypertension and can cause cessation of risk of hypertension and can cause cessation of menstruation in womenmenstruation in women

Common Chronic ConditionsCommon Chronic Conditions

Arthritis and Cardiovascular disease Arthritis and Cardiovascular disease – are the most prevalent chronic conditions experienced are the most prevalent chronic conditions experienced

by older adultsby older adults

IncontinenceIncontinence– Loss of control over the elimination of urine and feces Loss of control over the elimination of urine and feces

on occasional or consistent basis. Increases with age.on occasional or consistent basis. Increases with age.

DiabetesDiabetes– long term effects include nerve damage, kidney long term effects include nerve damage, kidney

disorders, cognitive dysfunctions disorders, cognitive dysfunctions

Cancer– Most common form for men is prostate and for Most common form for men is prostate and for

women is breast cancer. Risk increases markedly women is breast cancer. Risk increases markedly with agewith age

Developmental Changes in how Developmental Changes in how Medications WorkMedications Work

AbsorptionAbsorption– time needed for medications to enter the bloodstream time needed for medications to enter the bloodstream

may increasemay increase

MetabolismMetabolism– slower metabolism of medications means drugs stay in slower metabolism of medications means drugs stay in

the system longer and can lead to toxicitythe system longer and can lead to toxicity

ExcretionExcretion– Meds are often not excreted as quickly, and can lead to Meds are often not excreted as quickly, and can lead to

toxicity toxicity

How do Chronic Conditions How do Chronic Conditions Impact Daily Living?Impact Daily Living?

DisabilityDisability– Effects that chronic conditions have on people’s Effects that chronic conditions have on people’s

ability to engage in activities ability to engage in activities

Risk factors Risk factors – Long-standing behaviors or conditions that increase Long-standing behaviors or conditions that increase

one’s chances of disability (e.g. low SES, smoking)one’s chances of disability (e.g. low SES, smoking)

Extraindividual factors Extraindividual factors – Environment and health care (e.g. surgery, medications, Environment and health care (e.g. surgery, medications,

physical environment supports)physical environment supports)

Intraindividual factors Intraindividual factors – Behavioral- and personality-based (e.g. exercise, Behavioral- and personality-based (e.g. exercise,

positive outlook)positive outlook)

Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment, Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment, Mental Health, and Mental Mental Health, and Mental

Disorders Disorders

Mental Health and AgingMental Health and Aging

Mental Health Mental Health – Ability to balance all aspects of life (i.e. social, physical, Ability to balance all aspects of life (i.e. social, physical,

spiritual, economic, mental)spiritual, economic, mental)

Psychopathology/mental illness Psychopathology/mental illness – a lack of balance in thinking, mood, and/or behaviora lack of balance in thinking, mood, and/or behavior

Life-Span Approach to Defining PsychopathologyLife-Span Approach to Defining Psychopathology– Biological factorsBiological factors: health problems increase with age, and can : health problems increase with age, and can

provide clues to psychological difficulties provide clues to psychological difficulties – Psychological forcesPsychological forces: normative changes in attention, memory can : normative changes in attention, memory can

mimic mental disordersmimic mental disorders– Sociocultural forcesSociocultural forces: social norms and customs vary across : social norms and customs vary across

cultures, so we must ask if the behaviors are appropriate for a cultures, so we must ask if the behaviors are appropriate for a particular person or cultureparticular person or culture

Assessment MethodsAssessment Methods

Self-report (e.g. interview) Self-report (e.g. interview)

Report by others (e.g. family members)Report by others (e.g. family members)

Psychophysiological assessments (e.g. Psychophysiological assessments (e.g. EEGs)EEGs)

Direct Observation (e.g. systematic or naturalistic)

Performance-Based (e.g. mental status exams)

Common Psychological Common Psychological Problems in AdulthoodProblems in Adulthood

DepressionDepression– most common mental disorder, affecting 4% of population. most common mental disorder, affecting 4% of population.

CausesCauses– Biological theories focus on genetic predispositions and changes Biological theories focus on genetic predispositions and changes

in neurotransmittersin neurotransmitters– Psychosocial theories focus on internal beliefs which people Psychosocial theories focus on internal beliefs which people

interpret as uncontrollable interpret as uncontrollable

TreatmentTreatment– Drug therapies:Drug therapies: most effect are SSRIs (boost levels of serotonin) most effect are SSRIs (boost levels of serotonin)– Electroconvulsive therapyElectroconvulsive therapy: used for treating very severe forms of : used for treating very severe forms of

depression that do not respond to medicationdepression that do not respond to medication– PsychotherapyPsychotherapy: focuses on changing how people think, and : focuses on changing how people think, and

current behavior current behavior

Anxiety DisordersAnxiety Disorders

SymptomsSymptoms– All anxiety disorders include a variety of physical All anxiety disorders include a variety of physical

changes that interfere with daily functioning to some changes that interfere with daily functioning to some degree degree

– Physical changes particularly common among older Physical changes particularly common among older adults include dry mouth, sweating, dizziness, adults include dry mouth, sweating, dizziness, headaches, chest pain, insomniaheadaches, chest pain, insomnia

Treatment Treatment – Drug therapy with benzodiazepines is commonDrug therapy with benzodiazepines is common– Psychotherapy includes a range of approaches (e.g. Psychotherapy includes a range of approaches (e.g.

relaxation), and is the treatment of choice relaxation), and is the treatment of choice

Dementia Dementia

Definition Definition – A cluster of conditions characterized by cognitive and A cluster of conditions characterized by cognitive and

behavioral deficits involving some form of permanent behavioral deficits involving some form of permanent brain damage brain damage

Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease – Rapid cell death in the hippocampus, the cortex and Rapid cell death in the hippocampus, the cortex and

basal forebrainbasal forebrain– Increase in plaques and tangles in the brain Increase in plaques and tangles in the brain – Major symptomsMajor symptoms: gradual decline in memory, learning, : gradual decline in memory, learning,

attention, judgment, disorientation in time and space, attention, judgment, disorientation in time and space, communication difficulties, changes n personalitycommunication difficulties, changes n personality

– Symptoms generally worse in evening than in morningSymptoms generally worse in evening than in morning

Other forms of Dementia Other forms of Dementia

Vascular dementiaVascular dementia– results from a series of small infarcts results from a series of small infarcts

Parkinson’s disease: Parkinson’s disease: – cluster of motor problems including slow walking, cluster of motor problems including slow walking,

stiffness, slow tremorstiffness, slow tremor

Huntington’s diseaseHuntington’s disease– involuntary flicking movement of arms and legs, with involuntary flicking movement of arms and legs, with

cognitive impairments developing late in the diseasecognitive impairments developing late in the disease

Crutzfeldt-Jakob disease– transmitted from infected food animals to humans

(e.g. mad cow disease)

Schizophrenia Schizophrenia

severe impairment of thought processes, distorted sense of self, and abnormal motor behavior

Symptoms Symptoms – Hearing voices Hearing voices – Believing that you can read other people’s mindsBelieving that you can read other people’s minds– Bizarre delusionsBizarre delusions– Highly inappropriate emotionality or little emotionality Highly inappropriate emotionality or little emotionality

CausesCauses– Biological theories focus on genetic predispositions and changes Biological theories focus on genetic predispositions and changes

in neurotransmitters dopamine and acetylcholinein neurotransmitters dopamine and acetylcholine

TreatmentTreatment– Drug therapies:Drug therapies: antipsychotic mediations (e.g. Haldol, Thorazine) antipsychotic mediations (e.g. Haldol, Thorazine)

which work on the dopamine systemwhich work on the dopamine system

Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse

Age differencesAge differences– Younger adults more likely to abuse illicit Younger adults more likely to abuse illicit

substances, while older adults more likely to substances, while older adults more likely to abuse over the counter and prescription abuse over the counter and prescription medications medications

AlcoholismAlcoholism– Early-onset develops in early or middle Early-onset develops in early or middle

adulthood and often develops into lifelong adulthood and often develops into lifelong drinking problemsdrinking problems