After reading this chapter, the student should be able to address the following:
Discuss the major physiological theories of aging.
Discuss genetics and aging with reference to twin studies.
List the major modifiers of ability, and summarize the relationships between the hypothesized factors that affect aging of physical and mental systems.
Specify the physical changes that occur during late adulthood. Address the functional consequences in each of the four senses as well as other body systems.
Explain changes that occur in late adulthood related to reaction time.
Summarize health concerns in late adulthood.
Name the three causes of death with the highest incidence after age 65.
Discuss recent trends and risk reduction suggestions in prostate cancer.
Differentiate Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Explain the four factors that account for the discrepancy between test scores and actual ability in the elderly.
Define aspects of intelligence in older adults; describe aspects of intelligence and its relationship to social engagement, interpersonal interactions, and personal motivation.
Compare and contrast the studies of creativity in late adulthood; discuss the value of experience and subsequent performance. How are these elements even more important in assessment of elders' intelligence than in young adults?
Outline Dacey's theory of creativity and list critical periods of life during which creative ability is best cultivated.
Compare wisdom, intelligence, and creativity as suggested by Sternberg.
Present the five factors that produce wisdom, according to Baltes and Staudinger.
Distinguish between prospective memory and retrospective memory.
Define Erikson's final stage of human development—integrity versus despair.
Discuss gender roles and role discontinuity in late adulthood.
Discuss sexuality in late adulthood.
Compare and contrast the three proposed approaches to optimal aging in terms of social and familial relationships.
List the four stages of life that most middle-aged couples go through as they pass through life and the corresponding six types of conflict encountered between parents and their offspring.
Discuss changes that occur as a result of widowhood.
Examine issues related to the care of elderly parents.
Discuss the changing role of grandparents.
Review the activity theory, disengagement theory, and socioemotional selectivity theory as they pertain to the elderly.
Describe characteristics of the older worker.
Assess the relationship between retirement and leisure.
