1. Noticeable signs of aging like wrinkles, gray hair, and decreased muscle strength begin to appear in middle adulthood starting in the 40s. 2. Physical changes include weight gain, decreased bone density and vision changes. Hearing and cardiovascular functioning also gradually decline. 3. Hormonal changes impact sexuality and fertility. Menopause occurs in late 40s/early 50s ending menstruation and reducing estrogen levels in women. Testosterone levels slowly decrease in men. 4. While fluid intelligence declines, crystallized intelligence increases with experience. Memory functioning remains stable if effective strategies are used. Job satisfaction is high during middle adulthood.

1. Chapter 15 Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

2. Noticeable Visible Changes See first outwardly visible signs of aging (40s or 50s) Fine lines and wrinkles (loss of collagen and fat under skin) Age spots Hair becomes thinner and grayer. Fingernails and toenails

3. Height, Weight and Strength: The Benchmarks of Change Height Max during the 20’s Remains stable till about 55 Height decrease and many gain weight Body fat increases: 10% of body weight in adolescence, about 20% or more in middle age. Individuals 30% or more overweight, increase probability of dying by about 40%.

4. Strength, Joints, and Bones Muscle strength Noticeable decrease by mid 40s (back & legs) Bone Density Reduces with age Men loose about 1 inch in height Women loose about 2 inches in height OSTEOPOROSIS Bones become brittle, fragile, and thin. Caused by lack of calcium in the body, and lack of exercise. After the late 30s there is progressive bone loss. Women experience about twice the rate of bone loss as men. Bones break more easily and heal more slowly.

5. Vision Vision (starting at age 40) Visual acuity - the ability to discern fine spatial detail in both close and distant objects - begins to decline. Lenses change shape and elasticity. become less transparent, which reduces the amount of light entering. PRESBYOPIA Nearly universal; loss of “near vision”

6. Hearing Hearing Begins gradual decline in middle adulthood PRESBYCUSIS primary loss is for sounds of high frequency About 12 % between 45 and 65 Men are more prone to hearing loss than women Other aging is caused by Loss of hair cells in the inner ear Ear drum becomes less elastic with age

7. Cardiovascular System Liters of blood pumped per minute decreases Coronary arteries narrow Cholesterol level increases with age begins to accumulate on the artery walls by age 60 Artery walls thicken Blood pressure increases Results in higher risk of stroke or heart attack

8. Health and Disease Number of accidents decline Less susceptible to colds and allergies Chronic disorders increase in middle adulthood. Gender differences in chronic disorders Men have a higher incidence of fatal chronic conditions Women have a higher incidence of nonfatal ones.

9. The Climateric Changes in Sexuality Men typically need more time to get an erection volume of fluid in ejaculation declines production of Testosterone (Male sex hormone) also declines Women Walls of the vagina become less elastic and thinner Vagina shrinks potentially making intercourse painful for some women.

10. Menopause Begins late 40’s or early 50s Cessation of menstruation Dramatic decline in estrogen produced Causes symptoms such as “hot flashes,” nausea, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat Some report depression and irritability

11. Hormonal Changes in Middle-Aged Men Hormonal changes, but nothing like the dramatic drop in estrogen that women experience. Testosterone production declines 1% a year Sperm count has slow decline Men do not lose their fertility Drop in testosterone levels results in: Sexual drive often lessens Erections are less full, less frequent, and require more stimulation to achieve them.

12. Sexual Attitudes and Behavior Sexuality Does not fade away for most middle age adults Frequency of sexual intercourse may decrease For most, sexual activities remain a vital part of lives Contributions to sexual freedom: No kids at home Menopause eliminates need for birth control

13. Intelligence Fluid intelligence: ability to deal with new problems and situations Ex) inductive reasoning, spatial orientation, perceptual speed, and verbal memory begins to decline Crystallized intelligence: information, skills, and strategies that people have acquired through education continues to increase

14. Speed of Information Processing Perceptual speed Decline begins in early adulthood, continues in middle adulthood Assessment through reaction-time tasks Ex) Push button at the sight of a light Middle-aged adults are slower than young adults Not dramatic decline More of a decline for women than for men.

15. Memory Verbal memory peaks in 50s. Some studies show a decline (cross-sectional) Effective memory strategies, such as organization and imagery decrease the decline Actually, using such strategies may improve memory

16. Job Satisfaction Increases steadily throughout the work life, from age 20 to 60. For college-educated and non-college-educated adults For women and men Greater commitment to and involvement in our work as we get older. If you can work when how much you want as opposed to what they have to, they are happiest

17. Leisure More ime when you are free to pursue activities and interests of their own choosing—hobbies, sports, reading. Link between type A behavior and heart disease/longevity

18. Chapter 16 Socioemotional Development in Middle Adulthood

19. Generativity vs. Stagnation Generativity adults’ desire to leave a legacy to the next generation. Immortality through a legacy Achieved through parenting, teaching, leading, doing things to benefit the community Stagnation or self-absorption develops when individuals sense that they have done nothing for the next generation

20. Affectionate Love Affectionate or companionate love increases during middle adulthood. Security, loyalty, and mutual emotional interest become key. A relationship is believed to mature when partners: share knowledge with one another assume responsibility for each other’s satisfaction share private information that governs their relationship

21. Marriage and Divorce For married individuals in midlife, most voiced considerable satisfaction with being married. 72% of married midlife individuals reported that their marriage was either “excellent” or “very good.” Getting married in midlife: lowered men’s anxiety, depression, and feelings of vulnerability. Women felt more positive emotions than they had previously. Couples who divorce in midlife tend to be cool, distant, and have suppressed emotions.

22. Consequences of Divorce in Midlife Many perceive divorce in midlife as failing in the best years of their lives. Divorce in Midlife: Men became more depressed and had lower achievement goals. Women who divorced in middle age showed a surge in positive emotions. The perils of divorce in midlife may be fewer and less intense than for younger individuals.

23. The Empty Nest and Its Refilling Empty Nest Syndrome characterized by decrease in marital satisfaction due to the children’s departure which leaves parents with an empty feeling True for parents who live vicariously through their children Most parents do not experience less marital satisfaction, in fact for many it increases after their children have left home.

24. Coming Home More adult children are returning to live at home after an unsuccessful career or divorce. 42% of middle-aged parents had serious conflicts with their resident adult children. Most common complaints is a loss of privacy (both parents and children) Creates a disequilibrium, requiring considerable adaptation on both parties’ parts.

25. Parenting Conceptions Middle-aged parents notice as children became adults they gained a new sense of appreciation for their commitment and influence as parents. Many parents of adult children regret not having had more involvement and better relationships with their children. Children in middle adulthood restructure perceptions of parents viewing them more as unique individuals.

26. Siblings and Friends The majority tend to be close to siblings This pattern has continued from childhood It is rare for sibling closeness to develop for the first time in adulthood. Friendships continue to be as important in midlife as they were in early adulthood.