Aging and Older Adulthood (with InfoTrac)

by Erber,Joan T

• ISBN13: 9780534356361
• ISBN10: 0534356362
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-07-13
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Filled with examples that reflect the diversity of the world we live in, Erber's accessible, yet science-based book focuses on research and theory that add to our understanding of aging and older adulthood. Erber organizes the book around complementary 'big point-of-view' theories that focus on successful aging and successful adaptation (such as 'selective optimization with compensation') as well as on those that emphasize matching the person's competencies with demands of the environment (such as the 'ecological model'). To ensure that students acquire a big-picture understanding of the theory's application, Erber closes each chapter with a discussion of these theoretical models.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Introduction to Aging and Older Adulthood	3	(36)
The Study of Aging and Older Adulthood	4	(5)
History of the Scientific Study of Aging	4	(2)
Geriatrics and Gerontology	6	(1)
Why Was the Study of Aging Neglected?	7	(1)
Reasons for Studying Aging and Older Adulthood	7	(2)
Defining Age and Older Adulthood	9	(6)
Definitions of Age	9	(2)
What Is Older Adulthood?	11	(4)
Demographic Profile of Older Americans	15	(12)
Number and Proportion of Older Adults	16	(3)
A Snapshot of the Older Population	19	(8)
Developmental Influences and Issues	27	(4)
Influences on Development	27	(3)
Issues in the Study of Aging	30	(1)
Theoretical Models	31	(4)
The Selective Optimization with Compensation Model of Aging	32	(1)
The Ecological Model of Aging	32	(3)
Key Points	35	(1)
Key Terms	36	(3)
Theory and Method in Studying Aging and Older Adulthood	39	(38)
Metatheoretical Approaches to the Study of Aging	40	(3)
The Mechanistic Metamodel	40	(1)
The Organismic Metamodel	41	(1)
The Contextual Metamodel	41	(1)
The Lifespan Developmental Perspective	42	(1)
Developmental Research	43	(12)
The Age Variable	44	(1)
Factors in Aging Research	45	(2)
Research Design	47	(8)
Measurement	55	(7)
Reliability	56	(1)
Validity	56	(3)
Sampling	59	(3)
Approaches to Conducting Aging Research	62	(8)
The Experimental Approach	62	(2)
The Quasi-Experimental Approach	64	(1)
Quasi-Experimental or Experimental?	65	(2)
Single-Factor and Multifactor Designs	67	(2)
The Descriptive Approach	69	(1)
Ethics in Research on Human Aging	70	(2)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	72	(1)
Key Points	72	(2)
Key Terms	74	(3)
Biological Aging and Health	77	(46)
The Meaning of Longevity	78	(10)
Life Expectancy	79	(4)
Life Span	83	(5)
The Biological Aging Process	88	(9)
Primary and Secondary Aging	88	(1)
Theories of Biological Aging	89	(8)
Individual Differences in Longevity	97	(7)
Nature and Nurture	97	(4)
Can Social Scientists Predict Longevity?	101	(3)
Maximizing Longevity	104	(1)
Physical Changes and Disease	104	(11)
Body Systems	105	(8)
Leading Causes of Mortality	113	(2)
Everyday Functioning and Health Care	115	(4)
Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living	116	(1)
Medication	117	(1)
Medicare	118	(1)
Medicaid	119	(1)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	119	(1)
Key Points	120	(1)
Key Terms	121	(2)
Sensation, Perception, and Attention	123	(40)
Sensory Processes	124	(2)
Threshold and Sensitivity	124	(1)
Absolute Threshold	125	(1)
Difference Threshold	125	(1)
Signal Detection	126	(1)
Perceptual Processes	126	(5)
Speed of Response and Reaction Time	126	(2)
Age-Complexity Hypothesis	128	(1)
Stimulus Persistence Theory	129	(1)
Moderating Age-Related Slowing	130	(1)
Attention	131	(11)
Theoretical Models	132	(4)
Attention Tasks	136	(6)
The Senses: A Closer Look	142	(16)
Smell and Taste	143	(1)
Touch, Proprioception, and Pain	143	(2)
Vision	145	(4)
Hearing	149	(9)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	158	(2)
Key Points	160	(1)
Key Terms	161	(2)
Memory	163	(44)
The Developmental Study of Memory and Age	164	(2)
Concerns About Memory and Aging	164	(1)
Methods of Investigating Memory and Aging	165	(1)
The Information Processing Model	166	(14)
The Sensory Store	166	(1)
The Short-Term Store	167	(2)
The Long-Term Store	169	(4)
Noncontent Attributes of Episodic Memory	173	(2)
Stages of Processing in Episodic Memory	175	(5)
Remote Memory	180	(2)
Factual Information	181	(1)
Autobiographical Information	181	(1)
The Reminiscence Bump	181	(1)
Memory in Everyday Life	182	(12)
Prospective Memory	183	(3)
Implicit Memory	186	(1)
Memory and the Brain	187	(1)
Memory Training	188	(4)
Discourse Memory	192	(2)
Knowledge and Beliefs About Memory	194	(6)
Metamemory	194	(1)
Memory Self-Efficacy	195	(1)
Memory Self-Evaluations	196	(1)
Stereotypes About Memory and Aging	197	(2)
Attributions for Memory Failure	199	(1)
Individual Differences in Memory Among Older Adults	200	(2)
Education and Lifestyle Factors	200	(1)
Health Factors	201	(1)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	202	(1)
Key Points	203	(1)
Key Terms	204	(3)
Intellectual Functioning	207	(40)
Views of Intelligence	208	(3)
Fluid Versus Crystallized Abilities	210	(1)
Mechanics Versus Pragmatics of Intelligence	210	(1)
The Psychometric Approach to Intelligence	211	(8)
Brief History of the Test Movement	211	(2)
Psychometric Tests and Aging Research	213	(3)
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)	216	(2)
Cultural Diversity	218	(1)
Does Intelligence Decline with Age?	219	(5)
The Classic Aging Pattern	223	(1)
The Lifespan Developmental Perspective	224	(1)
Maximizing Intellectual Functioning in Older Adulthood	224	(4)
Testing the Limits	225	(1)
Intervention	225	(1)
Compensation	226	(1)
Optimally Exercised Versus Unexercised Abilities	227	(1)
Individual Differences Among Older Adult Test Takers	228	(5)
Factors Related to Maintenance of Intellectual Functioning	228	(1)
Mental Activity and Intellectual Functioning	229	(4)
Everyday Intelligence and Competence	233	(9)
Conceptions of Intelligence Across the Adult Life Span	234	(1)
Cognitive Competence and Psychometric Scores	235	(1)
Encapsulation	236	(1)
Competence in Daily Life	236	(6)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	242	(1)
Key Points	243	(2)
Key Terms	245	(2)
Cognition and Problem Solving in the Everyday World	247	(40)
Stages of Cognitive Development	248	(5)
Schaie's Stage Model of Cognitive/Intellectual Development	248	(3)
Postformal Thought	251	(2)
Wisdom	253	(5)
Definition of Wisdom	253	(1)
Relationship Between Wisdom and Age	254	(4)
Real-World Intelligence and Problem Solving	258	(7)
Practical Intelligence	258	(1)
Creative Intelligence	259	(4)
Abstract Versus Practical Problem Solving	263	(1)
Interpersonal Problem Solving	264	(1)
Decision Making	265	(6)
Decision Making in a Health Context	265	(4)
Decision Making in a Consumer Context	269	(1)
Decision Making in a Legal Context	270	(1)
Social Cognition	271	(12)
Impression Formation	272	(2)
Causal Attributions	274	(2)
Moral Reasoning	276	(3)
Collaboration in Reasoning and Problem Solving	279	(2)
Emotion and Cognition	281	(2)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	283	(1)
Key Points	284	(1)
Key Terms	285	(2)
Personality and Coping	287	(42)
Studying Personality in Aging and Older Adulthood	288	(2)
Approaches to Investigating Personality	288	(1)
Personality over the Adult Years	289	(1)
How Is Personality Measured?	290	(2)
Self-Report Questionnaires	290	(1)
Projective Techniques	291	(1)
Behavioral Observation	291	(1)
Normative Models of Personality	292	(18)
Stage Models	292	(9)
Personality Dimensions and Traits	301	(3)
Lay Views of Personality	304	(6)
Individual Differences in Coping and Adjustment	310	(14)
Self-Concept	310	(8)
Personal Control	318	(6)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	324	(1)
Key Points	325	(1)
Key Terms	326	(3)
Social Interaction and Social Ties	329	(42)
Social Interaction in Older Adulthood	330	(9)
Activity Theory	330	(1)
Disengagement Theory	331	(1)
Social Exchange Theory	332	(2)
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory	334	(3)
Positive and Negative Aspects of Social Relationships	337	(2)
Social Ties in Older Adulthood	339	(24)
Social Convoys, Social Networks, and Reciprocity	340	(2)
Family Relationships	342	(18)
Nonfamilial Relationships	360	(3)
Elder Abuse and Neglect	363	(4)
Abuse in Domestic Settings	364	(2)
Abuse In Institutional Settings	366	(1)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	367	(1)
Key Points	368	(1)
Key Terms	369	(2)
Employment, Retirement, and Living Arrangements	371	(36)
Employment and Retirement	372	(20)
The Older Employee	372	(9)
Retirement	381	(11)
Living Arrangements	392	(10)
Aging in Place	393	(2)
Age-Segregated Living Arrangements	395	(7)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	402	(1)
Key Points	403	(1)
Key Terms	404	(3)
Mental Health Services, Psychopathology, and Therapy	407	(42)
Older Adults and Mental Health Services	408	(8)
Rate of Mental Disorders Among Older Adults	409	(1)
Older Adults and the Mental Health System	409	(7)
Psychopathology	416	(21)
Diathesis-Stress as a Developmental Model	416	(2)
Depression	418	(5)
Anxiety Disorders	423	(1)
Hypochondriasis	424	(1)
Paranoid Disorders	425	(2)
Alcoholism	427	(1)
Delirium	428	(1)
Dementia	429	(8)
Therapeutic Interventions with Older Adults	437	(8)
Environmental Design and Sensory Retraining	438	(1)
Behavioral Interventions	438	(2)
Reality Orientation and Reminiscence Therapy	440	(1)
Pet Therapy	441	(2)
Individual Psychotherapy	443	(1)
Family Therapy	444	(1)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	445	(1)
Key Points	446	(1)
Key Terms	447	(2)
Facing the End and Looking Toward the Future	449	(26)
Death and Dying	450	(9)
The Dying Trajectory	451	(1)
Advance Directives	451	(3)
Anxiety About Death	454	(2)
Stages of Death and Dying	456	(2)
Care of the Dying Patient	458	(1)
Bereavement and Loss	459	(7)
Attitudes Toward Death	460	(1)
Loss of a Spouse	461	(4)
Loss of Other Meaningful Relationships	465	(1)
Aging in the Future	466	(6)
The Third Age	467	(3)
The Fourth Age	470	(2)
Revisiting the Selective Optimization with Compensation and Ecological Models	472	(1)
Key Points	473	(1)
Key Terms	474	(1)
References	475	(22)
Name Index	497	(8)
Subject Index	505