HSH206 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Body Shape, Cognitive Development
The independence years: middle adulthood
Physical development
There are two keys types of ageing that occur in middle adulthood. Both forms of ageing are evident
in middle age from about 25-65 years.
Primary ageing: Age-related changes that take in a person as time goes by
Secondary ageing: Age-related changes that take place as a consequence of a persons behaviour or a
society's failure to eliminate unhealthy conditions
Looking old
• Grey hair
• Hair thins
• Drier skin
• Wrinkles
• Body shape changes
• Fat pockets
• Loss of strength
Vital body systems
• Organ reserve is decreased
• Become more vulnerable to chronic disease
• Menopause- sexual reproductive system
Cognitive development
Adult thinking differs from adolescent thinking in three major ways: It is more practical, more
flexible and more dialectical. Piaget's post-formal stage for middle adulthood is characterised by
problem finding rather than problem solving. One hallmark of adult thought is the ability to combine
emotions and rational analysis. This ability is particularly useful in responding to emotionally
arousing situations, as when one is being stereotyped.
Many researchers assert that adults make deliberate choice about their intellectual development,
quite separate from culture or education. All abilities can be enhanced or diminished, depending on
how, when and why a person uses them. For example, as people grow older they select certain
aspects of their lives to focus on, and therefore optimise development in those areas, compensating
for declines. Applied to cognition, this means that people become experts in whatever intellectual
skills they choose to develop. Meanwhile, abilities that are not exercised may fade. For example,
people tend to follow their own interests or hobbies that this lifespan stage.
Selective gains and losses
• In middle age people become selective in what intellectual skills they develop
• Everyone develops expertise
• People tend to select activities that are personally meaningful
• Tend to pay less attentions to other activities
Expertise in the workplace
• Selective optimisation with compensation
• Complicated work requires cognitive practice and expertise
Expertise in daily life
• Experience and time lead to some kind of practical expertise
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Document Summary
There are two keys types of ageing that occur in middle adulthood. Both forms of ageing are evident in middle age from about 25-65 years. Primary ageing: age-related changes that take in a person as time goes by. Secondary ageing: age-related changes that take place as a consequence of a persons behaviour or a society"s failure to eliminate unhealthy conditions. Looking old: grey hair, hair thins, drier skin, wrinkles, body shape changes. Vital body systems: organ reserve is decreased, become more vulnerable to chronic disease, menopause- sexual reproductive system. Adult thinking differs from adolescent thinking in three major ways: it is more practical, more flexible and more dialectical. Piaget"s post-formal stage for middle adulthood is characterised by problem finding rather than problem solving. One hallmark of adult thought is the ability to combine emotions and rational analysis. This ability is particularly useful in responding to emotionally arousing situations, as when one is being stereotyped.
