Chapter - (Aging)

Question 1

What are the 3 problems in studying mental aging

Answer 1

1. describtive model of mental aging does not mean a theoretical udnerstanding
2. a describtive model of mental aging does not show how to deal with them
3. there are individual differences in aging

Question 2

what is dual aging

Answer 2

there are more old people (example baby boomers)
old people live longer (higher life expectation)
–> autonomie is very imporant (costs and familypressure)

Question 3

how many people over 85 need help and assistants

Answer 3

80% of 85+ people are more or less autonomous and heathy

probably because unautonomous people die before that

Question 4

what are the 6 biggest biological problems in aging

Answer 4

1. cardiac/vascular diseases
2. Neurological diseases
3. Other diseases (broken bones)
4. sensory and motor systemss (brain shrinking)
5. sleep problems (because of temperature)
6. hormonal changes (reduction in neurotransmitters)

Question 5

what is the difference in body temperature diuring day between young and old people

Answer 5

young people have highest temperature before lunch and in the afternoon
old people have highest temperature in morning

Question 6

how does the brain change in aging

Answer 6

the brain loses about 100 grams of weight (from 1400)

even tho the prefrontal cortex is the last to mature, it is the first to decline

Question 7

What 5 cognitive functions change during aging

Answer 7

1. prefrontal cortex
2. internal record (knowing about situation)
3. memory
4. intelligence (especially fluid)
5. speed of information processing

Question 8

what 3 functions decline because of the shrinking prefrontal cortex

Answer 8

the shrinking prefrontal cortex supports 3 clusters of functions

1. stabilty and flexibility (switching between tasks)
2. working memory
3. action control/override (surpessing etc)

Question 9

what changes in internal record during aging

Answer 9

1. notion of agency (where are you

2.

Question 10

what cognitive processes do not decline in age

Answer 10

• creativity
• language skills
• social skills

Question 11

what are social emotional aspects in aging

Answer 11

lonelyness is a huge problem because elders often have 1 interaction per weeks max
many other things grow bad
- reduced capability to do hobbies
- loss of family (partner) and friends

Question 12

what are individual differences in cognitive abilites in aging

Answer 12

1. epidomiological studies (how does lifestyle influence)

2. experimental intervention studies (how effective is intervention and training)

Question 13

what lifestlye choices aid good aging

Answer 13

• good diet (fish) is good
• physical excercise and fitness is imporant
• mental excercise (even though its hard to show positive effects)

Question 14

what are aspects of pathological aging

Answer 14

especially dementia and alzheimer

–> internal record problem

Question 15

what are the 3 core deficits happeneing in aging

Answer 15

1. changes in sensory perception
2. changes in inhibitory ability
3. changes in speed of processing