Middle Adulthood

Question 1

climacteric

Answer 1

midlife transition in which fertility declines

Question 2

what happens during men’s climacteric

Answer 2

become less fertile

Question 3

what happens during women’s climacteric

Answer 3

estrogen levels drop, eventually leading to menopause

Question 4

symptoms of menopause (7)

Answer 4

• mood flux
• hot flashes
• shrinking of repro organs
• difficulty becoming aroused
• decreased skin elasticity
• loss of bone mass
• increased BP

Question 5

hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Answer 5

hormone treatment for menopausal women

Question 6

pros of HRT

Answer 6

• most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms

- protects against osteoporosis

Question 7

cons of HRT (2)

Answer 7

• increased risk of certain cancers (breast, uterine) heart attack, & stroke in some women
• can’t end HRT abruptly without intense symptoms

Question 8

seattle longitudinal study

Answer 8

• one of the most extensive longitudinal studies on adult dev
• showed that middle age = cognitive peak (despite what people think)

Question 9

cognitive peak of individual

Answer 9

middle adulthood (ages 40 - 60)

Question 10

what middle ages adults are better at than their younger selves (4)

Answer 10

• verbal abilities
• spatial reasoning
• simple math
• abstract reasoning

Question 11

cog declines in late adulthood (3)

Answer 11

• slower processing
• free recall of information = harder
• more problems with tip of the tongue phenomenon

Question 12

midlife crisis

Answer 12

• exaggerated word for transition period of middle adulthood

- really, middle adulthood is just a time of reflection & transition, small portion has a real crisis

Question 13

launching

Answer 13

child comes of age & leaves home (may not be a one time event)

Question 14

sandwich generation

Answer 14

describes middle aged adults who are between children & elderly parents and often expected to care for both