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13: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood (Ages 30 to 59)
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13.0: What Does Psychology Say?
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This chapter discusses the balance of physical and cognitive wellness during middle adulthood and introduces Bert, who is transitioning to a new job to achieve a healthier life balance. It covers his adjustments, such as blending exercise and adopting a healthy diet to improve his well-being.
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13.1: Physical Development in Middle Adulthood
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This section outlines the differences between primary and secondary aging and explores physical and cognitive changes during middle adulthood. It highlights gradual developments in sensory abilities, memory, and information processing, using Tom Brady as an example of maintaining vitality in middle age through healthy living and community engagement.
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13.2: Reproductive and Sexual Changes in Middle Adulthood
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The page discusses changes in the reproductive systems and sexual behavior during middle adulthood. It outlines alterations in female and male reproductive abilities, including menopause for females and a decline in testicular size and sperm quality for males. Physical changes due to pregnancy, such as changes in smell and vision, and menopause-related effects, like the risk of osteoporosis, are addressed.
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13.3: Cognition in Middle Adulthood
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This page covers the learning objectives related to cognition in middle adulthood, including definitions and characteristics of postformal thinking, memory, problem-solving, intelligence, creativity, and wisdom. It explains the evolution of cognitive processes, such as the differences between formal and postformal thought, and the trajectory of memory and intelligence through studies like the Seattle Longitudinal Study.
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13.4: Maintaining Health and Well-Being in Middle Adulthood
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The section discusses the health concerns and lifestyle choices relevant to middle adulthood. It covers various health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, unintentional injuries, and diabetes, focusing on their causes and prevention strategies. The importance of healthy dietary habits, exercise, stress management, and sleep in promoting well-being is highlighted.
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13.5: Key Terms
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This page provides definitions and explanations of various concepts related to stress, aging, and cognitive development. Topics include physiological stress responses (allostatic load), mental states like burnout, age-related changes such as menopause and osteoporosis, and concepts in cognitive psychology such as the Flynn effect and postformal thought. It also covers aspects of aging (sarcopenia, presbycusis), and psychological traits like resilience and wisdom.
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13.6: Summary
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13.7: Review Questions
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13.8: Check Your Understanding Questions
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13.9: Personal Application Questions
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13.10: Essay Questions
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