Late Childhood Social situation provided in school develops his natural

tendency to play.
Extends from ages 6 to 12 years Begins to acquire social virtues like friendship, cooperation
period of excellence and pseudo-maturity and competition in group play with his own age mates.
Menarche
Circumcision Developmental Tasks
Masturbation Physical Development
Nocturnal emission Cognitive Stage
Nocturnal enuresis Moral Development
Sexual orientation Psychological/Emotional traits
latency period Social Development
Elementary school age
Trouble some age and quarrel some age Physical Development
Gang age For Girls :
Creative age Breast Development
Play age Appearance of hair in the genital and underarm area.
Sweat glands in the genital and underarm areas are
SEXUAL INTERESTS become active.
Dating Menarche
- going with other sexes Girls internal reproductive organs grow rapidly
Physical Intimacy External genitalia will also increase in size
- kissing and petting Also experience vaginal lubrication that accompanies
Masturbation sexual arousal.
-preoccupation with sexuality
e.g., frequently makes references to sexuality For Boys:
interest in sexual media They will begin to grow hair in the underarm and
genital areas
SEXUAL ORIENTATION Penis and scrotum will begin to grow larger
- Sexual attraction and fantasy that accompany puberty, Will begin growing facial hair that becomes courser
lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are likely to become more and darker over time
completely aware of their sexual orientation. Nocturnal emission
- these youth are at the time in their lives where their Nocturnal enuresis
homosexual or bisexual orientation is leading them to the Experience erections more frequently
developmental tasks of establishing to themselves, a self identity
as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Cognitive Development
Leadership skills
GANG AGE Differ in reasoning skills
Develop strong sense of loyalty to the gang Use of analogies in explanation
Form certain rules and code of conduct of the gang. Decision-making and problem solving opportunities
Select their leader and owe the sense of subordination to Individual identity
him. Social comparison
In case the leader appears to be unacceptable, they
discharge him and select a new leader. Moral Development
PLAY AGE Predominantly focused in the needs and wants of
Extrovert nature naturally makes the child playful. themselves.
1
 Wants to gain a social approval and live-up to the Social
expectations of people close to them. Play
They tend to have a Golden Rule morality. Conceptual
Their moral thinking abilities are not always reflected in their Moral
behavior. Hazards associated with interests
Sex-role typing
Psychological/Emotional Traits Family-Relationship
Personality Development
Positive
Caring environment ROLE OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS TOWARDS THE ADOLESCENTS
Praise and encouragement Healthy atmosphere
All experience success Proper physical development
Use of role models Organizing extra neural activities
Success in meeting challenges Organizing group competitions
Feeling of self-worth, mood swings. Proper emotional development
Developing the creative talent
Moral training
Social Development
Enjoyment Physical Development in Early Adulthood
Individual work Physical & Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood
Rotation of roles The Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood
Cooperative work
The age period from 18-25 has been labeled emerging
Independent responsibility adulthood as individuals have often left the dependency of
Problem solving activities childhood but have not yet assumed adult responsibilities.
Leadership opportunities
Experimentation and exploration characterize emerging
Fair play adulthood.
Shared expectations
Two criteria for adult status are economic independence and
Team culture independent decision making.
The Transition from High School to College
HAZARDS OF LATE CHILDHOOD
There is both continuity and change in the transition from
Physical Hazards high school to college.
Psychological Hazards
The top-dog phenomenon replays when a high school senior
then becomes a freshmen in college.
Physical Hazards
The transition can involve positive and negative features.
Illness
Positive features include feeling more grownup, increased
Obesity
freedom, exploration of new ideas.
Sex-inappropriate Body Build
Negative features include increased stress and more
Accidents
depression.
Physical Disabilities
Physical Development
Awkwardness
The Peak and Slowdown in Physical Performance
Homeliness
Physical status both reaches its peak and begins to decline
in early adulthood.
Psychological Hazards
Speech Peak physical status is often reached between 19 and 26
Emotional years of age.
2

Individuals are often at their healthiest in early adulthood.
College students understand how to prevent illness and
promote health, yet they have unrealistic, overly optimistic
expectations about their future health risks.
Bad health habits are often formed.
There are some hidden dangers in the peaks of performance
and health in early adulthood and the negative effects done
to ones body may not show up until later in early or middle
adulthood.
Decline in physical performance occurs in early adulthood.
Muscle tone and strength decline around age 30.
Physical Changes
cardiovascular and respiratory:
Only when people are exercising do we see a decline
in performance with age.
Atherosclerosis: begins early in life, progresses in
adulthood, and leads to serious problems in middle to
late adulthood.
Young/middle aged adults at low risk for heart
disease: 40 to 60% reduced death rates
Lungs: during exertion, respiratory volume decreases
and breathing rate increases with age.
Motor performance: peaks between 20-30, then declines.
If person remains active, performance drops only 2% per
decade
older people who participate in sports have twice the vital
capacity as their peers who do not
Immune system:
T-cells and B-cells
after age 20 the thymus starts to shrink; compromises
immune response
stress
Reproductive capacity:
female fertility declines sharply in the mid-30s (26% of
women 35 to 44 cannot conceive naturally).
Male fertility declines after 40, as the quantity of sperm in
semen declines.
Health
overweight and obesity:
22% are obese ; 54% are overweight
4% of men and 8% of women have large weight
gains between 25 and 34
between 25 and 50, basal metabolic rate (BMR)
gradually declines
excessive fat is associated with high blood pressure,
atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, early
death
Exercise: only 23% of Americans engage in moderate physical
activity for 20 minutes or more ate last 3 times a week.
exercise fosters resistance to disease
linked to reduced incidence of cancer
helps prevent adult-onset diabetes
reduces risk/severity of cardiovascular disease
reduces anxiety and depression
helps handle stress
Substance abuse
cigarettes: 25% of adult Americans smoke
smoking in young people at college is on the rise
average # of cigarettes smoked per day is 20
the earlier people start, the greater their daily intake
the greater the daily intake, the greater the chance of
premature death.
Quitting: return to non-smoker disease-risk in 3-8 years
Alcohol:
13% of men and 3% of women in the US are heavy drinkers.
1/3 of these are alcoholics
men: alcoholism begins in teens/early 20s, worsens over
time
women: onset is in 20s/30s, more variable outcome
Sexuality
Heterosexuals:
by 20, 80% have had sexual intercourse; by 22, 90%.
Americans are far less sexually active than we are led to
believe through media representations.
50% aged 30-50 have had 5 + partners
71% report only one partner in the past year
3% (mostly men) report 5+ partners in past year
33% of 18-to-59-year-olds have sex twice a week
33% have sex a few times a month
33% have sex a few times a year or not at all
As number of sex partners increases, satisfaction declines
sharply.
Sexual problems
for women: lack of interest in sex (33%); inability to achieve
orgasm (24%)
3

for men: climaxing too early (29%); anxiety about
performance (16%)
Homosexuals
2.8% of men, 1.4% of women are homosexual/bisexual
most Americans support equal job opportunities for gay
men, lesbians, and bisexuals.
heterosexual men judge homosexual men more harshly
tend to be more educated than the general population,
Sexual coercion:
14 to 25% of women have been victimized by rape Most
(80%) are under age 30.
Most knew their attacker well.
44% of college women reported sexual coercion; 19% of
college men said they had gotten sex through force
Men who engage in sexual assault:
believe in traditional gender roles
accept rape myths
have a desire to dominate their victims
claim that she brought it on herself
have trouble interpreting womens social behavior
strong gender stereotyping contributes to sexual coercion
acceptance of violence in our culture also contributes
womens psychological reactions resemble those of
survivors of extreme trauma
Menstruation
PMS: Usually experienced for the 1st time after age 20. 40%
of women have some variant of symptoms
Psychological stress: mobilizes the body for action; can affect
immune functioning; linked to several kinds of cancer,
gastrointestinal problems
Cognitive development
Cognitive Stages
Piagets View
Piaget thought that young adults were quantitatively
advanced in their thinking (they have more knowledge),
however, they are qualitatively similar.
He also believed that adults increase their knowledge in a
specific area.
Realistic and Pragmatic Thinking
Some experts argue that the idealism of Piagets formal
operational stage declines in young adulthood, replaced by
more realistic, pragmatic thinking.
Schaie argues that adults use information differently than
adolescents.
Reflective and Relativistic Thinking
Perry said that adolescents often engage in dualistic,
absolute thinking, whereas young adults are more likely to
engage in reflective, relativistic thinking.
Post-Formal Stage
Post-formal thought is qualitatively different than Piagets
formal operational thought.
Post-formal thought involves understanding that the correct
answer to a problem requires reflective thinking, may vary
from one situation to another, and that the search for truth
is often an ongoing, never-ending process.
Perrys theory: college students cognitive perspectives
changed as they were exposed to the complexities of
university life and moved closer to adult roles.
Younger students: knowledge as separate units
dualistic thinking
Older students: were aware of a diversity of opinions
on almost any topic
relativistic thinking
Schaies theory: there are stages we go through
reflecting our changing goals of mental activity
The acquisitive stage
The achieving stage
The responsibility stage
The reintegrative stage
Labouvie-Viefs theory: thinking moves from hypothetical to
pragmatic
become aware of the constraints of everyday life
learn to accept inconsistencies as part of life
develop ways of thinking that thrive on imperfection
and compromise
Information processing: expertise and creativity
Expertise:
remember and reason more quickly and effectively
they approach problems with underlying principles in mind,
whereas novices approach problems in superficial ways
fosters creativity
4

creativity rises in early adulthood, peaks in the late 30s or while the % of women in masculine careers has increased,
early 40s, and gradually declines. it still falls well short of equality.

exceptions to this trend: early starters and late bloomers women remain heavily concentrated in traditionally feminine
College professions

culture shock girls grades are overall higher than boys in secondary

75% of high school graduates enroll in higher education school, but girls are less confident in their ability and more
Psychological impact of college: likely to underestimate their achievement.

applying reason and evidence to problems during college, their career aspirations decline further

identifying strengths and weaknesses of different sides of women constitute 9% of engineers and physicists
complex issues.

greater self-understanding, enhanced self-esteem, firmer
sense of identity

determined by how involved the person gets in academic
and nonacademic activities; and the richness and diversity Emotional and Social Development in Early Adulthood
of the college setting

residential living Eriksons theory: intimacy versus isolation


extensive contact with faculty goal is finding a permanent and committed partner


40% drop out, most within the first year, many within the successful resolution prepares the way for the next stage
first 6 weeks. which focuses on Generativity

Vocational choice contrary to Erikson, both intimacy and generativity issues
Selecting a vocation: arise in early adulthood

fantasy period (early and middle childhood) Daniel Levinsons Seasons of Life Theory


tentative period (early/middle adolescence) adulthood is a sequence of distinct eras or seasons


realistic period (late adolescence, early adult) each begins with a transition, lasting about 5 years

Factors influencing vocational choice: between transitions are stable periods where people
Personality concentrate on building a life pattern or life structure
John Holland (1966): Dreams and mentors:


the investigative person during the early adulthood transition (17-22) people

the social person construct a dream that guides decision-making


the realistic person men: being an independent achiever in some

the artistic person occupation


the conventional person women: about both marriage and career


the enterprising person form a relationship with a mentor who facilitates the
Family realization of their dream


people in higher SES homes select higher-status the age 30 transition: reevaluate their life structure and
occupations; those in lower-SES homes select lower-status try to change components they find inadequate

occupations. the age 33 to 40 settling-down period: men anchor

parental pressure to do well and encouragement toward themselves firmly in family, occupation, community.

high-status occupations predict beyond SES women remain highly unsettled until middle
Teachers: 39% of college freshmen rate a high school teacher as adulthood
the most important impact on their choice of field of study.
Gender stereotypes The Social Clock (Bernice Neugarten, 1968)

important influence on adult development

5

age-graded expectations for life events
being on-time or off-time can profoundly affect self-esteem
Close Relationships
Romantic Love
mate selection: same age, SES, religion, attitudes,
personality, education, intelligence, attractiveness
the more similar people are the more satisfied they
are and the more likely they are to stay together
women value intelligence, ambition, financial
security, character, commitment
men value physical attractiveness, domestic skills
women prefer same-age/older partners; men prefer
younger partners
Ethological theory: cues to fertility versus
cues to provide and protect
Social learning theory: societal gender roles
influence these criteria
Love
love has 3 components intimacy, passion, and
commitment.
passionate love is very important in the beginning
gradually declines and intimacy and commitment
become more important
spouses gradually feel less in love and pleased
within married life over the first year of marriage
commitment, and communicating that commitment
best predicts staying together
Friendships:
similar in sex, age, SES
acceptance, affirmation, social support, expand social and
learning opportunities
women have more same-sex intimate friendships than
men
Other-sex friendships decline after marriage for men, but
increase for women
males confide more easily to female friends
men are more likely to feel sexual attraction for an opposite-
sex friend
Siblings become more like friends in adult years
Loneliness: peaks during late teens and early 20s
losing intimacy is especially hard
men feel lonelier than women when not in a relationship
wives report loneliness more than husbands
shy, socially anxious people report more loneliness
The Family Life Cycle
Leaving home
for education, work, or marriage
nearly half of young people return home for a brief time
parental home is a safety net
leaving home too early leads to a focus on employment
versus education
Joining of families in marriage:
nearly 90% of Americans get married at least once.
average age is 24.8 for women and 27.1 for men in
other-race marriages make up 6% of the married population
when backgrounds are distinct, challenge to merge families
better (in terms of divorce rates) to marry later than earlier
traditional marriages still exist in Western nations
egalitarian marriages may represent an ideal rather than
a reality
even in egalitarian marriages women spend 3X
more time doing housework than men
marital satisfaction:
more men than women report being happily married
for women, relationship quality has a greater impact
on mental health
Martial expectations and myths
more women than men said that their partners should be
superior to them
more men said that their partners should be inferior to them
popular myths about marriage:
that satisfaction increases through the 1st year
that the best predictor of satisfaction is quality of sex
life
that if my spouse loves me, they should know what I
want and need to be happy
that no matter how I behave, my spouse should love
me simply because they are my spouse.
6
Parenthood
parenthood is now truly a choice
changing cultural values make it ok to be childless
72% of couples have children
the average number of kids a family will have is 1.8
women who work in demanding careers are less likely to
become parents
other factors: finance, religious values, biological and
medical conditions
costs $260 000 (birth to college graduation)
Transition to parenthood:
causes marital roles to become more traditional
women count on more help from husband than occurs
Additional births:
family size has declined in industrialized nations
siblings are spaced farther apart nowadays (more than 2
years)
finding good child care: if not available, pressure is on the
woman to curtail her career
Families with adolescents:
More people seek or are referred for family therapy during this
phase of the family life cycle than at any other time.
Adult Lifestyles
Singlehood: 29% of males and 21% for females from 30 to 34
years old
women are more likely to remain single for many years or
their entire lives.
As women get older, there are fewer men available
with characteristics that most women look for in a
mate
Men find partners more easily since they can select
from the large pool of younger unmarried women.
women tend to marry up and men tend to marry
down men in blue collar jobs and women in
prestigious jobs are overrepresented among singles
after age 30
Many people go through a stressful period in their
late 20s as their friends start to marry and they
become an exception.
the mid-30s is another trying time for women as their
biological clock start ticking
Cohabitation: about 1/3 of these households include children
for some it serves as a preparation for marriage
for others it is an alternative to marriage
less religious, more politically liberal, more androgynous, a
history of more sex partners
parents who got divorced
less likely to pool finances or jointly own a house.
those who live together before marriage are more prone to
divorce
Childlessness:
20% of couples have fertility problems; some will remain
involuntarily childless
Others never found an appropriate partner
others are voluntarily childless
college educated, prestigious occupations, and
committed to their work. Voluntarily childless women
tend to be more self-reliant and assertive
tend to be as contented as parents who have
rewarding relationships with their kids
Divorce and Remarriage:
of marriages in US end in separation or divorce.
most within 5-10 years of marriage
61% of divorced men and 54% of divorced women remarry.
in the 2nd marriage, the divorce rate is 57%
wives report more problems than husbands; twice as likely
as men to initiate divorce.
husbands have difficulty sensing their wifes distress
strongest predictors of divorce in the next 10 years:
infidelity, spending money foolishly, drinking/drugs,
jealousy, irritating habits, moodiness
younger age at marriage, not attending church, being
previously divorced, having parents who divorced
Consequences of divorce
women who had traditional marriages have the toughest
time
noncustodial fathers feel disoriented and rootless
finding a new partner contributes most to the life
satisfaction of divorced adults - especially men
most divorced women wait longer before jumping in again
Remarriage: people remarry 4 years after divorce
Why do so many remarriages break up?
7

practical matters figure more heavily, which does not
provide a sound emotional basis
transfer the negative patterns from 1st marriage to 2nd
more likely to see divorce as an acceptable solution
suffer more stress from stepfamily situations
Styles of Parenthood
Remarried parents:
stepmothers are especially likely to experience
conflict and poor adjustment
Stepfathers with kids of their own establish positive
ties with stepchildren relatively quickly
Stepfathers without their own kids may have troubled
relationships with stepkids
never-married parents:
10% of American kids have parents who never married.
89% are single mothers; 11% are single fathers
births to 30 + single women in high-status
occupations have increased in recent years
largest group is African-American young women -
over 60% of births to black women in their 20s are
out of wedlock, compared to 18% for white women
Gay & lesbian parents
family structure is much like heterosexual parents
gay fathers are more consistent in setting limits and more
responsive to their childrens needs than heterosexual
fathers
Children are as well-adjusted as other kids, and the large
majority are heterosexual.
Vocational Development
Establishing a vocation:
mens vocational lives are long and continuous, beginning
after completion of formal education and ending with
retirement
Womens tend to be discontinuous interrupted or deferred
by childbearing and childrearing.
while 50% of young people report aspiring to professional
occupations, only 20% attain them.
as new workers become aware of the gap between
-expectations and reality, resignations are common.
On average, young people in their 20s move to a new job
every 2 years; 5 or 6 changes is not unusual.
self-efficacy affects career choices and career
development.
an effective mentor is also a predictor of success
Women and ethnic minorities:
women are concentrated in occupations that offer little
opportunity for advancement
underrepresented in executive and managerial roles
woman make 76 cents for every dollar men make
Women who pursue nontraditional careers have masculine
qualities
At age 60, the women who reported greatest life satisfaction
had developed rewarding careers. The least satisfied were
lifelong housewives
Combining work and family:
the dominant form of the family today is the dual-earner
marriage
moderate/severe conflicts over trying to meet work and
family responsibilities in 1/3 of these families
conflict is greater for women
career decisions become more complex
References:
Santrock, John. (2008). Life-Span Development. 364-390.
(OLD AGE/LATE ADULTHOOD STAGE)
CHARACTERISTIC:
Late adulthood is a time of reflection, enjoying friends, family, and
grandchildren, and maintaining health in preparation for the final
years of the lifespan. Although genetics play a significant role in the
quality of life during these final years, individuals who modify
destructive lifestyles and embark on healthier options will
experience an improvement in their health and sense of wellbeing.
During this stage of adulthood, older adults remain socially active
8
and independent rather than subjecting themselves to isolation and
withdrawal. As more aging adults continue to live healthy, socially
active lives and maintain important family roles, it is important to
refrain from stereotypical thought and the negativity of ageism,
which can contribute to their premature decline. With technology
and high quality medical care, aging adults continue to be a
valuable resource for younger generations.
CHANGES:
- The aging
process in late adulthood is termed senescence. The general
effects of aging
combine to make the bodys organ systems work less efficiently. For
quite a while, people
can compensate for the declining efficiency of their organs and the
body in general, but
the decline becomes dramatic later in this stage.
- Changes in Weight and Height
The loss of weight in men that begins in middle adulthood
continues through late adulthood.
Elderly women begin to lose weight in gradual increments during
this stage.
Decreasing physical activity, less food consumption, lower
metabolism, poorer health, and
related factors result in a reduction of muscle and tissue mass and
hence weight.
Changes in Bodily Systems
- THE TEETH
Total loss of teeth occurs in a sizable minority of people
between the ages
of sixty-five and seventy-four. Advanced age is associated with a
higher incidence of periodontal disease and gingivitis,
inflammations of gum tissue that contribute highly to tooth loss.
Many of the dental problems of old age, however, are the result of
earlier neglect. Dental problems contribute to poor eating habits
that lead to malnutrition. Some elderly people do not get dentures
to replace missing teeth for financial reasons; others have poorly
fitting dentures. As a result, they may eat only foods that are easy
to chew, eliminating many vegetables, fruits, and meats from their
diet.
- THE MUSCULAR AND SKELETAL SYSTEMS
The ability to move about becomesmore restricted as aging
advances because of changes in muscle and bone functioning.
Muscles atrophy, reducing strength and restricting movement. Loss
of elasticity in muscle tissue reduces flexibility, causing stiffness.
Osteoporosis leads to easier bone breakage, kyphosis
(humpback posture), and scoliosis (S-curved spinal column).
Back pain increases in frequency and intensity, reflecting
deterioration of the vertebrae.
- THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The lungs have lowered capacity for inhaling and exhaling air in
late adulthood. There
are three causes of this reduced capacity. First, a change in
collagen composition of the
lungs causes them to become less elastic and thus less capable of
expanding and contracting.
Second, the diaphragm and chest muscles that help expand and
contract the chest weaken. Third, age-related conditions such as
scoliosis reduce chest capacity. Among the most common serious
respiratory conditions among the elderly are cancer of the lungs,
emphysema, and pneumonia. Lung cancer increases
considerably during late adulthood; it is associated with chronic
conditions such as smoking, pollution, and occupational hazards.
Emphysema is a condition involving destruction of lung tissue that
results in lowered lung elasticity. People with emphysema have
difficulty breathing and moving about freely. Pneumonia is an
inflammation of the lungs. It increases in incidence in old age
because of decreased lung efficiency, poor circulation, and lowered
resistance to infection. Pneumonia is a particular risk for an elderly
person who is bedridden for an extended period of time because
physical inactivity prevents the lungs from clearing themselves.
CHALLENGES:
Common Illnesses and Disorders
- STROKE
9
 Strokes are a leading cause of death among elderly people. A
stroke occurs when a blood clot forms and causes a blockage in the
amount of blood reaching the brain. The clot can form in an artery
of the neck or in the brain. When it does, brain tissue dies from lack
of oxygen. An aneurysm, or rupture of an artery wall within the
brain, can also cause a stroke. In this case, the blood clot forms
within the brain. The severity and damage to the stroke victims
brain varies according to where the hemorrhage or blockage
occurred. Some people are only minimally affected; others
experience various degrees of paralysis, loss of motor functioning,
speech, or combinations of these effects. These effects may or may
not last for a lengthy period depending on the severity of injury to
brain tissue. There are some early warning signs for a stroke. A
person may experience sudden, temporary weakness or numbness
in the face, arm, or leg. He or she may temporarily have difficulty in
speech or vision. Further, a person may experience unexplained
headaches, dizziness, or a change in personality or mental ability.
Most people
who have had a stroke in the initial years of late adulthood can
expect a limited recovery
through occupation, physical, and other kinds of therapy.
Occupational therapy is helpful, for example, in assisting stroke
patients to develop new patterns of functioning within living
environments.
- MENTAL HEALTH
One of the greatest fears people have about growing older is that
they will lose their mental capacitiesin popular terms, become
senile. Senility is a catchall term for what many believe are the
inevitabilities of old age: loss of mental and emotional abilities to
relate to reality, helplessness, and incontinence . Senility is
technically referred to as dementia. There are numerous non-
Alzheimer dementias that vary in cause and symptoms .
Dementia is a global term for a variety of an organic brain
disorders related to brain
cell impairment The symptoms of these disorders can include
disorientation
to time, place, and/or people; memory loss; disturbances in
thinking, especially in
abstract thinking and reasoning; impairment of judgment; or
inappropriate emotional
responses Symptoms may appear slowly or rather suddenly.
These symptoms are often regarded as idiosyncrasies of the elderly.
Actually, people
showing these signs are experiencing a type of mental illness that
until recently was thought
to be always irreversible. Organic brain syndrome occurs in two
forms: (1) acute, which is
reversible in many cases; and (2) chronic, which is not reversible.
Acute brain syndrome
responds to treatment that is directed toward correcting
malnutrition, inflammations and
infections, and various chemical imbalances in the body. Chronic
brain syndrome is permanent
and is responsible for many of the mental disorders associated with
late adulthood.
- Alzheimers disease
One of the more commonly known chronic organic brain
disorders is Alzheimers
disease. This degenerative disease is an area of active research.
Although symptoms can appear during middle adulthood, this
condition is much more common after age sixty-five. Although
genetics play a role, many other factors may also influence the
onset of Alzheimers disease.
People with Alzheimers disease seem to follow a certain course.
The first sign of the
condition is usually forgetfulness. Individuals cannot easily
remember where objects are
and their short-term memory of recent events is impaired. The next
phase is characterized
by impaired cognitive functioning. The person is confused, makes
inappropriate and irrational
decisions, and displays bizarre or eccentric behavior. The final
phase is characterized
by dementia. The person shows severe disorientation, behavior
problems are recurrent,
and rage reactions can be common. People in this phase can
wander off and become lost or
are unable to recognize where they are. Eventually, physical
functions diminish so much
that people with Alzheimers disease are unable to provide for their
own care and need
constant supervision. Death may result from an infection such as
pneumonia.
10
Although Alzheimers disease is currently considered irreversible,
researchers continue
to test new drugs and methods to help people cope with its
symptoms. Treatments to improve memory include drugs.
Researchers are also studying the levels and types of
neurotransmitters in the brain and experimenting with ways to alter
or improve these. Many elderly people with Alzheimers disease
eventually need around the clock care. This care can be either
provided in the home by loved ones and/or hired nursing staff, or
the care can take place in a convalescent home. Care in a twenty-
four hour nursing home is costly to families both emotionally and
financially. Alzheimers disease has a devastating effect on the
individual experiencing it, but it is also extremely difficult for family
members who must watch this physical and psychological
deterioration in a loved relative. Religiosity can help family
members cope, as they believe that suffering is a process that
unites
them to Christ and brings them closer to God. There are also
support groups devoted to helping family members cope with a
loved ones Alzheimers disease. Another degenerative brain
condition commonly observed in late adulthood is
Parkinsons disease.
It occurs nearly equally in men and women. Like Alzheimers
disease, Parkinsons disease
involves brain cell impairment or death over a long period of time
that eventually results
in the persons death. More specifically, Parkinsons disease is the
result of cell impairment
and death in the substantia nigra area of the brain. These cells
produce the neurotransmitter
dopamine, which is responsible for smooth and coordinated
movement of the muscles
in the body. Surprisingly, it is not until 80% of these cells have
become impaired or died
that an individual begins to show the symptoms of Parkinsons
disease.
Parkinsons disease is characterized by tremors (shaking) that
spread slowly throughout
the entire body, sluggish movement, muscle weakness, rigidity,
and a peculiar walking gait
Speech becomes slurred and muffled as the disease progresses.
Facial expressions may become stiff and handwriting is small and
restricted. Depression is also sometimes experienced by individuals
with Parkinsons disease.
CRISIS:
- Retirement
Retirement at age 65 is the conventional choice for many people,
although some work until much later. People have been found to be
happier in retirement if they are not forced to retire before they are
ready and if they have enough income to maintain an adequate
living standard. Chronic health problems such as arthritis,
rheumatism, and hypertension increasingly interfere with the
quality of life of most individuals as they age.
- Widowhood
Women tend to marry men older than they are and, on average,
live 5 to 7 years longer than men. One study found ten times as
many widows as widowers. Widowhood is particularly stressful if
the death of the spouse occurs early in life; close support of friends,
particularly other widows, can be very helpful.
- Death and dying (Death and dying has been studied
extensively by Elisabeth KblerRoss, who suggested that
terminally ill patients display the following five basic reactions.)
Denial, an attempt to deny the reality and to isolate
oneself from the event, is frequently the first reaction.
Anger frequently follows, as the person envies the living
and asks, Why should I be the one to die?
Bargaining may occur; the person pleads to God or others
for more time.
As the end nears, recognition that death is inevitable and
that separation from family will occur leads to feelings of
exhaustion, futility, and deep depression.
Acceptance often follows if death is not sudden, and the
person finds peace with the inevitable.
Puberty
Ages 10 to 14
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is the period of human development during which physical
growth and sexual maturity occurs.It is the time when the
sex organs and boys and girls become capable of
reproducing their kind. (Introduction to psychology 2nd
edition , Alicia S.Bustos)
Developmental Task
Achieving new and more mature relations with age mates of
both sexes
Achieving a masculine and feminine role
Accepting ones physique and using ones body effectively
Desiring, accepting and achieving socially responsible
behavior
Achieving emotional independence from parent and other
adults
Characteristics
Overlapping Period
Short Period
Time of rapid growth and change
Negative phase
Stages of Puberty girls
Stage One (approximately between the ages of eight and
eleven): The ovaries enlarge and hormone production starts,
but external development is not yet visible.
Stage Two (approximately between the ages of eight and
fourteen): The first external sign of puberty is usually breast
development. At first breast buds develop. The nipples will
be tender and elevated. The area around the nipple (the
aureole) will increase in size. The first stage of pubic hair
may also be present at this time. It may be coarse and curly
or fine and straight. Height and weight increase at this time.
The body gets rounder and curvier.
Stage Three (approximately between the ages of nine and
15): Breast growth continues and pubic hair gets coarser
and darker.
During this stage, whitish discharge from the vagina may
be present. For some girls, this is the time that the first
menstrual period begins
Stage Four (approximately from ages 10 to 16): Some girls
notice that their aureoles get even darker and separate into
a little mound rising above the rest of the breast. Pubic hair
may begin to have a more adult triangular pattern of
growth. If it did not happen in Stage Three, menarche (first
menstruation) should start now. Ovulation may start now,
too. But it will not necessarily occur on a regular basis. (It is
possible to have regular periods even if ovulation does not
occur every month.)
Stage Five (approximately between ages 12 and 19): This is
the final stage of development. Full height is reached, and
young women are ovulating regularly. Pubic hair is filled in,
and the breasts are developed fully for the body.
For boys
Stage One (approximately between ages nine and 12): No
visible signs of development occur, but, internally, male
hormones become a lot more active. Sometimes a growth
spurt begins at this time.
Stage Two (approximately between ages nine to 15): Height
increases and the shape of the body changes. Muscle tissue
and fat develop at this time. The aureole, the dark skin
around the nipple, darkens and increases in size. The
testicles and scrotum grow, but the penis probably does not.
A little bit of pubic hair begins to grow at the base of the
penis.
Stage Three (approximately between ages 11 and 16): The
penis starts to grow during this stage. It tends to grow in
length rather than width. Pubic hair is getting darker and
coarser and spreading to where the legs meet the torso.
Also, boys continue to grow in height, and even their faces
begin to appear more mature. The shoulders broaden,
making the hips look smaller. Muscle tissue increases and
the voice starts to change and deepen. Finally, facial hair
begins to develop on the upper lip.
Stage Four (approximately 11 to 17): At this time, the penis
starts to grow in width, too. The testicles and scrotum also
continue to grow. Hair may begin to grow on the anus. The
texture of the penis becomes more adult-looking. Underarm
and facial hair increases as well. Skin gets oilier, and the
voice continues to deepen.
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 Stage Five (approximately 14 to 18): Boys reach their full
adult height. Pubic hair and the genitals look like an adult
man's do. At this point, too, shaving is a necessity. Some
young men continue to grow past this point, even into their
twenties.

Crisis
1. Feeling overly sensitive
2. Looking for an identity
3. Feeling uncertain
4. Peer pressure
5. Conflicting thoughts
6. Mood swings
7. Feeling conscious about self
8. Getting sexual feelings

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