Psychology2016

344 CHAPTER 8

Cognitive Development

8.13 Describe how memory abilities change during adulthood.

During this time, intellectual abilities do not decline overall, although speed of process-

ing (or reaction time) does slow down. Compared to a younger adult, a middle-aged

person may take a little longer to solve a problem. However, a middle-aged person also

has more life experience and knowledge to bring to bear on a problem, which count-

ers the lack of speed (Bugaiska et al., 2007; Migo et al., 2014). In one now-classic study

( Salthouse, 1984), older typists were found to outperform younger typists, even though

they typed more slowly than the younger subjects. The older typists, because of years

of practice, had developed a skill of looking farther ahead in the document they were

typing, so that they could type more continuously without looking back at the document.

This allowed them to complete their typing more quickly than the younger typists.

CHANGES IN MEMORY Changes in memory ability are probably the most noticeable

changes in middle-aged cognition. People find themselves having a hard time recall-

ing a particular word or someone’s name. This difficulty in retrieval is probably not

evidence of a physical decline (or the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease: to

Learning Objective 6.13) but is more likely caused by the stresses a middle-aged person

experiences and the sheer amount of information that a person of middle years must

try to keep straight (Craik, 1994; Launer et al., 1995; Sands & Meredith, 1992). Some

studies suggest that thinking about the positive events of the past aids the formation of

newer memories—the areas of the brain that are linked to processing emotional content

seem to have a strong connection to the areas of the brain responsible for memory for-

mation (Addis et al., 2010, 2014; Madore & Schacter, 2016). Think positive!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG People who exercise their mental abilities have

been found to be far less likely to develop memory problems or even more serious

senile dementias, such as Alzheimer ’s, in old age (Ball et al., 2002; Colcombe et al.,

2003; Fiatarone, 1996). “Use it or lose it” is the phrase to remember. Working challeng-

ing crossword puzzles, for example, can be a major factor in maintaining a healthy

level of cognitive functioning. Reading, having an active social life, going to plays, tak-

ing classes, and staying physically active can all have a positive impact on the contin-

ued well-being of the brain (Bosworth & Schaie, 1997; Cabeza et al., 2002; Hayes et al.,

2015; Singh-Manoux et al., 2003).

Psychosocial Development

8.14 Apply Erikson’s theory to some common psychosocial concerns of adulthood.

In adulthood, concerns involve career, relationships, family, and approaching old age.

The late teens and early 20s may be college years for many, although other young people

go to work directly from high school. The task of choosing and entering a career is very

serious and a task that many young adults have difficulty accomplishing. A college stu-

dent may change majors more than once during the first few years of college, and even

after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, many may either get a job in an unrelated field or go

on to a different type of career choice in graduate school. Those who are working may

also change careers several times (perhaps as many as five to seven times) and may expe-

rience periods of unemployment while between jobs.

ERIKSON’S INTIMACY VERSUS ISOLATION: FORMING RELATIONSHIPS Erikson saw the

primary task in young adulthood to be that of finding a mate. True intimacy is an emo-

tional and psychological closeness that is based on the ability to trust, share, and care

(an ability developed during the earlier stages such as trust versus mistrust) while still

maintaining one’s sense of self. to Learning Objective 12.13. Young adults who

have difficulty trusting others and who are unsure of their own identities may find

isolation instead of intimacy—loneliness, shallow relationships with others, and even

This middle-aged woman works on a

crossword puzzle. Mental exercises such

as this are one way to keep the brain

healthy and fit. What might be some other

ways to exercise one’s brain?

intimacy
an emotional and Rsychological close-
ness that is Dased on the aDility to
trust share and care while still main-
taining a sense of self.