ChapTer 3 Development Over the Life Span 109to age 65. After 65, it levels off, rising only slightly
among old people facing crises of illness and be-
reavement (Charles & Carstensen, 2004; Urry &
Gross, 2010). Apparently, many people do grow
wiser, or at least more tranquil, with age.
Some researchers who study aging are there-
fore optimistic. In their view, people who have
challenging occupations and interests, who re-
main active mentally, who exercise regularly, and
who adapt flexibly to change and loss are likely to
maintain their cognitive abilities and well-being.
“Use it or lose it,” they say. They are hopeful
that research will one day produce successful
interventions to prevent or reverse the most se-
rious forms of cognitive decline (Barnes, 2011;
Lövdén et al., 2010). Rates of Alzheimer’s and
other forms of dementia in England and other
countries have dropped by 25 percent in the past
two decades, most likely a result of the improved
health and higher levels of education of their citi-
zens (Matthews et al., 2013)—more evidence that
dementia may not be an inevitable aspect of aging.
Other researchers are less upbeat. “When
you’ve lost it, you can’t use it,” they reply. They
are worried about the growing numbers of people
living into their 90s and beyond, when rates of
cognitive impairment and dementia rise dramati-
cally (Salthouse, 2006). The challenge for society
is to prepare for the many people who will be
living into advanced old age, by helping as many
as possible to keep using their brains instead of
losing them.• Inactivity. Weakness, frailty, and even many of
the diseases associated with old age are often
caused by being inactive and sedentary (Booth
& Neufer, 2005).• Loss of meaningful activities. Depression,
passivity, and memory problems may result
from the loss of meaningful activity, intellectual
stimulation, goals to pursue, and control over
events (Hess, 2005; Schaie & Zuo, 2001).Older people can profit from aerobic exercise
and strength training, which maintain physical
strength and flexibility, boost the brain’s blood
supply, and promote the development of new
cells in the hippocampus and other areas of the
brain. The result is often improved cognitive
functioning in memory, planning, concentration,
and making schedules (Colcombe & Kramer,
2003; Erickson et al., 2011; Hertzog et al., 2008).
Mental stimulation also fosters the growth of
neural connections in the brain, even well into old
age. Cognitive enrichment cannot prevent most
cases of serious cognitive decline and demen-
tia, which are often strongly influenced or even
caused directly by genes, but the declines may be
delayed (Gatz, 2007; Hertzog et al., 2008).
Perhaps the best news is that as people get
older, most become better able to regulate nega-
tive feelings and emphasize the positive. The fre-
quency of intense negative emotions is highest
among people aged 18 to 34, then drops sharply
Recite & Review
Recite: You aren’t old enough for cognitive decline, so state aloud what you know about
Erikson’s eight stages, emerging adulthood, menopause, cognitive functioning in old age, fluid ver-
sus crystallized intelligence, and emotional regulation in the later years.
Review: Next, reread this section.now take this Quick Quiz:
- What new phase of life development has emerged because of demographic changes, and
what years does it include? - Most women react to menopause by (a) feeling depressed, (b) regretting the loss of femininity,
(c) going a little crazy, (d) feeling relieved or neutral. - Which of these statements about the decline of mental abilities in old age is false? (a) It can of-
ten be lessened with regular exercise; (b) it affects all mental abilities equally; (c) it is sometimes
a result of malnutrition, medication, or disease rather than aging; (d) it is slowed when people
live in stimulating environments. - Suddenly, your 80-year-old grandmother has become confused and delusional. Before con-
cluding that old age has made her senile, what other explanation should you rule out?
Answers:
Study and Review at MyPsychLabYou should be sure she is not malnourished and you should rule out the 4. b 3. d 2. emerging adulthood, ages 18 to 25 1.possibility that she is taking too many medications, including nonprescription drugs.