Adulthood & Aging

This text will provide an engaging perspective on the issues, challenges, and joys of adult development and aging. It will provide a balanced and integrated treatment of young, middle, and later adulthood, concluding with a discussion of life satisfaction and quality of life issues. In addition, this text covers areas which are often neglected, such as self development and individual differences, life-long learning, community and political life, and values and moral development. The addition of these and other topics, along with a positive-growth focused perspective set this book apart from other textbooks in this area that have grown out of gerontology backgrounds with a focus on physical decline and illness. The pedagogical features of the book will direct students to key information, and the special features will engage the reader in current ethical dilemmas and life-planning issues. Goals of text: To promote a view of adult development and aging that is realistic, positive, and growth focused To provide a balanced treatment of young, middle, and late adulthood To included the often neglected topics of Self Development, Individual Differences (including culture, gender, sexual orientation), Education and Life Long Learning, Community Life, Political Life and Activities, Values, Morality, and Religion To bring research methodology and research design to life by integrating the topic within the chapters (rather than as a separate, seemingly disconnected chapter) To provide students with exercises to encourage them to plan ahead for the challenges and milestones in adult development To provide students with a pedagogically sound resources, including clear writing, appropriate headings and outlines, charts, graphs, tables, summaries, self-check items, and vocabulary tools.

Marion G. Mason received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from The Ohio State University in 1992. Since that time she has spent nearly two decades guiding undergraduates through courses in Human Development and Adulthood and Aging as part of the psychology program at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Immersing herself in the growing use of technology in the classroom, Mason has worked on numerous consulting projects in the development of online testing, demonstrations, activities, and ebooks.

The reader will notice a chronological theme to the chapters, integrated research discussions, and opportunities for critical thinking through the text. The Table of Contents provides a good overview of the content and primary themes found in this text.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Developmental Psychology Applied To Aging: Introduces the major themes of the multidisciplinary and multifaceted nature of the field, the primary theoretical approaches, and an introduction to the scientific basis of the study

Chapter 2: Individual and Multicultural Differences: Lays the foundation for the continued discussion of individual and group differences, particularly in the areas of culture, ethnicity, age and ageism, gender, religion, and intra-individual differences

Chapter 3: Healthy Lifestyles and Successful Aging: Aimed at prevention and physically aging well, this chapter is focused on best practices and common challenges to healthy lifestyles

Chapter 4: Identity Development and Personality: Emphasizing the growth pattern of continually reshaping our identities across adulthood, this chapter explores themes related to Erikson’s developmental view and the influence of personality factors on aging

Chapter 5: Friendships and Love Relationships: Beginning with friendships, this chapter explores love relationships and lifestyle choices, such as cohabiting and marriage, along with separation and divorce

Chapter 6: Families, Generations, and Communities: Continuing the themes of the previous chapter, here the discussion shifts to parenting, grandparenting, family role transitions, and living arrangements across adulthood

Chapter 7: Education, Careers and Retirement: Emphasizing the changing nature of education and work, this chapter is focused on education, jobs and careers, retirement, and the economic issues surrounding aging

Chapter 8: Memory and Basic Cognition: Relying on the foundations laid in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, this chapter introduces the topics of brain imaging, memory models and basic cognitive performance

Chapter 9: Complex Cognition: Building on the previous chapter, the focus here is on higher-order cognitive processing, including intelligence, creativity, everyday problem solving, and reasoning about moral and ethical dilemmas

Chapter 10: Typical Physical Aging: The purpose of this chapter is to explore the areas of expected change, distinct from pathological change, by exploring changes in appearance, sensory systems, body systems, and sexuality with age

Chapter 11: Disease, Illness, and Disorders: Here the discussion shifts to the more common physical illnesses and psychological disorders found among middle age and older adults, while at the same time balancing these trends with group and individual differences

Chapter 12: Coping and Support In Late Adulthood: Emphasizing coping strategies throughout, this discussion explores adaptive technologies, the importance of social support, and the role of religious and personal outlook in quality of life during late adulthood

Chapter 13: Dying, Death, and Bereavement: Beginning with end-of-life decisions, this chapter is focused on the transitions required when death is near and when it occurs, not only of the one who is dying but also those experiencing loss and grief

Chapter 14: Life Satisfaction: The final chapter serves as a gathering place of “lessons learned” by exploring areas of self-concept, wisdom, subjective well-being, and regrets across adulthood.

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials