Psychological Aging: Psychological Aging: The effects of cognitive, The effects of cognitive,

social & personality social & personality development.development.

By Wendy ScottBy Wendy Scott

AbstractAbstract

The psychological theories of aging can be The psychological theories of aging can be quite complex, it depends on ones quite complex, it depends on ones

personality, the way a person adapts to old personality, the way a person adapts to old age and a persons mental state. Age alone age and a persons mental state. Age alone

does not always define a person. Those who does not always define a person. Those who usually adapt well during the aging process usually adapt well during the aging process

are open to new experiences, flexible in are open to new experiences, flexible in thinking, creative and empathetic. In addition thinking, creative and empathetic. In addition

they believe in themselves, have a good they believe in themselves, have a good social support system, pay attention to their social support system, pay attention to their

health and have a sense of adventure. health and have a sense of adventure.

OverviewOverview

IntroductionIntroduction Life spanLife span Selective optimization with Selective optimization with

compensationcompensation Socioemotional selectivitySocioemotional selectivity Cognition & agingCognition & aging Personality and agingPersonality and aging Ulyssean approachesUlyssean approaches

IntroductionIntroduction

During an individuals life span several changes in During an individuals life span several changes in behavior will occur therefore there is no defining behavior will occur therefore there is no defining

psychology of aging theory as everyone’s psychology of aging theory as everyone’s experience will vary. For those who are less experience will vary. For those who are less

fortunate pathological changes in personality and fortunate pathological changes in personality and cognition may occur. There is of course the ideal cognition may occur. There is of course the ideal

thought that one can continue the journey by living thought that one can continue the journey by living a Ulyssean type lifestyle, this may be harder for a Ulyssean type lifestyle, this may be harder for

those with pathological changes but these those with pathological changes but these individuals may also benefit the most from this individuals may also benefit the most from this approach. During the presentation I will briefly approach. During the presentation I will briefly

explain each theory and how it may influence the explain each theory and how it may influence the aging process. aging process.

Psychological Theories of Aging

Life span: The second half of life is characterized by significantindividual differentiation, multidirectionality, and intraindividual plasticity

Selective optimization: A model of psychological and behavior adaptation with compensation identifying three fundamental mechanisms for managing adaptive development in later life

Socioemotional selectivity: Describes individual choices in interaction, based on self-interested need for emotional closeness that leads to selective interactions

Cognition and aging: Distal determinant Factors that affect cognition reside outside the individual, for example, in the social and cultural environment Proximal determinant Specific individual differences are the cause of cognitive change

Personality and aging: Theories that focus on the extent and nature ofpersonality stability and change over time

Bonder, Bette; Bello-Haas, Vanina Dal, Jan ,2009, Functional Performance in Older Adults.

Life Span Development Life Span Development TheoryTheory

Social & psychological forces throughout ones life course such Social & psychological forces throughout ones life course such as individual dynamics, transitions, social context, cultural as individual dynamics, transitions, social context, cultural meanings and social structural location will each contribute to meanings and social structural location will each contribute to ones life span. ones life span.

Life-Span Development Theory: Baltes & Smith identify three Life-Span Development Theory: Baltes & Smith identify three principles: principles:

1) Evolutionary selection benefits decrease with age 1) Evolutionary selection benefits decrease with age 2) the need for culture increases with age, and 2) the need for culture increases with age, and

3) the efficacy of culture decrease with age. 3) the efficacy of culture decrease with age.

““Their focus is on how these dynamics contribute to the optimal Their focus is on how these dynamics contribute to the optimal expression of human development and the production of expression of human development and the production of

outcomes of adaptive fitness”. They “also postulate that a outcomes of adaptive fitness”. They “also postulate that a condition of loss, limitation, or deficit could play a catalytic role condition of loss, limitation, or deficit could play a catalytic role

for positive change”. (for positive change”. (Bonder, B., Bello-Haas, Vanina Dal, Jan ,2009)

Selective Optimization WithSelective Optimization With

Compensation TheoryCompensation Theory

Optimization = Optimization = Engagement in Engagement in behaviors that will enrich behaviors that will enrich ones life and help people ones life and help people age successfully. age successfully.

Socioemotional Selectivity Socioemotional Selectivity TheoryTheory

The theory that social exchanges and The theory that social exchanges and interactions are reduced over time. interactions are reduced over time.

As one ages a person may become more As one ages a person may become more selective with whom they choose to spend selective with whom they choose to spend their time with. Emotional closeness may their time with. Emotional closeness may become more important with significant become more important with significant others. The idea to which one can others. The idea to which one can selectively choose with whom they want to selectively choose with whom they want to dedicate their time for becomes more dedicate their time for becomes more important as ones ages. * (quality verses important as ones ages. * (quality verses quantity)quantity)

Cognitive and Aging TheoriesCognitive and Aging Theories

““The theory of cognition is the age-The theory of cognition is the age-related decline in fluid cognitive related decline in fluid cognitive performance (the efficiency or performance (the efficiency or effectiveness of performing tasks of effectiveness of performing tasks of learning, memory, reasoning and spatial learning, memory, reasoning and spatial abilities.) However, crystallized abilities abilities.) However, crystallized abilities are more stable across the life span and are more stable across the life span and may even increase with age. may even increase with age. (Representing social cultural influences (Representing social cultural influences on general world knowledge)”. (Bonder, on general world knowledge)”. (Bonder, 2009)2009)

Personality & Aging Personality & Aging TheoriesTheories

Theories focus on the nature and extent of Theories focus on the nature and extent of personality stability and how they change over a personality stability and how they change over a persons life span. persons life span.

Developmental Explanations and Personality Trait Developmental Explanations and Personality Trait Explanations based on the “big five”: Explanations based on the “big five”:

1) neuroticism 1) neuroticism 2) extroversion 2) extroversion 3) openness to experience 3) openness to experience 4) agreeableness 4) agreeableness 5) conscientiousness 5) conscientiousness

Many believe that personality traits are more Many believe that personality traits are more stable later in life whereas “goals, values, coping stable later in life whereas “goals, values, coping styles and control beliefs” are more that likely to styles and control beliefs” are more that likely to change. (Bonder, 2009)change. (Bonder, 2009)

Ulyssean ApproachesUlyssean Approaches

Play time! The importance of play Play time! The importance of play throughout life. throughout life.

Why do we play? Why do we play?

WARNINGWARNINGThis video may give you a temptation for a better lifeThis video may give you a temptation for a better life..

PLAY

Video Clip SummaryVideo Clip Summary

Play is an integral part of lifePlay is an integral part of life– Body Play (Out of Gravity)Body Play (Out of Gravity)– Object Play (Human Hand in Object Play (Human Hand in

Manipulation)Manipulation)– Safe ExplorationSafe Exploration– Social PlaySocial Play– Serious PlaySerious Play

Three dimensional play can help memory, Three dimensional play can help memory, there is a connection between there is a connection between psychological play and well being. Play is psychological play and well being. Play is now being used in care facilities. Ex. now being used in care facilities. Ex. Nintendo Wii Game. Nintendo Wii Game.

Non-Players – Do not come out & die (flee & Non-Players – Do not come out & die (flee & hide)hide)

Players – Explore environment and begin to Players – Explore environment and begin to try new things. try new things.

As stated in the recommended video As stated in the recommended video attached play may be pretty important to attached play may be pretty important to our survival. our survival.

Video Clip Summary: Video Clip Summary: From play to innovationFrom play to innovation

SummarySummary

Psychological changes will vary as will the way Psychological changes will vary as will the way an individual adapts and develops the skills an individual adapts and develops the skills needed to enjoy life to the fullest. Some may needed to enjoy life to the fullest. Some may develop mental health disorders however it is develop mental health disorders however it is how these individuals cope and move forward how these individuals cope and move forward that will determine how successfully they age. that will determine how successfully they age. The Ulsyssean lifestyle is ideal not only to The Ulsyssean lifestyle is ideal not only to those who have no mental health issues but those who have no mental health issues but especially important to those who have especially important to those who have developed some form of mental health barrier. developed some form of mental health barrier. Having a positive outlook and seeking positive Having a positive outlook and seeking positive social support systems will help during the social support systems will help during the aging process. aging process.

Additional ResourcesAdditional ResourcesTo look at when you have extra time:To look at when you have extra time:

The eight irresistible principles of The eight irresistible principles of fun:fun:

Video Format: Video Format: Eight Principles - Play VideoEight Principles - Play Video

ReferencesReferences

Bette R., Bello-Haas, Vanina Dal (2009). Bette R., Bello-Haas, Vanina Dal (2009). Functional Performance in Functional Performance in Older Adults. Older Adults. Retrieved May, 21, 2010 from Retrieved May, 21, 2010 from http://www.viu.cahttp://www.viu.ca

The eight irresistible principles of funThe eight irresistible principles of fun (2010). Retrieved May, 24, (2010). Retrieved May, 24, from: from:

http://www.eightprinciples.com/http://www.eightprinciples.com/

Stuart Brown says play is more than funStuart Brown says play is more than fun (2008). Retrieved May, 20, (2008). Retrieved May, 20, from:from: http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_play_is_more_

than_fun_it_s_vital.htmlthan_fun_it_s_vital.html

McGuire, F., Boyd, R., Tedrick, R., (2004) McGuire, F., Boyd, R., Tedrick, R., (2004) Leisure And Aging.Leisure And Aging. Sagamore Publishing. Sagamore Publishing.