Lifespan Developmental Psychology Exam 5 Questions and Answers

Ageism prejudice or discrimination based on age Primary Aging gradual, inevitable process of Aging Secondary Aging results from disease, abuse, and disuse Life Expectancy statistical likelihood of length of life, based on age and health status Longevity actual length of life Life Span longest period that members of species can live Gender and Racial Differences in Life Expectancy -Women typically live longer than men -Whites live longer than blacks Theories of Aging -Genetic-programming theories -Variable-rate theories -Hayflick limit -Metabolism theory Genetic-programming theories 1. Programmed senescence 2. Endocrine 3. Immunological Variable-rate theories 1. wear-and-tear 2. Free radicals 3. Rate of living 4. Autoimmune Hayflick Limit estimated biological limit of humans at 110 years Metabolism theory limited caloric intake may extend life span The Aging Brain The brain loses weight over time (10% by age 90) due to shrinking neuron size in cerebral cortex and loss of axons, dendrites and synapses (not due entirely to reduction in number of neurons or brain loss)