©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 12:43 PM.
Psyc 140 Module 8 Study set Study Guide.
Late Adulthood - Answer✔-Begins in one's 60's
-Longest period in one's life
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late Adulthood - Answer✔Do most adults develop
dementia?
-No
-Some have memory lapses or senility
-Professionals use the term dementia or neurocognitive disorder to describe the loss of
cognitive abilities due to Alzheimer's or Stroke.
-Not typical for anyone to have a neurocognitive disorder.
-Not a normal part of aging
-Neurocognitive disorders can be caused by stroke, drug and alcohol abuse, or progressive
deterioration
-NDs are extremely rare prior to the age of 60.
-Small percent of 65-70 Y/O have NDs. The number increases with age.
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late adulthood - Answer✔Why do women typically
outlive men?
-Multifaceted issue, experts indicate the answer to this question is partly genetics.
-Partly environmental
-Men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors (drug and alcohol abuse) and less vigilant
about their overall health.
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late adulthood - Answer✔Are memory problems
inevitable as we get older?
-Cognitive changes occur as adults age.
-Typical change: Elders have trouble remembering precise information.
-Neurocognitive disorders and Dementia are not a NORMAL part of aging!
1
, ©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 12:43 PM.
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late adulthood - Answer✔Do most elders need to live
in a nursing home?
-NO
-Most elders are able to care for themselves and able to carry on their normal activities.
-Elders who are physically unwell and have cognitive and mobility issues may utilize/necessitate
long-term care.
Two Types of Aging - Answer✔-Primary Aging: Genetic influence, is thought to be unavoidable.
What triggers this process is up for debate.
-Secondary Aging: Aging that is not inevitable. Choices we make contribute to this aging and
environmental exposure. e.g. (smoking cigarettes, sun exposure causes wrinkles.
Wear and Tear theory - Answer✔-According to this theory, time and exertion is the enemy.
-This theory doesn't take into account that the body does an amazing job at repairing normal
wear and tear.
-This theory doesn't explain what causes this issue.
-focuses on secondary aging, disregards the root problem, primary aging.
-Those who engage in exercise and activities are typically healthier, longer lived compared to
sedentary individuals.
-Scientists look at DNA for answers to aging.
Free Radical Theory - Answer✔-Triggered by certain environmental contaminants.
-Might be linked to various diseases.
-Accumulating free radicals over time, associates with problems. e.g. (DNA mutations (primary
aging meets secondary aging), cataracts, arthritis, certain cancers, diabetes, etc).
-Modified in the 1970s
-As we move through the world there's toxins and other things that cause mutations.
-RECENT work modifies this theory.
-Cellular Theory
Programmed Cell Theory - Answer✔-Focuses on how cells appear to be designed to self-
destruct.
-Various processes contribute to programmed cell death.
2
Psyc 140 Module 8 Study set Study Guide.
Late Adulthood - Answer✔-Begins in one's 60's
-Longest period in one's life
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late Adulthood - Answer✔Do most adults develop
dementia?
-No
-Some have memory lapses or senility
-Professionals use the term dementia or neurocognitive disorder to describe the loss of
cognitive abilities due to Alzheimer's or Stroke.
-Not typical for anyone to have a neurocognitive disorder.
-Not a normal part of aging
-Neurocognitive disorders can be caused by stroke, drug and alcohol abuse, or progressive
deterioration
-NDs are extremely rare prior to the age of 60.
-Small percent of 65-70 Y/O have NDs. The number increases with age.
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late adulthood - Answer✔Why do women typically
outlive men?
-Multifaceted issue, experts indicate the answer to this question is partly genetics.
-Partly environmental
-Men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors (drug and alcohol abuse) and less vigilant
about their overall health.
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late adulthood - Answer✔Are memory problems
inevitable as we get older?
-Cognitive changes occur as adults age.
-Typical change: Elders have trouble remembering precise information.
-Neurocognitive disorders and Dementia are not a NORMAL part of aging!
1
, ©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 12:43 PM.
Misconceptions and Misunderstanding of Late adulthood - Answer✔Do most elders need to live
in a nursing home?
-NO
-Most elders are able to care for themselves and able to carry on their normal activities.
-Elders who are physically unwell and have cognitive and mobility issues may utilize/necessitate
long-term care.
Two Types of Aging - Answer✔-Primary Aging: Genetic influence, is thought to be unavoidable.
What triggers this process is up for debate.
-Secondary Aging: Aging that is not inevitable. Choices we make contribute to this aging and
environmental exposure. e.g. (smoking cigarettes, sun exposure causes wrinkles.
Wear and Tear theory - Answer✔-According to this theory, time and exertion is the enemy.
-This theory doesn't take into account that the body does an amazing job at repairing normal
wear and tear.
-This theory doesn't explain what causes this issue.
-focuses on secondary aging, disregards the root problem, primary aging.
-Those who engage in exercise and activities are typically healthier, longer lived compared to
sedentary individuals.
-Scientists look at DNA for answers to aging.
Free Radical Theory - Answer✔-Triggered by certain environmental contaminants.
-Might be linked to various diseases.
-Accumulating free radicals over time, associates with problems. e.g. (DNA mutations (primary
aging meets secondary aging), cataracts, arthritis, certain cancers, diabetes, etc).
-Modified in the 1970s
-As we move through the world there's toxins and other things that cause mutations.
-RECENT work modifies this theory.
-Cellular Theory
Programmed Cell Theory - Answer✔-Focuses on how cells appear to be designed to self-
destruct.
-Various processes contribute to programmed cell death.
2
