Theoretical issues in the study of adult development and aging ( A through E)
A. Development as gains and losses.
-1. Changes in adulthood are as significant as those in childhood and adolescence.
-2. Adult changes include vocational decisions, lifestyle choices, and social maturity.
B. Qualitative vs. quantitative change
-1. Qualitative change is abrupt and stage-like; kind rather than amount.
-2. Quantitative change is gradual and continuous; amount rather than kind.
C. Stagelike vs. continuous of change
-1. The notion of stage is controversial
-2. A stage theory provides a description of a sequence of qualitative changes.
-3. Stage theories emphasize developmental discontinuity.
-4. Continuity involves increases, decreases, and stability rather than abruptness.
-5. The same processes control physiological functioning throughout the life span.
D. Plasticity vs. non-plasticity of change
-1. Plasticity involves the reversibility of some aspects of development.
-2. Reserve capacity involves age differences in behavioral efficiency or ability of biological and cognitive systems to maintain performance when challenged by stress (Baltes, 1997 see references list).
-3. Reserve describes the potential and limits of behavioral functioning.
-4. Many age-related deficits can be fixed by appropriate intervention and health promotion.
E. Multidirectional vs, unidirectional change.
-1. Multidirectional change implies intra-individual differences in the patterns of aging (see Seattle longitudinal study).
-2. Unidirectional view suggests all abilities show the same trend with maturation (e.g. Freud or Piaget).