Chapter Notes: Module 13

PSYC 200 Chapter Notes

Chapter 8: Middle Adulthood (pages 285-306)

These may be the shortest chapter notes yet!  The material in this chapter is fairly straight-forward and doesn’t require a lot of additional amplification.  Middle adulthood begins at approximately 40 years of age and extends to about 60 to 65 years of age.  The picture of Andre Agassi  illustrates that even though he shows some of the physical manifestations of aging (hair loss), he still remains quite active and physically fit.  The next few pages detail physical changes such areas as vision,  hearing, and a variety of health concerns, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, digestive issues. 

This chapter also includes good and practical information related to sleep, exercise, nutrition and weight. This section of the chapter concludes with issues related to sexuality in middle adulthood, as well as brain functioning at midlife.

Please note the clear connection between stress and health.  This reality is not just a reminder for middle-aged adults.  The cumulative effects of stress in early adulthood take their toll as we get older.  The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory has been around for quite awhile, but it helps identify the types of stressors in everyday life that can impact our health.  You can see a sample of this annual inventory  with a simple internet search.

You may have already studied Type A and Type B behavioral patterns .  It is very interesting to note the detrimental health outcomes associated with Type A behavior, such as hard-driven, competitive, impatient and hostile.    If you would like to review these two behavior typologies, check out this information:  https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-a-type-a-personality Links to an external site. 

The notion of hardiness, connected with resilience, is a meaningful concept.  The study by Maddi and his associates identified 3 C’s of hardiness:  commitment, control and challenge. When “hardy” people hit difficult times, they stay engaged and focused on their tasks, do what they are able to do, and approach the situation with a positive frame of mind. 

The discussion of menopause is on pages 303-304.  By the way, one of my favorite term papers on this topic submitted by a student was titled:  “Minnow Pause: When fish stop swimming.”  It wasn’t a very good paper, but it was a clever title!

The caption under the lady pictured on page 304 suggests that there are cultural variations associated with the experience of menopause.  Some believe this is due to how Westerners fear aging.  Others suggest it is related to our Western diet.   Perhaps soy-based products have estrogen-like qualities which minimize the physical changes in menopause.  The author also notes hormonal changes in men during this time of life.  Some social scientists suggest there is a male menopause, often called andropause.