Death and Dying

in review
382
Chapter 9
Human Development
MILESTONES OF ADOLESCENCE AND ADULTHOOD
Age
Physical Changes
Cognitive Changes
Social Events and
Psychological Changes
Early adolescence
(11–15 years)
Puberty brings reproductive
capacity and marked bodily
changes.
Formal operations and
principled moral reasoning
become possible for the first
time. (This occurs only for
some people.)
Social and emotional changes
result from growing sexual
awareness; adolescents experience
mood swings, physical changes,
and conflicts with parents.
Late adolescence
(16–19 years)
Physical growth continues.
Formal operations and
principled moral reasoning
become more likely.
An identity crisis accompanies
graduation from high school.
Early adulthood
(20–39 years)
Physical growth continues.
Increases continue in
knowledge, problem-solving
ability, and moral reasoning.
People choose a job and
often a mate; they may
become parents.
Middle adulthood
(40–65 years)
Size and muscle mass
decrease; fat increases;
eyesight declines;
reproductive capacity in
women ends.
Thought becomes more
complex, adaptive, and
global.
Midlife transition may lead to
change; for most, the middle
years are satisfying.
Late adulthood
(over 65 years)
Size decreases; organs
become less efficient.
Reasoning, mathematical
ability, comprehension, novel
problem solving, and memory
may decline.
Retirement requires
adjustments; people look
inward; awareness of death
precipitates life review.
?
1. The greatest threat to cognitive abilities in late adulthood is
disease.
2. Adolescents’
identity may be more defining than their national citizenship.
3. Not stealing because “I might get caught” reflects the
stage of moral reasoning.
a time of loneliness and desolation, but it is a time when people generally become more
inward looking, cautious, and conforming (Reedy, 1983). It is a time when people develop
coping strategies that increasingly take into account the limits of their control—accepting
what they cannot change, such as chronic health problems (Brandtstadter & Renner, 1990).
Although they interact with others less frequently, older adults enjoy these interactions
more (Carstensen, 1997). They find relationships more satisfying, supportive, and fulfilling than they did earlier in life. As they sense that time is running out, they value positive
interactions and become selective about their social partners. As long as they have a network of at least three close relatives or friends, they are usually content.
The many changes associated with adolescence and adulthood are summarized in
“In Review: Milestones of Adolescence and Adulthood.”
Death and Dying
terminal drop A sharp decline in mental functioning that tends to occur in
late adulthood, a few months or years
before death.
With the onset of old age, people become aware that death is approaching. They watch
as their friends disappear. They may feel their health failing, their strength waning, and
their intellectual capabilities declining. A few years or a few months before death, some
people experience a sharp decline in mental functioning known as terminal drop
(Small & Bäckman, 1999).
The awareness of impending death brings about the last psychological crisis, according to Erikson’s theory. During this stage, people evaluate their lives and accomplishments
and see them as meaningful (leading to a feeling of integrity) or meaningless (leading
to a feeling of despair). They tend to become more philosophical and reflective. They