Transitions of Life

Social Clock

• consists of norms governing what most other people of the same age and historical generation are expected to do
• varies by culture
• declining importance in our lives today

Emerging Adulthood

• recently created phase of life between ages 18 and 25
• distinct from both adolescence and adulthood
• members are more mature than adolescents but have not yet fully taken on the role of an independent adult

The Middle Years

• midlife years between ages 35 and 65
• typically a time of both psychological well-being and good health
• menopause and the midlife crisis

Menopause

• usually occurs between ages 45 and 55
• symptoms occur due to decreased production of hormones
• most women view menopause with relief or neutrality; only 3% regret reaching this life stage

Old Age

• fastest growing segment of North American population due to increased life expectancy
• decline in intelligence, memory, and mental functioning
• 30% of physical and mental decline is genetic; other 70% is influenced by behavioral factors

Fluid Intelligence

• capacity for deductive reasoning and the ability to use new information to solve problems
• independent of education
• tends to decline in old age

Crystallized Intelligence

• knowledge and skills that are built up over a lifetime (arithmetic, vocabulary, etc.)
• heavily dependent on education
• tends to remain stable with age