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20912-2 What are the physical changes that occur in middle and late adulthood?%u2022 We reach our physical peak (in reaction time, sensory awareness, and cardiac output) in our twenties, and these attributes begin to decline in our mid- to late thirties.%u2022 Some cultures value the signs of aging, but others resist them.%u2022 Women experience menopause in middle adulthood, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. There is no male equivalent of menopause, although testosterone levels and sperm count drop somewhat as men age.%u2022 In late adulthood, our eyesight weakens as our eyes let in less light. Our immune system also weakens, and the neural pathways in our brain slow.12-3 What are the cognitive changes that occur in middle and late adulthood?%u2022 Our performance on memory recall tasks worsens as we age, but our performance on memory recognition tasks remains stable as we age (at least between the ages of 20 and 60).social clock, p. 196emerging adulthood, p. 196menopause, p. 198Alzheimer%u2019s disease, p. 200dementia, p. 200KEY TERMS%u2022 Recall and processing speed tends to decrease during late adulthood, while vocabulary, accumulated knowledge, and social reasoning skills tend to increase with age.12-4 What are the likely effects of significant life events (such as marriage, meaningful employment, and the aging process) on happiness and life satisfaction?%u2022 Research indicates any work that is challenging, provides a sense of accomplishment, and fits our interests will likely increase our general happiness.%u2022 Romantic relationships last longer when they include high levels of self-disclosure, emotional support, and similar interests. Men and women in committed relationships report greater well-being than individuals who remain alone.%u2022 Older people report happiness and life satisfaction levels similar to the levels reported by younger people.%u2022 Reactions to death vary from culture to culture and vary widely among different people.Summative Assessment1. What do we call the period of the late teens to the mid-twenties that bridges the gap between adolescent dependence and responsible adulthood?a. Social clockb. Identity explorationc. Self-focusd. Emerging adulthood2. What did Christopher Munsey call the time in a person%u2019s life when that individual is full of optimism and believes that they will find a soulmate?a. Age of possibilitiesb. Age of feeling betweenc. Age of self-focusd. Age of instability%u00a9 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. For review purposes only. Do not distribute.