Development in Later Life

Essay # 64043

Psychology
Sociology

A discussion on the nature of development occurring in late life.

1,439 words () | 39 sources | MLA | 2005 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the idea that development occurs throughout the lifespan. When one thinks of development, it instantly brings to mind a positive image of gain and progression but, from a lifespan perspective, development is multi-directional, it is more than simply accumulating more attributes and capacities as we journey through life. It involves loss as well as gain, growth as well as decline. This paper explores the biological, cognitive and psychosocial theories of development occurring in late life.

From the Paper:

"There are a number of internal biological changes that take place beginning in early adulthood but because these changes are internal and are therefore not generally experienced or observed directly they have little impact on our behaviour. It is not until middle and late adulthood that these changes begin to affect us functionally. The skin is often the first visible sign of ageing, it becomes thinner, less elastic and wrinkles and visible blood vessels appear, Whitbourne, (1996). Another visible effect of ageing is an alteration of overall body shape, Masoro, (1999). Bone mass peaks at around the ages of 25-30 years and then declines gradually, Firooznia et al, (1984a), although the rate at which it declines differs in men and women , Nilas and Christiansen, (1988) . "