Psychology of Adult Development Assignment: Aging, Memory, Friendship

This psychology assignment delves into the intricacies of adult development, examining age-related changes in memory processes, the impact of working memory capacity, and effective memory training strategies. The assignment presents a case study of Susan, a 75-year-old widow experiencing memory challenges, and analyzes the factors affecting her memory. It also explores the dynamics of friendship, using the example of Jamil and Khalid to discuss the benefits, roles, and functions of close friendships, including how friendships evolve with age. The assignment further applies Antonucci's Convoy Model of Friendship and Social Support to explain the relationship between Jamil and Khalid, offering insights into the supportive networks that individuals maintain throughout their lives. The student's solution provides a detailed analysis of the psychological concepts involved, offering practical examples and real-world applications.

Psychology of Adult Development
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Contents
Question: 1.......................................................................................................................................3
Question: 2.......................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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Question: 1
A.
i) Discuss about age related changes in memory processes
According to case study, Susan is 75 years old widow lady and does not remember recent
events. However, she has no trouble remembering thing from her 20s but it continuously
changing the behavior and feel forgetting even the voice of her friends.
As person Susan grow older, her experience physiological changes that can cause glitches
in brain functions. It takes longer to learn something new and also recall information (Almeida &
et.al., 2020). The age related memory loss is the one of most common issue where brain is
capable of producing new cell at any age. In this way, it can be developed the significant
memory loss which is not inevitable result of aging.
Memory processes
Memory is a single term that reflects a number of different abilities in which holding
information briefly while working with it. There are different stages in used in the memory
processes such as encoding, storage and retrieval.
Encoding is a termed as consider initial learning information whereas storage refer to
maintain all information over time within brain. On the other hand, Retrieval is a based on the
ability to access information when if required.
Age related changes in memory processes
Encoding process will help for Susan to improve their learning ability and remember the
current events.
Through storage process, Susan is able to store and collect large amount of information
related past experience.
Retrieval process will support for Susan to identify past events and information.
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How it works with Example:-
The Susan meet with her friends again and again. It would be encoded with personality of
individual within mind. In this way, it help for maintain or record the information. This process
will support for remember their friends, family members.
Susan problem
Susan has recently memory is weaker than past memory so that it can improve the current
condition while implementing suitable approach
ii) Describe working memory
As per scenario, Susan is 75 years old lady so that it will be reducing the brain
remembering functionality and does not remember recent events. The working memory is based
on the cognitive system with limited capacity and hold temporarily information (Working
memory, 2018). It is important for individual’s person to provide guidance, reasoning in context
of decision-making and behavior. Usually, working memory is often used in context of short-
term but allows for manipulation of stored information or data within Susan brain.
The root of age-related cognitive decline that may reduce the ability to ignore particular
situation. So as they were putting more efforts into focused during encoding. In order to
compensate for minimizing the ability to hold information within working memory.
Susan’s working memory has declined due to older age, relates to equally typical increase
in distractibility.
iii) Discuss the relationship between Susan’s difficulty and her working memory capacity
The recent events memory of Susan’s is weaker and past memory of Susan’s is stronger.
In this way, it can be identified that Susan’s face difficulty to remember its current event and
poor current working memory capacity. This will help for identifying the relationship between
Susan’s difficulty and her working memory capacity. In recent memory, it should include the
cognitive ability, which become as important part of working memory capacity.
The relationship between Susan’s difficulties with her recent working memory capacity.
Sometimes, it relates to the basic cognitive activities such as memory, attention (Bjorgaard,
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2020). At certain level, it is becoming important for established the coordination between
Susan’s difficulty and her working memory capacity. Susan’s have faced the trouble for
remembering recent events, identifying that her poor working memory capacity. On the basis of
evidence, it has found that Susan’s does not remember the voice of her friends. She has faced the
difficulties for remembering the current events or activities.
The Susan’s storage oriented memory span task with no explicit concurrent processing.
Usually, it referred as short-term memory but involved storage requirement that mainly designed
as working memory capacity. in this way, it can be established the understanding relationship
between difficulties and actual working memory capacity (Hoare, 2020).
As per study, Susan’s have already faced troubled of memory loss and does not
remember event recent events. That’s why, it is difficult for Susan’s to maintain the coordination
with current task and their own memory capacity. Thus, she does not recognized the recent
events in smoothly manner. Another way, it can be said that not categorizing the current situation
into different aspects.
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B.
i) Identifying two different factors affecting age difference in Susan’s memory
There are various difference between normal memory loss and more serious
condition such as dementia. Susan’s may have experienced memory loss and forgetfulness as
they get older. Generally, it is to be consider as normal part of aging. However, the memory
lapses can be defined as sign of dementia.
As per given scenario, there are two different factors affecting the age difference in
Susan’s memory. It involves normal ARML and dementia.
ARML Factor and Dementia factor affecting age difference
ARML has little impact on the daily performance but Susan’s does not remember the
recent events (Hoare, 2020).
On the other hand, Dementia is persistent decline in memory, judgment, language as well
as abstract thinking. For Example- Forgetting where person put car key is a sign of Normal
ARML, but forgetting what are the key is sign of dementia.
In case of Susan’s, it is considered as ARML condition where she does not
remember a certain things or event on daily basis.
C.
i) Describe at least 2 type of memory training strategies that would be effective in helping Susan
The strategies are useful subject of study in cognitive aging for two important reasons.
Firstly, some form of memory related semantic and do no decline with age (Kallio, 2020). Older
people often achieve excellence in areas of everyday functioning that place increase demand on
adopting effective strategies.
The combination of rehearsal, imagery, association and concentration are often in helping
memory training program. The effective strategies include face name recognition, number and
story memory etc. As per case study, there are two different type of memory training strategies,
which mainly applicable for Susan’s.
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Utilize Mnemonic devices
It is one of most common technique often used by older person to aid in recall events.
This type of technique is the simplest way to remember information. For Example- When
Susan’s can use this technique to remember with common item and recent events. This strategy
is very familiar with. The effective mnemonic are those that utilize novelty, positive imagery and
humor.
New direction for cognitive training in older
Here, implying as cognitive training strategy that help for providing the guidance and
direction towards daily activities. So as that Susan’s can perform the different activities while
maintaining the cognitive function (Hoare, 2020). It is helping for Susan to recognize the voice,
name and image of their friends. Through this strategy, it will be conducting the multiple tasks
that involved memory, map reading, problem-solving and exercise.
These are considered the appropriate suitable strategies that help for influencing Susan’s
to improve their own ability and capability. In order to remember the recent events and things
through these strategies.
Question: 2
A)
(i) Describe Jamil and Kahlid friendship
As per scenario, Jamil and Kahild have known each other all their lives. In this way, it
has been developed the specific bonding between them. Being able to have developed trust and
confidence in their friendship.
Characteristics in their friendship
The Characteristics in their friendship between Jamal and Kahlid such as trust,
confidence, loyalty and honesty.
These are considered the most important aspects of strong relationship. Because of these
friendship have developed the trust between each other. The friendship of Jamil and Kahlid are
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considered as super important ingredient in their healthy relationship. It often gets overlooked
when Jamil seems to have known about the Kahlid.
Evidence of scenario
From starting, both Jamil and Kahild are studying in the same school, even married
sisters but they have different career path and their families always got together on holidays
(Hoare, 2020). Other family members are well-known their friendship and identify the strong
between each other.
In most of cases, Jamil and Kahlid are sharing their own personal experience with each
other. This will help for creating a special bond when Jamil also giving the better advice
regarding personal as well as professional decision to Kahild. They always helping with each
other in critical situation. The friendship between Jamil and Kahild that always inspire or
motivate other people. Sometimes, it is consider as good example for friendship and other
families members respect to their relationships or special bonding.
(ii) Discuss about the benefits, roles and functions of both close friends, identifying age related
change in their friendships
A good friends are helping to celebrate better time and provide support during bad times
with each other. Jamil and Kahlid are becoming a good friends to prevent loneliness, give a
chance to offer specific requirement of companionship. There are different benefits of both close
friends like Jamil and Khalid.
 It will increase the sense of belonging and purpose
 It can improve the self-worth, confidence level and boost more happiness
 It is helping to cope with traumas such as serious illness, death of loved one
 This will help for encouraging the individual to change their mood and adopt healthy
lifestyle.
Roles and Functions of both close friends
A good friends are representing the major supports and encourages us, tolerates
shortcomings, Accepts us unconditionally. A true friendship between Khalid and Jamil so that
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they know very well, helping to resolve the issue or problem. True friends like Jamil or Khalid
walk through life become easier.
Function
It can be defined the functions that motivating or inspiring the one fringed to another. In
additional, Adolescent and adults friendship often perform functions such as emotional support,
self-disclosure and intimacy
Function based on scenario
Friendship can be performed the significant role or function in order to promote overall
health. When Jamil and Kahlid become adults with developing the strong social support to
reduce the risk of many significant problem.
Furthermore, it is identifying that age related changes in the friendship of both Kahlid
and Jamil. Sometimes, many adults find it hard to develop new friendship or keep up existing
friendship. It may take a back seat to other priorities. In case of Jamil and Khalid friendship, age
related change occurred to develop a strong bonding between each other. In fact, his families
also identified the strong relationship between them. That’s why, it can be identified that age
related change happen in both positive as well as negative manner. Basically, it is depending on
the particular situation or condition.
B)
(b) Using the Convoy Model of Friendship and Social Support by Antonucci (1980), explain
Jamal and Kahlid’s relationship.
i) Explanation of Convoy Model of Friendship and Social Support
Description of Convoy Model
The convoy model is based on the social relations that enable as parsimonious
representation of highly complex human being circumstances. Through this model, each and
every individual person are supported by other one.
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In this Convoy Model of social support and friendship, Jamal and Kahlid’s individual
goes through a life which is embedded in a personal network of individuals. It helps in
explaining changing relationships in adulthood. This model says that degree of relationships
changes with age. As per this model an individual is always surrounded by supportive others,
who move with them throughout their life time (Fuller, Ajrouch & Antonucci, 2020). However,
their relationship might differ within closeness, functions, quality, and even in structure. These
relationships are mostly influenced by personal as well as by structural characteristics. These
relationships have a drastic impact upon an individual’s health and well- being. As per this
model individuals and their relationships are placed in three concentric circles that mostly
represent closeness level: close closer and closest.
As per given scenario, Khalid and Jamil have both good relationship so as representing
inner circle represent or closest relationships in which closest person is placed at the top. Then
middle circle represents people closer to individual in which most- closer person is at the top
followed by others. Lastly outer circle represents people who are close to the individual. But this
model and relationships within the circles can change with time and place of relationships within
circles can also get changed. This model can be used to explain ways in which closeness between
two individual changes with time.
ii) Explanation of Jamal and Kahlid’s relationship by using Convoy Model of Friendship
and Social Support.
Jamal and Khalid have a closer relationship but their relationship status has changed over time as
they grew older. When both of them were younger, they were closest to each other. Their
relationship can be represented in the inner most circle (Antonucci, Ajrouch & Webster, 2019)
. This is because they have always been closer to each other and had been with each their all their
lives even attended same school got married to sisters. But then they grew older their relationship
status changed and they became close to each other from being closest. This is majorly because
due to their business careers their path took different directions and only meet occasionally major
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holidays. At this point their relationship status moved from inner most circle to outmost circle of
close people (Antonucci, Ajrouch & Webster, 2019)
. This change in their friendship took place only because of their age factor, their own
individual lives, business careers, socioeconomic status and because of many other reasons. This
model can be clearly used to explain how closet Jamal and Khalid are and ways in which from
childhood to adulthood their friendship status has changed.
iii) Support from your own observation of daily occurrences can be provided
From my own observation, I think relationship status between two individuals always
remain same but their closeness to each other can get impacted from time to time. There are
various factors because of which this relationship status changes like careers, age, environment,
development of relationship and closeness with others etc. (Antonucci, Ajrouch & Webster,
2019).
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REFERENCES
Book and Journals
Almeida, D.M. & et.al., (2020). Charting adult development through (historically changing)
daily stress processes. American Psychologist. 75(4). p.511.
Antonucci, T.C., Ajrouch, K.J. & Webster, N.J., (2019). Convoys of social relations: Cohort
similarities and differences over 25 years. Psychology and Aging. 34(8). p.1158.
Bjorgaard, B., (2020). Stage Models of Adult Development: A Critical Introduction to Concepts,
Debates, and Future Directions. Integral Review: A Transdisciplinary & Transcultural
Journal for New Thought, Research, & Praxis. 16(2).
Fuller, H.R., Ajrouch, K.J. & Antonucci, T.C., (2020). Original Voices The Convoy Model and
Later‐Life Family Relationships. Journal of Family Theory & Review.
Hoare, C., (2020). The History of the Concept Adult and Research Regarding Adult
Development. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology.
Kallio, E.K. ed., (2020). Development of Adult Thinking: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on
Cognitive Development and Adult Learning. Routledge.
Online
Source: Working memory. 2018. [online] Available through:<
https://www.simplypsychology.org/working%20memory.html >
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