Handbook of the Psychology of Aging, Sixth Edition

555 Pages·2005·4.494 MB·English

by  James E. Birren, K Warner Schaie

Contributors
Numbers inparentheses indicatethe pagenumber onwhichthe author’s contributionbegins.
Ronald P. Abeles, National Institutes University of Illinois at Urbana-
of Health, Office of Behavioral and Champaign, Champaign,Illinois61820
Social Sciences Research, Bethesda,
Maryland 20892–9205
Jennifer Dave (407), University of
Southern California, Department of
Carolyn M. Aldwin (85), Department of
Psychology, Los Angeles, California
Human Development & Family
90089
Sciences, Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
Monica Fabiani (57), Department of
Psychology, Beckman Institute,
James E. Birren (477), UCLA Center on
University of Illinois at Urbana-
Aging, Los Angeles, California 90095-
Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
6980
61801
Gerard Brugman (445), University of
Utrecht, De Uithof, Utrecht, The Geoff R. Fernie (425), Toronto
Netherlands Rehabilitation Institute, University
Centre,Toronto,Ontario,CanadaM5G
Laura Carstensen (343), Department of 2A2
Psychology, Stanford University,
Stanford, California 94305 Margaret Gatz, Department of
Psychology, University of Southern
Stanley J. Colcombe (57), Department of California, Los Angeles, California
Psychology, Beckman Institute, 90089-1061
xi
xii Contributors
Paul W. Griffin (363), Assistant Professor Leah Light (261), Department of
of Psychology Pace University Psychology,Pitzer College,Claremont,
Pleasantville, New York 10570 California 91711
Alan Hartley (183), Scripps College, Ulman Lindenberger (289), Center for
Claremont, California 91711 Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck
Institute for Human Development, D-
Thomas M. Hess (379), Department of 14195 Berlin, Germany
Psychology, North Carolina State
University, Raleigh, North Carolina Jennifer Margrett (315), Department of
27695-7650 Psychology, West Virginia University,
Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-
Scott M. Hofer (15), Department of 6040
Human Development and Family
Studies, Pennsylvania State Michael Marsiske (315), Department of
University, University Park, Clinical and Health Psychology,
Pennsylvania 16802 University of Florida, Gainesville,
Florida 32610-0165
William J. Hoyer (209), Department of
Psychology, Syracuse University, Mara Mather (343), University of
Syracuse, New York 13244 California, Santa Cruz, Department of
Psychology, Santa Cruz, California
Brian Kaskie (407), University of Iowa, 95064
Health Management and Policy, Iowa
City, Iowa 52242 Bonnie Meyer (233), Educational
Psychology, Pennsylvania State
BobG.Knight(407),AndrusGerontology University, University Park,
Center, University of Southern Pennsylvania 16802
California, Los Angeles, California
90089-0191 Joseph A. Mikels (343), Department of
Psychology, Stanford University,
Arthur F. Kramer (57), Department Stanford, California 94305
of Psychology, Beckman Institute,
Daniel K. Mroczek (363), Purdue
University of Illinois at Urbana-
University,CenteronAging&theLife
Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Course, Department of Child
61820
Development & Family Studies West
Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2055
NealKrause(499),Dept.ofHlth.Beh.and
Hlth. Educ., The University of
Karl M. Newell (163), College of Health
Michigan,AnnArbor,Michigan48109-
and Human Development,
2029 Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Shu-Chen Li (288), Center for Lifespan
Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Crystal L. Park (85), Department of
Human Development, D-14195 Berlin, Psychology,UniversityofConnecticut,
Germany Storrs, Connecticut 06269-1020
Contributors xiii
Carlee K. Pollard (233), Educational and Southern California, Los Angeles,
School Psychology and Special California 90089-0191
Education, Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Martin Sliwinski (15), Syracuse Univer-
Pennsylvania 16802 sity, Department of Psychology, Syra-
cuse, New York 13244
Michaela Riediger (288), Center for
Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Jacob J. Sosnoff (163), University of
Institute for Human Development, Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana,
D-14195 Berlin Germany Illinois 61801
Timothy A. Salthouse (3), Department of
Avron Spiro, III (85, 363), VA Boston
Psychology, University of Virginia,
Healthcare System and Boston
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
University Schools of Public Health
and Dental Medicine, Boston,
K. Warner Schaie,Department of Human
Massachusetts 02130
Development and Family Studies,
Department of Psychology, and
Robert Thornton (261), Linguistics and
Gerontology Center, The Pennsylvania
Cognitive Science, Pomona College,
State University, State College,
Claremont, California 91711
Pennsylvania 16801
David E. Vaillancourt (163), Department
Rick J. Scheidt (105), School of Family
of Movement Sciences, University of
Studies & Human Services, Kansas
Illinois at Chicago, College of Applied
State University, Manhattan, Kansas
Health Sciences, Chicago, Illinois
66506
60608
Frank Schieber (129), University of South
Dakota, Heimstra Human Factors Paul Verhaeghen (209), Department of
Laboratories,Vermillion,SouthDakota Psychology, Syracuse University,
57069-2390 Syracuse, New York 13244
Johannes J. F. Schroots (477), 1000 GC George Vogler (41), Pennsylvania State
Amsterdam, The Netherlands University, Center for Developmental
and Health Genetics, University Park,
Charles T. Scialfa (425), University
Pennsylvania 16802
of Calgary, Department of
Psychology, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Paul G. Windley (105), University of
T2N 1N4
Idaho-Moscow, Architecture
Gia Robinson Shurgot (407), Andrus Department, Moscow, Idaho 83844-
Gerontology Center, University of 2451
Foreword
This volume is one of a series of three provide updates about what is known
handbooks on aging: Handbook of the about the many processes of aging,
Biology of Aging, Handbook of the but also interpretations of findings by
Psychology of Aging, and Handbook of well informed and experienced scholars
Aging and the Social Sciences. The in many disciplines. Aging is a complex
Handbooks of Aging series, now in its process of change involving influences
sixth edition, reflects the exponential of a biological, behavioral, social, and
growth of research and publicat- environmental nature.
ions in aging research, as well as the Understanding aging is one of the
growing interest in the subject of aging. major challenges facing science in the
Stimulation of research on aging by 21stcentury.Interestinresearchonaging
government andprivatefoundation spon- has become a major focus in science
sorship has been a major contributor to and in the many professions that serve
the growth of publications. There has aging populations. Growth of interest
also been an increase in the number of in research findings about aging and
university and college courses related to their interpretation has been accelerated
aging. The Handbooks of Aging have with the growth of populations of older
helped to organize courses and seminars persons in developed and developing
on aging by providing knowledge bases countries. As more understanding has
for instruction and for new steps in been gained about genetic factors that
research. contribute to individual prospects for
The Handbooks are used by academic length of life and life limiting and
researchers, graduate students, and pro- disabling diseases, researchers have
fessionals,foraccessandinterpretationof simultaneously become more aware of
contemporary research literature about the environmental factors that modulate
aging. They serve both as a reference and the expression of genetic predispositions.
as organizational tool for integrating a These Handbooks both reflect and
wide body of research that is often cross encourage an ecological view of aging, in
disciplinary. The Handbooks not only which aging is seen as a result of diverse
xv
xvi Foreword
forces interacting. These Handbooks can new, and is not simply an update of
help to provide information to guide previous editions.
planning as nations face ‘‘age quakes’’ I want to thank the editors of the
due to shifts in the size of their popula- individual volumes for their cooperation,
tions of young and older persons. efforts, and wisdom in planning and
In addition to the rise in research reviewing the chapters. Without their
publications about aging, there has been intense efforts and experience The Hand-
a dramatic change in the availability of books would not be possible. I thank
scientific literature since the first Edward J. Masoro and Steven N. Austad,
editions of The Handbooks of Aging editorsoftheHandbookoftheBiologyof
were published. There are now millions Aging; the editors of the Handbook of
of references available on line. This Aging and the Social Sciences, Robert H.
increases the need for integration of Binstock and Linda K. George, and their
information. The Handbooks help to associate editors, Stephen J. Cutler, Jon
encourage integration of information Hendrick, and James H. Schultz; and my
from across disciplines and methods of co-editoroftheHandbookofthePsychol-
gathering data about aging. ogy of Aging, K. Warner Schaie, and the
With so much new information avail- associate editors, Ronald P. Abeles,
able, one of the editorial policies has Margaret Gatz, and Timothy A.
beentheselectionofnewchapterauthors Salthouse.
and subject matter in each successive I also want to express my appreciation
edition. This allows The Handbooks to to Nikki Levy, Publisher at Elsevier,
present new points of view, to keep whose experience, long term interest,
current, and to explore new topics in and cooperation have facilitated the
which new research has emerged. The publication of The Handbooks through
sixth edition is thus virtually wholly their many editions.
James E. Birren
Preface
The Handbook of the Psychology of longer and living more active lives than
Aging provides a basic reference source they did in the early days of the 20th
on the behavioral processes of aging century when child psychology emerged
for researchers, graduate students, and as a research and teaching specialty.
professionals. It also provides perspec- The psychology of aging is complex
tivesforpersonnelfromotherdisciplines. and many new questions are being raised
This sixth edition of the Handbook abouthowbehaviorisorganizedandhow
reflects the growing volume of literature itchangesoverthecourseoflife.Increas-
about adult development and aging. ingly, results of longitudinal studies
Theresearchliteratureonthepsychology are providing insights into the causal
of aging continues to expand rapidly factors in behavior changes associated
reflecting both the rising interest of with adult development and aging. They
the scientific community but also the arecontributingtounderstandingtherole
needs of a growing older population. The of behavior changes in relation to bio-
growthoftheresearch literatureprovides logical, health, and social interactions.
opportunities to replace chronological Parallel advances in methodology are
age as a convenient index to behavior making it possible to study in greater
changes with variables that are inher- detail, patterns and sub-patterns of beha-
ently causal and have the potential for vior over the life span.
control or modification. Academic inter- Facing the rapid growth in literature,
ests and public interests are contributing the editors have had to make choices
to the emergence of the psychology of about what new topics to include in the
aging as a major subject in universities handbook. Growth in research activity is
and research institutions. Issues of the not uniform and notable increases may
psychology of aging touch upon many be seen in neuropsychology, cognitive
features of daily life, from the workplace psychology and behavioral genetics, in
and family life to policy matters of relation to aging. Some topics covered in
retirement, health care, social security earlier editions of the Handbook are not
and pensions. People are living much included in the present edition. For this
xvii
xviii Preface
reason readers are advised to consult Behavioral Processes and Aging; and
earlier volumes both for data and for Part IV Complex Behavioral Concepts
interpretations. The previous editions and Processes in Aging.
should be consulted for a perspective Changes in the draft manuscripts were
on the development of the subject recommended by the review process.
matter of the psychology of aging. The draft of each chapter was reviewed
The editors have deliberately tried by two associate editors and one of
to seek new authors of chapters on the senior editors. The senior editors
established and important topics as well thank the associate editors, Ronald P.
as authors of chapters on new topics. Abeles, Margaret Gatz, and Timothy A.
Thus an important feature of this edition Salthouse for their advice about the
is new topics and new authors of well selection of topics, authors, and their
established topics. reviews of the chapter drafts. Their
The chapters are organized into four careful reading of the manuscripts and
divisions: Part I Concepts, Theory, and their detailed editorial suggestions are
Methods in the Psychology of Aging; gratefully acknowledged. The assistance
Part II Biological and Social Influences ofJeniferHoffmanintheeditorialprocess
on Aging and Behavior; Part III is also gratefully acknowledged.
James E. Birren
K. Warner Schaie
About the Editors
James E. Birren research interests include the causes and
consequences of slowed information
is associate director of the Center on processing in the older nervous system
Aging at the University of California, and the relation of age to decision-
Los Angeles, and serves as an adjunct making processes. He has developed a
professor in medicine, psychiatry, and program of guided autobiography for
biobehavioral sciences. Dr. Birren’s research purposes and the application to
previous positions include serving as groups of older adults.
chief of the section on aging of the
National Institute of Mental Health,
founding executive director and dean of K. Warner Schaie
the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology
Center of the University of Southern is the Evan Pugh Professor of Human
California, founding executive director Development and Psychology at the
of the Anna and Harry Borun Center Pennsylvania State University. He also
for Gerontological Research at UCLA, holds an appointment as Affiliate Profes-
and president of the Gerontological sor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
Society of the American, The Western at the University of Washington. He
Gerontological Society, and the Division received his Ph.D. in psychology from
on Adult Development and Aging of the the University of Washington, an honor-
American Psychological Association. His ary Dr. phil. from the Friedrich-
awards include the Brookdale Award for Schiller University of Jena, Germany,
Gerontological Research, and the Sandoz andanhonorarySc.D.fromWestVirginia
Prize for Gerontological Research, and University, He received the Kleemeier
the award for outstanding contribution Award for Distinguished Research
to gerontology by the Canadian Associa- Contributions from the Gerontological
tion of Gerontology. Authors of over Society of America, the MENSA life-
250 scholarly publications, Dr. Birren’s time career award, and the Distinguished
xix
xx AbouttheEditors
Scientific Contributions award from health.’’Hehaseditedbooksorpublished
the American Psychological Association. articles and chapters on aging and
Heis author oreditor of45books includ- social psychology, health behaviors,
ing the textbook Adult Development quality of life, sense of control and the
and Aging (with S. L. Willis) now in its interface between social structure and
5th edition. He has directed the Seattle behavior.
Longitudinal Study of cognitive aging
since 1956 and is the author of more
than 250 journal articles and Margaret Gatz
chapters on the psychology of aging. His
currentresearchinterestisthelifecourse is the professor of psychology, geron-
of adult intelligence, its antecedents tology, and preventive medicine at the
and modifiability, the early detection of University of Southern California and
risk for dementia, as well as methodolo- foreign adjunct professor in medical
gical issues in the developmental epidemiology and biostatistics at the
sciences. Karolinska Institute in Stockholm,
Sweden. She is a fellow of the American
Psychological Association, American
Ronald P. Abeles Psychological Society, and Gerontologi-
cal Society of America. She has served
is the special assistant to the director as chair of the Behavioral and Social
of the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Section of the Gerontological
Sciences Research in the Office of the SocietyofAmericaandasassociateeditor
Director, National Institutes of Health of Psychology and Aging. She has
(NIH). Previously, he was the associate been recognized by the APA Division
director for behavioral and Social 20 Distinguished Research Achievement
Research at the National Institute on Award,APACommitteeonAgingAward
Aging, NIH. He is also the chair of the for the Advancement of Psychology and
NIH Coordinating committee for Behav- Aging, the Master Mentor Award of
ioral and Social Sciences Research. the Retirement Research Foundation
He was the president of the Division on and Division 20, the Distinguished
Adult Development and Aging of the Mentorship Award from the Gerontolog-
American Psychological Association icalSocietyBSSsection,andtheAppleof
(APA) and chair of the Section on Aging Knowledge for important contributions
and the Life Course of the American to development of research through
Sociological Association. Dr. Abeles is the University College of Health
a fellow of the APA, the American Sciences, Jo¨nko¨ ping, Sweden. Her
Psychological Society, the Society of research concerns mental health issues
BehavioralMedicine,andtheGerontolog- in older adults.
ical Society of America. He is a recipient
of the NIH Director’s Award and twice
the recipient of the NIH Award of Timothy A. Salthouse
Merit for ‘‘leadership and contributions
to the advancement of behavioral and is the Brown-Forman Professor of
social research on aging’’ and ‘‘for the Psychology at the University of Virginia.
exceptional leadership in advancing a He is a fellow of the Gerontological
program of research to understand and Society of America, the American Asso-
apply knowledge about the relation- ciation for the Advancement of Science,
ship between psychosocial factors and the American Psychological Society,