Question

Psychologists today recognize childhood as a separate stage of life which can only be understood in its own terms, and they wonder why the Western world took so long to see the folly of regarding children simply as small, inadequately socialized adults. Most psychologists, however, persist in regarding people 70 to 90 years old as though they were 35 year olds who just happen to have white hair and extra leisure time. But old age is as fundamentally different from young adulthood and middle age as childhood is \(-\) a fact attested to by the organization of modern social and economic life. Surely it is time, therefore, to acknowledge that serious research into the unique psychology of advanced age has become indispensable. Which one of the following principles, if established, would provide the strongest backing for the argument? (A) Whenever current psychological practice conflicts with traditional attitudes toward people, those traditional attitudes should be changed to bring them in line with current psychological practice. (B) Whenever two groups of people are so related to each other that any member of the second group must previously have been a member of the first, people in the first group should not be regarded simply as deviant members of the second group. (C) Whenever most practitioners of a given discipline approach a particular problem in the same way, that uniformity is good evidence that all similar problems should also be approached in that way- (D) Whenever a society's economic life is so organized that two distinct times of life are treated as being fundamentally different from one another, each time of life can be understood only in terms of its own distinct psychology. (E) Whenever psychologists agree that a single psychology is inadequate for two distinct age groups, they should be prepared to show that there are greater differences between the two age groups than there are between individuals in the same age group.

Short answer

Option (D) provides the strongest backing.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Argument

The argument suggests that old age should be regarded as fundamentally different from adulthood, in the same way childhood is viewed differently from adulthood. This implies that research should focus on understanding the unique psychology of advanced age.

Identify the Principle Needed

To support the argument, we need a principle that emphasizes the importance of recognizing distinct psychological stages for different age groups, highlighting the inadequacy of considering older adults as merely 'advanced' younger adults.

Analyze Each Option

Examine each given option to determine which aligns best with the necessity of understanding distinct psychological stages: - **(A)** Suggests changing traditional attitudes, which isn't directly relevant to psychological understanding. - **(B)** Highlights not viewing early group members as deviant later group members, relevant for distinguishing groups. - **(C)** Focuses on uniformity among practitioners, not directly on psychological stages. - **(D)** Discusses the need for distinct psychological understanding based on societal structures, aligns with the argument. - **(E)** Requires evidence of differences greater than intra-group variance, focusing on evidence rather than the principle of psychological differentiation.

Selecting the Best Option

Option **(D)** states that when society economically treats two life stages as distinct, each should be understood in its own psychological terms. This directly backs the argument by supporting the idea that understanding old age as distinct is crucial because of the fundamental differences recognized by society.

Key concepts

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology is a fascinating area that examines how people grow and change throughout their lives. It looks at different stages of life and how they shape our personalities, behaviors, and abilities.

This field considers the physical, cognitive, and social changes across various life stages. From childhood, where rapid development occurs, to old age, where individuals may experience decline in certain abilities but growth in others like wisdom, developmental psychology covers it all.

Its aim is to understand how these changes impact our overall well-being and how they vary among different individuals.

Age-Specific Research

Age-specific research focuses on studying different age groups to understand the unique challenges and characteristics at each stage of life.

By examining children, adults, and the elderly individually, researchers can identify specific needs and solutions for each group. For example, understanding the cognitive decline in older adults can lead to better interventions to maintain mental health.

This type of research is crucial as it acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work, given the vast differences across age groups.

Psychological Differentiation

Psychological differentiation is the idea that different stages of life have distinct psychological characteristics that can't merely be extended from one stage to another.

Each life stage, from childhood to old age, has unique psychological needs and behaviors. Recognizing these differences is vital in providing the appropriate care and intervention.

Differentiation helps us understand why treating a 70-year-old the same as a 35-year-old, for instance, is inadequate for psychological well-being.

Life Stages

Life stages refer to the different periods of human development that people go through from birth to old age.

• Infancy
• Childhood
• Adolescence
• Adulthood
• Old age

Each stage is characterized by unique physical, cognitive, and emotional developments.

Understanding life stages is crucial in both psychological research and practice, as it helps to tailor interventions appropriately for each stage's specific challenges and strengths.

Psychological Practice

Psychological practice involves applying psychological theories and research findings to help individuals cope with challenges in various life stages.

Practitioners may use different approaches depending on the life stage of the individual they are working with. For example, therapeutic techniques for children often involve play, while older adults might benefit from cognitive therapies focused on age-related issues.

This flexibility in methods underscores the importance of understanding the distinct psychological needs of each age group.

Social Psychology

Social psychology studies how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.

It considers how social contexts, like family, friends, and broader society, impact an individual's psychological development at different life stages.

Understanding social influences is crucial, as they can significantly vary across age groups, further reinforcing the uniqueness of each stage's psychological landscape.