HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT Dr. Lisa Belfield UNIT 9: CHAPTER 12 LATE ADULTHOOD: AGES 60+ YEARS “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter”. Mark Twain “Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order”. John Quincy Adams

Late Adulthood Erikson’s theory: INTEGRITY versus DESPAIR “As older adults, some can look back with a feeling of integrity — that is, contentment and fulfillment, having led a meaningful life and valuable contribution to society. Others may have a sense of despair during this stage, reflecting upon their experiences and failures. They may fear death as they struggle to find a purpose to their lives, wondering “What was the point of life? Was it worth it?” Late Adulthood (Age 60 – end of life)

Commonalties in Aging   Concern with leaving a legacy, this relates to Erikson’s integrity versus despair   A change in the sense of time   Wanting to fulfill the elder function   Attachment to familiar objects   Creativity, curiosity, and surprise

Ponder this…

The Biophysical Dimension

Late Adulthood   Life span vs. Life expectancy   Death and Dying 5 stages of the dying process: 1. 1.Denial and Isolation 2. 2.Anger 3. 3.Bargaining 4. 4.Depression 5. 5.Acceptance   End-of-Life Care

The Psychological Dimension

Cognitive Development   Fluid intelligence: Abstract reasoning ability   Crystallized intelligence: Accumulated information & verbal skills

Test your Brain Age!   Take this quick brain age test at: age-test.html   Do not think about it too much, just quickly take the test – it should take you about 7 minutes.   Read all of the instructions CAREFULLY.   Report your results (if you dare!). What is your chronological age? What is your brain age? [Example: 38/27]

The Social Dimension

Widowhood   Psychosocial adjustment   85% of wives outlive their husbands   Differences between widows and widowers

Parent-Child Relationships   Types of support typically given by adult children to their older parents: Emotional Support Instrumental Support Management of medical conditions

Aging Successfully Chronological Age vs. Mental Age vs. Spiritual Age

We whisper a new baby’s name to the rising sun, we laugh as the child mistakes a cow for a dog, we call each other “buttface”, we learn and grow, we dye our hair purple as we struggle to establish a unique identity, we work and we love and sometimes we cry, we stand at the crossroads and hesitate for just a moment before moving on, we stare as the shoreline recedes and the ship sails away before finally turning to hear the voices calling from the other shore… Ashford, LeCroy, & Lortie, 2009, p. 626

  This week please read the article titled, From Tragedy to Triumph: Counselor as Companion on the Hero’s Journey (the link is on the course home page).   I encourage you to post to the discussion board in Unit 10 this week. This is a great opportunity for you to process your learning during the course.   There is no seminar scheduled for next week.   Thanks for productive, interesting and fun seminars this term! UNIT 10