Overview

Ageing is placed within a lifespan framework (P. Baltes & M. Baltes) and emphasis is on how the ageing mind, the ageing self and an individual's social and psychological resources combine to promote the ageing experience. The implications of ageing will be explored from a range of psychological traditions. Key … For more content click the Read More button below.

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Tuition pattern

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Aims

This topic aims to increase your knowledge of psychological development during ageing. The implications of ageing will be explored from a range of psychological traditions, in particular the Life Span Developmental Psychology framework. Key psychological material will be examined to provide an evidence base upon which to understand psychological ageing. The application of psychology to the understanding of mental (cognitive) functioning and behaviour will be considered to illustrate the unique role that psychology has to play in gerontology. Psychological concepts and measures of memory, psychological well-being, self beliefs or perceptions (e.g., about self-esteem, mastery, control, autonomy, etc), and mood, as they relate to ageing will be explored. Concepts of positive and active ageing, life-long development (within- or intra-individual change), and diversity (inter-individual differences) will be described and a distinction between primary and secondary ageing will be emphasised.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Explain the role of cultural resources in promoting or hindering ageing well
2.
Summarise different representations, and degrees, of successful ageing
3.
Explain primary (normal) age-related changes in cognitive functioning and sense of self
4.
Evaluate ways to assess cognitive functioning in older Australians, including Indigenous Australians
5.
Identify depression and dementia in older adults
6.
Analyse how individual behaviour changes may influence future cohorts of older adults
7.
7. Evaluate the concept of successful ageing and work to achieve successful ageing for yourself and those around you

Assessments

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Requisites information

Pre-requisites:
Anti-requisites:

Assumed knowledge

Familiarity in the use of literature and accessing relevant data bases including OVID Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and any others appropriate to the area of study.