Lesson 7: Middle to Late Adulthood
As you continue your journey through adulthood, apply your learning to yourself AND those around you. In what ways do you and others around you fit what we know about ‘normal’ development? In what ways may these experiences of life not quite fit within ‘normal’ and how could our various current theories account for those differences?
Late adulthoodfocuses on retirement from career commitments and letting go of family control as children get married and have children of their own. There is also a great focus on physical changes, including changes in health, stamina, ability to care for oneself, and facing an uncertain future. Late adulthood has wonderful pieces to it. In fact, many older adults tend to rate themselves as very happy.Late adulthood brings hardships as well. Some example questions to think about include: How and in which ways does intelligence decrease? How are decisions made (and who makes them) regarding nursing home or care by family? How should STD’s in the nursing home be handled? (You may have a sour look upon your face like most of my students do when I present this information in the traditional classroom—but, yes, this is a very real issue!)
Assignments for Lesson 7:
- Textbook readings: Chapters 14, 15, 16. Read… Test Yourself… and of course take notes!
- Use the attached PowerPoint presentationforan outline in your learning of the great information included in this lesson!
- Psychological and Developmental Disorders Discussion Board: ONE posting and two responses to peer postings. (25 points)
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to investigate psychological and developmental disorders and the implications on lifespan development. You will first complete your posting and second complete at least two responses to your classmates.
Directions:FIRST: YOUR POSTING (You have ONE posting that is three large paragraphs long):(15 points)
This Discussion Board will open on Wed., Nov. 30th. Your POSTING is due by Wed., Dec. 7th at 11:59pm… Your TWO RESPONSES can be completed during this week too—however are not due until Fri., Dec. 9that 11:59pm to give enough time to read and learn from all of the great postings!
Go to:https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
1) Choose one psychological/neurodevelopmental disorder listed under “Healthtopics” on the right/middle of the screen. In your own words, describe the disorder you choose in one large paragraph.*The ‘suicide prevention’ tab is not a disorder, so please do not choose that one. If there is a disorder not listed but that you are interested in researching, please email me. Try to choose a disorder you don’t know anything about! ?
2) And the (more) FUN part… Based on your understanding above and your learning in chapters 10-13, discuss how this disorder/symptoms could potentially interrupt normal development! This takes reading, re-reading, and brainstorming on your part!
It should be clear that you understand the course concepts included.You should identify and explain at least 4 concepts from Chapter 10, 11, 12 and/or 13 in your explanation.Be specific– Identify (bold/highlight your concepts for your classmates to see) and then explain. There are many, many things that you could include here—but this is your chance to think it all through and decide! (two large paragraphs)
**You should cite your textbook page number by each concept (no specific formatting needed; simply “(p.123)” would be sufficient). You do not need to include full citations at the end of your assignment ONLY because you are only using your textbook and this one, specific NIMH website for this assignment.
*You will need to post (label your post as your chosen disorder) before you can see any other posts on this discussion board.
*Please note that this is not a personal account or opinion, but a professionally explained, scientific explanation. Choose a topic NOT personal to you; choose a topic that you know nothing or almost nothing about!
*This assignment must be your own—it isimpossible that you would have the same topic and set of course applications as anyone else.
SECOND: YOUR RESPONSES (You have TWO!): (10 points)
You should respond to at least TWO other classmate’s postings.Each response should demonstrate in-depth, specific thoughts and/or insights to your classmate’s posting, and be roughly one paragraph. You may even ask further questions that you have thought of based on the posting, your developmental learning, or your own exploration.
- The Aging Assignment: This assignment is due by Tues., Dec. 13that 11:59pm in the appropriate Assignment folder.(35 points)
Using only your textbook chapters/course notes (and specific website/links for #4 and #5), answer the following questions fully and accurately. Be sure to use your own words without simply copying book explanations. I want to see what YOU have learned! ?
- Explain brain/neuronal changes in later adulthood, assuming healthy aging (the absence of disease). Be specific. What are the implications of this? That is, how do neuronal changes matter for the daily life of the older adult?
(1-2 paragraphs)
- Discuss the intelligence andmemory capabilities of a typical, healthy 50- year-old person (think ‘middle adulthood’ for this one)as compared to a typical, healthy80-year-old.
*Be sure to include specific types of intelligence and memory, addressing specific changes from time 1 (about 50 years old/middle adulthood) to time 2 (about 80 years old). You will need to use multiple adulthood chapters for this.
(2big paragraphs)
- What are they keys to a happy life in later adulthood? What advice would you give an older adult for successful psychological aging and well-being?Be specific, according to your course learning.
(1-2 paragraphs)
- What is dementia and how might it disrupt normal aging? Use your textbook and the Alzheimer’s Associationalz.org to 1) define dementia, 2) identify and describe the most common type of dementia, and 3) brainstorm/explain 2 ways that everyday life for an older adult with dementia may look different from what you would expect with normal aging.
(1 big paragraph)
- Chooseoneof the articles from below to summarize.(1 big paragraph)
https://neurosciencenews.com/alzheimers-behavioral-test-21526/
https://neurosciencenews.com/genetics-dementia-lifestyle-20668/
*Onlyspecific sources (including your textbook, course notes, alz.org, and article links above) are to be used for understanding in this assignment, and thus no citations are needed.
- Quizzes: Chapters 14, Chapter 15,andChapter 16… are all due by Wed., Dec. 14th at 11:59pm.Be sure to schedule yourself enough time to complete your quizzes well! Your quiz with the lowest score during the semester will be dropped during final grading. You can also choose to not take a quiz—and that “0” will be your dropped quiz for the semester. J
Click on the ‘Quizzes’ linkand click on the appropriate chapter quiz. Quizzes will be in the same format (e.g., three attempts) as previous quizzes. Only your highest score will go into the Gradebook.
- Discussion Board: (10 points)
Post a final reflection: Please share what areas of development you found most interesting and why.The final posting should be completed after you have completed all of you work in Lesson 7—and thus the very last thing that you complete for this course!This discussion will be open from Mon., Dec. 5ththrough Wed., Dec. 14that 11:59pm.
You have reached the end of Lesson 7 and the end of this course!
