Ch 2: Political & Ethical Issues in Studying Gerontology
About This Chapter
Political & Ethical Issues in Studying Gerontology - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
The experience of aging is not exactly the same for each individual, and many forces affect that process. In this chapter, our instructors will explain the various forces and influences that play a part in aging. You will also be introduced to some differences of opinion in the scientific community related to adult development and aging. This chapter is designed to teach you:
- The various forces that affect adult development
- Examples of aging's developmental effects
- How culture and ethnicity might affect the aging process
- The basis of the differences of opinion related to the study of aging
| Video | Objectives |
|---|---|
| The Forces of Adult Development: Biological, Psychological, Sociocultural & Life-cycle | Identify and describe four main forces that shape development, including biological, psychological, sociocultural and life-cycle forces. Provide some examples of those forces of development. |
| The Developmental Influences of Aging: Definition & Examples | Define and describe normative age-graded influences, normative history-graded influences and non-normative influences on aging. |
| Cultural & Ethnic Influences on Aging | Discuss how culture and ethnicity can influence aging. |
| Controversies Surrounding the Study of Adult Development and Aging | Define and discuss nature vs. nurture, stability vs. change, continuity vs. discontinuity, and universal vs. context-specific development theories. |
1. The Forces of Adult Development: Biological, Psychological, Sociocultural & Life-cycle
This lesson will briefly cover the four main forces that work together to influence a person's development from childhood through adulthood: biological, psychological, sociocultural, and life-cycle.
2. The Developmental Influences of Aging: Definition & Examples
This lesson will explore the developmental influences put on a person based on the culture's expectations, the world they live in, and the bizarre occurrences that happen in some people's lives.
3. Cultural & Ethnic Influences on Aging
In this lesson, we will explore a handful of aging processes that are different when a researcher compares them by ethnicity. This includes the changes in skin, health, and religion.
4. Controversies Surrounding the Study of Adult Development and Aging
Controversies have developed over a difference in opinion about certain aspects of development. This lesson explores some of the controversies in developmental psychology, as well as providing possible answers to resolve them.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Gerontology for Teachers: Professional Development course
- Introduction to Gerontology
- Research Methods & the Study of Gerontology
- Conducting Ethical Research When Studying Gerontology
- The Demography of Aging
- The Health of Older Adults
- Chronic Conditions of the Aging Population
- The Brain & Nervous System in Older Adults
- The Aging Muscle, Skeletal, and Integumentary Systems
- The Aging Sensory System
- The Aging Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
- The Aging Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
- Attention and Memory of the Aging Population
- The Cognitive Development of Older Adults
- Intelligence, Creativity, & Wisdom in Older Adults
- Mental Health & Lifespan Development Disorders in Older Adults
- Measures of Well-Being in Aging Populations
- Clinical Assessment in Psychology
- Anxiety Disorders Related to Aging
- Substance Use Disorders & Aging Populations
- Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults
- Personality & Older Adulthood
- Mood and Stress Disorders
- Treatment Methods for Psychological Disorders in Adults
- Aging in Society: Social Implications for Older Adults
- Interpersonal Relationships of Older Adults
- The Economics of Aging
- Work in Late Adulthood
- Work, Leisure & Community Involvement in Retirement
- Politics and Policy for Older Adults
- Dying and Bereavement in Older Adults
