Course Description
The student will investigate the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial factors from early adulthood through old age. Topics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, culture; career choice and development; mate selection and marriage; conventional and nonconventional families; theories of adult personality development; mid- and late-life transitions; aging; and dying, death and bereavement are included.
IAI Number
S6-905
IAI Title
Adulthood and Aging
Topical Outline
- Defining aging and gerontology
- Studying gerontology and research methods
- Theories of aging and development
- Physical changes and physical health
- Emotional health and mental health
- Cognitive changes and development: Intelligence & memory
- Social theories of aging
- Personality development
- Social Supports, personal relationships, marriage and family
- Informal and family caregiving
- Elder mistreatment
- Leisure, spirituality, civic engagement
- Employment and retirement
- Policies to promote well-being: Social Security, medicare and medicaid
- Living Arrangements and housing options
- Cultural views of dying, funerals and rituals
- Kubler-Ross stages of dying
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain major biological and psychological changes that occur in early, middle, and late adulthood.
- Explain different research methods used to study adults, as well as the limitations of testing methods in late adulthood.
- Identify physical and mental health concerns, as well as clinical disorders, that are of special concern for young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults.
- Explain the nature and trajectory of cognitive changes across adulthood in the areas of intelligence, memory, attention, and social cognition.
- Explain the nature and trajectory of social changes across adulthood in the areas of personality, interpersonal relationships, and workplace/retirement concerns.