HC1 Introduction
Examination:
- 80% online exam: 10 open ended essay questions
- 20% written assignment:
o individually interview older person (60+), can be grandparents
o consent forms have to be filled out
o subject: experience of aging
▪ how does this individual experience aging
▪ what are important topics in their life?
• eg: corona crisis
▪ explore one positive and one negative aspect of living:
• +: wisdom, more time for …, grandchildren, changes in
personality/coping
• -: physical, cognitive or social changes, e.g. loneliness, memory
problems, illness
• what are important thoughts, emotions and behavior related to the
profits/gains and losses/challenges
o eg: I feel lonely, which makes me sad now and then – I think
I’m too old for new friends – I mainly stay at home
o report of max. 5 pages, relate theories and info of this course to the experiences of
your conversational partner
o deadline: June 15th
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Introduction into adult development
Development never stops.
Age blocks:
• Childhood (0-15)
• Young adulthood (15-30): relatively few responsibilities for others, study, first job
• Midlife (30-60): family, work and caring for others (family, work, kids, parents)
• Active old age (60-80): period of freedom in relatively good health
• intense care (80+): period of (often) physical and/or mental decline and increase of
dependency on others
There are much more inter-individual differences in old age than in younger age.
Stability vs change
Continuity theory (Atchley, 1989)
The majority of older adults show relative consistency in personality traits (not 100%), attachment
and relationships and beliefs, traditions, interests and activities, despite their changing physical,
mental and social status.
, Sources of change:
Example for normative history related influences: Millennials (born 1981-2000) stay at home way
longer than other age groups, this might have to do with the financial crisis of 2008.
2 important approaches on adult development:
1. life-span developmental psychology approach
o development is a lifelong process
o combination of gains and losses
o developmental stages
o SOC model
2. bioecological model of development
o crucial role of the environment
o self-determination theory
➔ Both influence well-being of older adults
Developmental stages (Erikson):
Young adulthood (intimacy vs isolation): goal is to
achieve virtue of love, balance between intimacy and
isolation.
Middle adulthood (generativity vs stagnation): goal is to
teach something to others & care for younger generation
(eg own kids, collegues). Virtue of care is achieved.
Maturity (ego integrity vs despair): goal is to achieve
wisdom, by reflecting on life (how did I do? Did I achieve
what I wanted?)
Examination:
- 80% online exam: 10 open ended essay questions
- 20% written assignment:
o individually interview older person (60+), can be grandparents
o consent forms have to be filled out
o subject: experience of aging
▪ how does this individual experience aging
▪ what are important topics in their life?
• eg: corona crisis
▪ explore one positive and one negative aspect of living:
• +: wisdom, more time for …, grandchildren, changes in
personality/coping
• -: physical, cognitive or social changes, e.g. loneliness, memory
problems, illness
• what are important thoughts, emotions and behavior related to the
profits/gains and losses/challenges
o eg: I feel lonely, which makes me sad now and then – I think
I’m too old for new friends – I mainly stay at home
o report of max. 5 pages, relate theories and info of this course to the experiences of
your conversational partner
o deadline: June 15th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction into adult development
Development never stops.
Age blocks:
• Childhood (0-15)
• Young adulthood (15-30): relatively few responsibilities for others, study, first job
• Midlife (30-60): family, work and caring for others (family, work, kids, parents)
• Active old age (60-80): period of freedom in relatively good health
• intense care (80+): period of (often) physical and/or mental decline and increase of
dependency on others
There are much more inter-individual differences in old age than in younger age.
Stability vs change
Continuity theory (Atchley, 1989)
The majority of older adults show relative consistency in personality traits (not 100%), attachment
and relationships and beliefs, traditions, interests and activities, despite their changing physical,
mental and social status.
, Sources of change:
Example for normative history related influences: Millennials (born 1981-2000) stay at home way
longer than other age groups, this might have to do with the financial crisis of 2008.
2 important approaches on adult development:
1. life-span developmental psychology approach
o development is a lifelong process
o combination of gains and losses
o developmental stages
o SOC model
2. bioecological model of development
o crucial role of the environment
o self-determination theory
➔ Both influence well-being of older adults
Developmental stages (Erikson):
Young adulthood (intimacy vs isolation): goal is to
achieve virtue of love, balance between intimacy and
isolation.
Middle adulthood (generativity vs stagnation): goal is to
teach something to others & care for younger generation
(eg own kids, collegues). Virtue of care is achieved.
Maturity (ego integrity vs despair): goal is to achieve
wisdom, by reflecting on life (how did I do? Did I achieve
what I wanted?)
