AGES8022 Psychological Dimensions of Ageing

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 national and international psychological research evidence will be examined and the application of psychology to the understanding of mental functioning and behaviour will be considered. Psychological concepts and measures of well-being, life satisfaction, mood, self esteem, mastery and autonomy as they relate to ageing will be explored. Concepts of positive and active ageing will be described and a distinction between primary and secondary ageing will be emphasised throughout. Successful and pathological forms of psychological ageing will also be considered; selected topics will touch on ageing among CALD groups and Indigenous Australians.

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.

1. Identify, explain and critically evaluate issues in human ageing based upon elements of diversity and ageing from a psychological perspective
2. Identify, explain and critically evaluate the role of 'cultural resources' in promoting or hindering ageing well
3. Identify, explain and critically evaluate different representations, and degrees, of successful ageing
4. Identify, explain and critically evaluate primary (normal) age-related changes in cognitive functioning and sense of self
5. Identify, explain and critically evaluate ways to assess cognitive functioning in older Australians, including Indigenous Australians
6. Identify, explain and critically evaluate depression and dementia in older adults
7. Identify, explain and critically evaluate how individual behaviour changes may influence future cohorts of older adults
8. Identify, explain and critically evaluate the concept of "successful ageing" and work to achieve successful ageing for yourself and those around you
9. Independently identify and generate resource materials on psychological ageing
10. Appreciate the diverse range of methodologies that psychologists use to understand ageing
11. Recognise that ageing is a process and that it has many unique representations at the individual level
12. Appreciate the positive aspects of ageing
13. Reduce any pre-existing ageist attitudes