Human Aging (2e)

This text offers a readable and friendly presentation of the important methods, findings, and theories of human aging, while actively involving the reader in meaningful exercises and critical thinking.

Students are repeatedly challenged to apply information in the text to the older adults in their own lives. Specifically, suggestions for enhancing the lives of their older relatives are offered and encouraged. These include guidelines for discussions they might have regarding social, emotional, and environmental changes as well encouraging intellectual and social interaction. While presenting the latest in research findings, the authors have also strived to keep research interesting for students who may not see themselves as researchers. The new edition is available with MyDevelopmentKit, a premium online resource with Audio Senior Views conversations with older adults talking about their own experiences that relate to the content of the textbook, as well as online quizzes and other multimedia tools that enrich the textbook content.

            Why Study Human Aging? 

            The Study of Aging. 

            Who is Aging/Who is Old?    

            Stereotypes. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources

2          Research Methods and Issues

            Guiding Principles and Issues. 

            Theory. 

            Research Methods. 

            Ethics.  

            Highlights,  Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources

Part I:  Aging and Our Bodies

3          Physical Aspects of Aging

            Individual Differences. 

            Changes in Physical Appearance. 

            Internal Changes.    

            Chronic Conditions. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

4          Theories of Senescence and Aging

            An Overview. 

            Programmed Theories. 

            A Middle Category.

            Unprogrammed Theories. 

            All of the Above. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet     Resources.

5.         Health and Longevity

            Overview. 

            Factors Beyond Our Control. 

            Factors Within Our Control. 

            Other Factors. 

            Social Factors. 

            Quality of Life. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

Part II:  Aging and Our Minds

6          Sensation, Perception, and Slowing with Age

            Sensation and Perception. 

            Slowing. 

            Falls. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

7          Memory and Cognition

            An Overview of Memory Processing. 

            Memory and Aging. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

8          Intelligence, Wisdom, and Creativity

            Intelligence. 

            Expertise. 

            Wisdom. 

            Creativity. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

Part III:  Aging and Our Selves

9          Personality and Coping

            An Overview of Personality. 

            Traits. 

            Personal Concerns.     

            Coping. 

            Identity.     

            Personality, Health, and Well-Being. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

10        Relationships

            Social Relations Across the Life Span. 

            Social Support. 

            Family Relationships. 

            Friends. 

            Religion and Spirituality. 

            Isolation and Loneliness. 

            Highlights,  Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

11        Work and Retirement

            Work. 

            Retirement. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

Part IV:  Aging and Our Survival

12        Psychopathology

            Overview. 

            Alcohol Abuse. 

            Depression. 

            Acute Cognitive Disorders. 

            Dementia.          

            Caregiving. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

13        Healthy/Helpful Environments

            Spaces and Places. 

            Person Environment Congruence. 

            Where We Live in Old Age. 

            Community Based Long-Term Care. 

            Retirement Communities and Assisted Living. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

14        Death and Bereavement

            Death. 

            Bereavement. 

            Support. 

            Highlights, Questions, Readings, and Internet   Resources.

Part V:  Aging and You

15        Looking to the Future

            Principles and Issues. 

            Aging and Well-Being. 

            The Future. 

            Highlights,  Questions, Readings, and Internet Resources.

References

Name Index

Subject Index

• MyDevelopmentKit, a new online premium resource,  features “Audio Senior Views”, audio interviews with a diverse group of adults that help reinforce the main topics in each chapter, while infusing the material with the human element that is often lacking in textbooks.
• New and Updated chapter on Research Methods and Issues to stress issues of critical thinking in the classroom.
• Instructor’s Manual and Test Bank updated to give the instructor an interactive and comprehensive approach to teaching human aging.
• Chapter Opening “Senior Views” that reflect real world experiences of older adults and research application have been updated for each chapter to tie in the concepts presented within each chapter to students’ lives.
• Social Policy boxes bring students into a discussion of current issues that effect a growing older population and their future experience of human aging.

• The authors emphasize the science of the study of aging, and emphasize why the questions in aging are difficult to answer, how social scientists attempt to handle such difficulties, and the successes and failures social scientists have had thus far in answering those questions.
• At the same time, the authors show how current research findings are now being applied in the real world and/or how they might be applied in the future.
• The authors have tried to include crosscultural comparison and ethnic group comparisons wherever possible.
• Each chapter begins with “Senior View,” which introduces students to a real person and gives them a chance to hear what older adults think and say about important issues related to the chapter and a chance to compare those opinions to the research findings.
• Each chapter ends with “Making Choices,” emphasizing the important behavioral, emotional, and social choices that students can make now to prolong a healthy, happy life.
• “Chapter Projects” offer the opportunity for active learning, as students investigate for themselves an issue related to the chapter. Instructors can expand these projects for students who want to learn more, or for independent study.
• “Focus on Aging” boxes compliment the material in the text, providing additional insight and examples, and encouraging critical thinking.
• Every chapter includes discussion questions, study questions, chapter exercises, and related Web sites.
• MyDevelopmentKit (www.mydevelopmentkit.com) offers Audio Senior Views, taped interviews with older adults who recount their own experiences to enhance the learning experience for students, who may never have an opportunity to interact with older adults other than close relatives. MyDevelopmentLab also provides access to online quizzes, research tools, and other multimedia resources that complement the textbook content.