scholarly journals What Do Introduction to Psychology Textbooks Have to Say About Older Adults?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 759-759
Author(s):  
Zoe Hancock ◽  
Matthew Wynn ◽  
Brian Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Relative Frequency ◽  
Introductory Psychology ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
Psychology Majors ◽  
Specific Index ◽  
Index Terms

Abstract Introduction to Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate courses, an entry course for psychology majors and also popular with students from other disciplines. Consequently, the content in introductory psychology textbooks has the potential to influence undergraduates’ knowledge, attitudes, and interests, including those related to aging. The purpose of this study was to analyze aging-related content in introductory psychology textbooks to understand the topics to which students are exposed in this important course. We analyzed the indices of 21 best-selling Introduction to Psychology textbooks for both advanced and intermediate audiences, published between 2018 and 2020. We extracted and aggregated 275 unique, aging-specific index terms from the textbooks and analyzed their relative frequency. We identified 61 superordinate index terms corresponding to general terms (e.g., “aging,” “death”). The indices also included 214 unique subordinate terms that were more specific (e.g., “aging, and cognition”). Across textbooks, the most frequent topics reflected negative consequences of aging (e.g., “Alzheimer disease” = appeared in 100% of textbooks, “death” in 52%). In contrast, positive aspects of aging appeared less often (e.g., “generativity” in 47%, “longevity” in 10%). Terms describing career opportunities were rare (e.g., “gerontology” in 5%, “geropsychology” in 5%), as were modern theories (e.g., “socioemotional selectivity theory” in 28%). Advocacy for comprehensive and balanced representation of aging in introductory psychology textbooks is critical for educating students and promoting interest in the field.

Before I Die

GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiao Chu ◽  
Daniel Grühn ◽  
Ashley M. Holland
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Psychosocial Development ◽  
Time Horizon ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Time Horizons

Abstract. We investigated the effects of time horizon and age on the socioemotional motives underlying individual’s bucket-list goals. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three time-horizon conditions to make a bucket list: (1) an open-ended time horizon (Study 1 & 2), (2) a 6-month horizon (i.e., “Imagine you have 6 months to live”; Study 1 & 2), and (3) a 1-week horizon (Study 2). Goal motives were coded based on socioemotional selectivity theory and psychosocial development theory. Results indicated that time horizon and age produced unique effects on bucket-list goal motives. Extending past findings on people’s motives considering the end of life, the findings suggest that different time horizons and life stages trigger different motives.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Adaptations to the Call for Social Distancing and Use of Technology: Insights From Socioemotional Selectivity Theory and Lived Experiences

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199686
Author(s):  
Shoshana H. Bardach ◽  
Elizabeth K. Rhodus ◽  
Kelly Parsons ◽  
Allison K. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Technology Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Comparison Approach

Social distancing guidelines during COVID can be isolating, especially for older adults, with potential for poor health outcomes. Technology offers opportunities for remote connection, yet, older adults’ use of and perspectives on technology during this time remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into older adults’ technology use and preferences to inform the development of a technology training intervention to support older adult well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 older adults. Interviews were analyzed using an iterative, constant comparison approach. Findings were consistent with Socioemotional Selectivity Theory; respondents were primarily interested in technology to support emotionally meaningful goals. Participants indicated limited interest in technology training, referencing diminished future time perspectives to explain disinterest. Findings suggest that efforts to encourage older adults’ expanded technology adoption should highlight how use supports emotionally meaningful goals and provide low-effort, timely training, tied to specific and clear applications.

scholarly journals HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT IN CONFLICT CONDITIONS: EVOLUTION FROM KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY TO UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY

2020 ◽  
pp. 32-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serhii Terepyshchyi ◽  
Glib Khomenko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Education Development ◽  
Higher Education Development ◽  
State Institutions ◽  
General Terms

Peacebuilding in society is impossible without generating and implementing an effective higher education development strategy. Education representing the ideological and value principles of humanism, democracy, tolerance, dialogue is a powerful tool in the consolidation of a conflict society, its gradual transformation into a society of understanding. In this regard, the role of the teacher in peacebuilding cannot be overestimated. Unfortunately, most politicians prefer to finance short-term projects where certain material benefit can be obtained in a minimum period of time. This is probably one of the major strategic mistakes that can cause extremely negative consequences. In general terms, peace can be compared with a kind of humanitarian deposit that is long-term oriented. Its main dividend is the stable development of a society in which the confidence of individual citizens in each other acts as a metaphorical interest rate. That is, the greater the social trust within society, the greater the likelihood that war will not affect the territorial integrity of a particular state. The level of trust implies the support of state institutions of power from the side of ordinary citizens, as well as interpersonal trust in matters of religion, ethnic and valuebased differences. Universities should increase the level of trust within society, thus advocating as a means of conflict prevention acording to optimistic scenario or social rehabilitation acording to pesimictic scenario. However, public investment in its development should be steadily increased beside grant financial infusions.

Preparing Undergraduate Psychology Students for Careers in Business

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo J. Carducci ◽  
William C. Deeds ◽  
John W. Jones ◽  
Donald M. Moretti ◽  
Jeffrey G. Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Psychology Students ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
Psychology Majors ◽  
Undergraduate Psychology ◽  
And Training

As a means of increasing their career opportunities, psychology majors can prepare themselves for business careers in areas such as marketing, human resources administration, and training and development. This article identifies some important skills for psychologists working in the business field and describes educational programs and curricular strategies for acquiring those skills.

3. The psychology of ageing

2016 ◽  
pp. 45-65
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
Disengagement Theory ◽  
Study Designs

Psychological theories of ageing encompass mental health and emotional well-being as well as changes in these states, at individual as well as interpersonal levels, associated with increasing age. ‘The psychology of ageing’ reviews different ways of studying changes in functioning: cross-sectional, longitudinal, and sequential study designs; the varying psychological theories of ageing, including the disengagement theory, activity theory, continuity theory, socioemotional selectivity theory, convoy theory, and social identity theory; and the cognitive aspects of ageing, including changes in thinking and behaviour as a result of both primary and secondary ageing. It also considers how personality and emotions are expressed in later life and the treatment of mental disorders.

Emotional Control in Adulthood

1997 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 499-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Tahmaseb McConatha ◽  
Frances Marshall Leone ◽  
Jill M. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Emotional Control ◽  
Emotional Intensity ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Age And Sex

Although it is widely believed that emotions vary with age, there is a dearth of information on emotional experiences in later adulthood. Several researchers think that older adults experience less emotional intensity than younger people while others have suggested that aging is accompanied by a decrease in positive affect and an increase in negative emotions. Sex similarities and differences in emotionality have also been documented. This study focuses on age and sex similarities and differences in emotional control. Three hundred and twenty seven men and women aged 19 to 92 years were administered two emotion measures. The results support previous research which suggests that the control of emotions increases with age. In evaluating sex differences in emotional control, women scored as more emotionally expressive than men, a finding which is consistent with previous research. Results are discussed in relation to socioemotional selectivity theory.

Keeping the Peace in Africa: Why “African” Solutions Are Not Enough

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Conflict Management ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Post Cold War ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Conflict In Africa ◽  
Constituent Elements

Since the early 1990s, a variety of African and Western governments alike have often suggested that finding “African solutions to African problems” represents the best approach to keeping the peace in Africa. Not only does the empirical evidence from post-Cold War Africa suggest that there are some fundamental problems with this approach, it also rests upon some problematic normative commitments. Specifically in relation to the problem of armed conflict, the “African solutions” logic would have at least three negative consequences: it would undermine the UN; it would provide a convenient excuse for powerful Western states that wished to avoid sending their own soldiers to peace operations in Africa; and it would help African autocrats fend off international, especially Western, criticism of their policies. After providing an overview of the constituent elements of the “African solutions” approach, this article sets out in general terms the central problems with it before turning to a specific illustration of how these problems affected the international responses to the ongoing war in Darfur, Sudan. Instead of searching for “African solutions”, policymakers should focus on developing effective solutions for the complex challenges raised by the issue of armed conflict in Africa. To this end, Western states in general and the P-3 in particular should give greater support to conflict management activities undertaken by the United Nations, develop clearer guidelines for how these should relate to regional initiatives, and facilitate the efforts of civic associations to build the foundations for stable peace in the continent's war zones.

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