PS349-15 Psychology of Ageing
Introductory description
The module studies the capabilities and psychological functioning of older people.
Module aims
It aims to provide a critical analysis of the methods and theories that have been applied to the study of human ageing; to discuss several aspects of performance, from decline in sensory processes to changes in intellectual functions, including attention, memory and language; and it provides the opportunity to study cognition in an important (but often neglected) section of the population
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
1 Introduction: Definitions, descriptions and demographics
2 Methodological issues
3 Sensory, physiological and motor changes
4 Attention
5 Memory
6 Intelligence
7 Language
8 Theories of ageing
9 Audio/video presentations + feedback on group assignment
10 Abnormal ageing
11 Revision
12 Revision
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a critical appreciation of methodological issues associated with the study of ageing
- describe sensory and intellectual changes that accompany both normal and abnormal ageing
- discuss these changes in relation to current theories and debate in cognitive ageing
Indicative reading list
Birren, J. E., & Schaie, K. W. (Eds.). (1996, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2015). Handbook of the psychology
of aging (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th eds.). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Cavanagh, J. C., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2011). Adult development and aging (6th ed.). Belmont,
CA: Wadsworth.
Craik, F. I. M., & Salthouse, T. A. (Eds.). (2000, 2008). The handbook of aging and cognition (2nd
and 3rd eds.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum/Psychology Press.
Erber, J. T. (2013). Aging and older adulthood (3rd ed.). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Park, D. C., & Schwarz, N. (Eds.). (2007). Cognitive aging: A primer (2nd ed.). Hove, East Sussex:
Psychology Press.
Perfect, T. J., & Maylor, E. A. (Eds.). (2000). Models of cognitive aging. Oxford, England: Oxford
University Press.
Rabbitt, P. (2015). The aging mind: An owner’s manual. Hove, East Sussex: Routledge.
Salthouse, T. A. (1991). Theoretical perspectives on cognitive aging. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Salthouse, T. A. (2010). Major issues in cognitive aging. New York: Oxford University Press. Stuart-Hamilton, I. (2012). The psychology of ageing: An introduction (5th ed.). London: Jessica Kingsley.
Stuart-Hamilton, I. (2012). The psychology of ageing: An introduction (5th ed.). London: Jessica Kingsley.
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
- critical appreciation of methodological issues associated with the study of ageing
- understanding of the sensory and intellectual changes that accompany both normal and abnormal ageing
- understanding of current theories and debate in cognitive ageing
- evaluation of psychological theory and research
Transferable skills
- effective communication skills to develop a cogent argument supported by relevant evidence and being sensitive to the needs and expectations of an audience;
- familiarity with collecting and organising stored information found in library book and journal collections, and online, critically evaluating primary and secondary sources;
- effective personal planning, and team working skills
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 sessions of 2 hours (16%) |
| Seminars | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 116 hours (77%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
116 hours guided student study
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group D2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessed work | 33% | Yes (extension) | |
|
The title and abstract for Paper A will be produced in groups for formative assessment.The titles and abstracts for Papers B and C will be produced individually for summative assessment (33%). Everyone taking the module must participate in the group assessment otherwise a mark of zero will be awarded for the individual assessment. |
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| Online Examination | 67% | No | |
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Feedback on assessment
Assessed via annotated copy and academic guidance form; exam performance via personal \r\ntutor or online.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 1 of TPSS-C8P9 Postgraduate Taught Psychological Research
- Year 3 of UPSA-C800 Undergraduate Psychology
- Year 4 of UPSA-C801 Undergraduate Psychology (with Intercalated year)
- Year 3 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 3 of UPHA-VL78 BA in Philosophy with Psychology
- Year 4 of UPHA-VL79 BA in Philosophy with Psychology (with Intercalated year)
- Year 1 of TPSS-C8P9 Postgraduate Taught Psychological Research
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics