SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY TODAY

An Introduction

Chapter 6: Personality, Adult Development and Cognition - Study Questions

1. Discuss the statement: "Continuity of the self is thus not agelessness but a dynamic tension between change and constancy of the self."

2. What is the relevance (if any) of knowing about the theories of childhood development when one is interested in adult development and socialization of the older adult?

3. Do theories of human development change? Substantiate your positions from information presented in chapters 1 through 6.

4. To what extent are the theories proposed by Jung, Erikson and Levinson affected by the social class and the birth cohorts they studied? Are they applicable to minority groups?

5. Are androgynous people more socially skilled than people who are gender stereotyped? Explain.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the media and popular press influences on age-appropriate behavior in adult socialization?

7. Does memory decline in normal aging? Explain.

8. Discuss how memory can be enhanced at any age.

9. How do occupation and socioeconomic class position affect the potential rate of cognitive intellectual decline?

10. Are there any shortcomings to the psychometric approach in studying intellectual changes with aging? Explain.

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