PS503-6-AU-KS:
Ageing: Mind, Brain, and Behaviour
2023/24
Psychology
Kaplan Singapore
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
14 November 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC C800JS Psychology,
BSC C800NS Psychology
This module covers three major themes in the psychology of ageing; mind, brain, and behaviour. The mind theme introduces cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of ageing. We consider decision making in older age, how older adults interact with their social environment, and how emotional processing changes with age.
The brain theme introduces neurological changes that occur with age and how these affect memory and attention and other aspects of cognition and emotion. Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, are also explored. The behaviour theme focuses on the physiology of ageing and introduces students to applied topics.
The aims of this module are:
- To cover the three broad themes in the psychology of ageing: mind, brain, and behaviour.
- To familiarise students with interdisciplinary aspects of psychology within the context of ageing.
- To encourage students to think critically about how behaviours, attitudes, and emotions are affected by underlying cognitive and physiological changes that occur with age.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Reflect on themes and issues from class in relation to a famous older person or befriended older person for the essay coursework assessment.
- Acquire an understanding of key issues and concepts in the psychology of ageing, demonstrated in the vodcast and essay coursework.
- Develop critical thinking skills in evaluating methodological approaches and theoretical accounts of the psychology and ageing, and demonstrate these skills and knowledge in the vodcast and essay coursework.
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered via:
- One 2-hour session per week.
Each session will integrate seminar-style discussions with a lecture format. Issues and points raised in the lecture will be discussed during the discussion activities and student participation will be encouraged. This may include discussion groups and other methods of student participation tailored to group size.
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Cavanagh, J. and Blanchard-Fields, F. (2019) ‘Studying adult development and aging’, in
Adult development and aging. Eighth edition. Boston, MA: Cengage, pp. 1–29. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/281570.
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Loaiza, V.M. and Oberauer, K. (2016) ‘Working memory in older age’, in
Encyclopedia of geropsychology. Singapore: Springer. Available at:
https://link-springer-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/referencework/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3.
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Hofer, S.M. and Alwin, D.F. (2008)
Handbook of cognitive aging: interdisciplinary perspectives. London: SAGE. Available at:
https://sk.sagepub.com/reference/hdbk_cognativeaging.
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Hötting, K. and Röder, B. (2013) ‘Beneficial effects of physical exercise on neuroplasticity and cognition’,
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(9), pp. 2243–2257. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.04.005.
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Salthouse, T.A. (2006) ‘Mental Exercise and Mental Aging. Evaluating the Validity of the “Use It or Lose It” Hypothesis’,
Perspectives on Psychological Science, 1(1), pp. 68–87. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6916.2006.00005.x.
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Charles, S.T. and Carstensen, L.L. (2010) ‘Social and Emotional Aging’,
Annual Review of Psychology, 61(1), pp. 383–409. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100448.
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Paul W. Foos and M. Cherie Clark (2008)
Human aging. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315665092.
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Park, D.C. and Reuter-Lorenz, P. (2009) ‘The Adaptive Brain: Aging and Neurocognitive Scaffolding’,
Annual Review of Psychology, 60(1), pp. 173–196. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093656.
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Rolison, J.J., Wood, S. and Hanoch, Y. (2017) ‘Age and Adaptation: Stronger Decision Updating about Real World Risks in Older Age’,
Risk Analysis, 37(9), pp. 1632–1643. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=125084260&site=ehost-live.
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Yankner, B.A., Lu, T. and Loerch, P. (2008) ‘The Aging Brain’,
Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease, 3(1), pp. 41–66. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pathmechdis.2.010506.092044.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Exam |
Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 120 minutes during January
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Jonathan Rolison, email: jrolison@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Alex Sel, email: alex.sel@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Johnathan Rolison and Dr Alex Sel
Dr Rolison: jrolison@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Psychology
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