Assignment Details
Longevity charts show that more people are living longer. Why?
This assignment has two parts that ask you to describe information, observations, and experiences from previous units and then make your own conclusions about aging - how we grow old and whether we can alter our own aging process.
Part 1: Create two charts that indicate 3 changes that are part of the aging process. Chart 1 lists physical changes. Chart 2 lists psychological changes. On each chart indicate how (or if) each change is influenced or determined by heredity (genetics), environment (life style, diseases, nutrition, etc.), and culture.
Chart 1: Physical changes - What are physical changes involved with aging? Include in your chart whether or not these changes are influenced by genetics, environment, and/or culture according to academic resources and research. For example, muscle development is influenced by genetics and environment. Do not discuss how yet.
Chart 2: Psychological changes - What are some psychological issues involved with aging. Social issues can also be covered in this section. Are these influenced by genetics, environment, and/or culture according to academic resources and research? Do not discuss how yet.
CHART 1: PHYSICAL CHANGES
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Physical Changes
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Genetics (heredity)
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Environment (lifestyle, disease, etc.)
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Culture
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CHART 2: PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES
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Psychological Changes (include emotional, intellectual, personality, etc.)
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Genetics (heredity)
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Environment (lifestyle, disease, etc.)
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Culture
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Part 2: In 3-4 pages, you will discuss examples of the interaction of heredity, environment, and culture on aging. Refer to specific examples from your two charts. From the information presented on your charts in your discussion, describe what aspects of aging might be changed, altered, slowed down, or even eliminated. Include your own observations, opinions, and speculations. Your assignment will include the following parts:
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- Title Page: A clean and simple list including assignment title, student's name, course name and number, date, and instructor's name
- Introduction: Define and describe aging. How do we change, physically and psychologically, as we grow older?
- Discusses the interaction between heredity, environment, and culture on aging. Discuss each of the physical changes and explain howthese issues interactto influence the change. For example, muscle development is influenced by genetics and environment.
- Discusses the interaction between heredity, environment, and culture on aging. Discuss each of the psychological changes and explain howthese issues interactto influence the change. For example, depression is influenced by genetics, the environment, and possibly culture.
- Discusses how longevity has changed from the first decade of the 20th Century to the last decade. How have genetics, environment and/or culture changed over the last century? Use research from the course, text, or other sources to discuss this.
- Discusses people's attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles in relation to longevity, including whether or not professionals can influence change in this area. We have discussed genetics, environment, and culture. Now, how do people's attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyle choices influence longevity? In addition, how can the professional influence these areas?
- Summarizes (in your conclusion) key physical and psychological changes of growing older in relation to yourself, including a discussion of what the student would do to live longer and stronger. Include your own observations, opinions, and speculations about how you will grow older and how you can age successfully.
- References