Space Cowboys was the film selected for this paper as it will be used to better analyze the aging process and its effects on the aging adult. (Eastwood, 2000). The aging process effects developing humans differently through physical and cognitive development and eventual deterioration, however the psychological and psychosocial effects are much more similar for every aging adult. This paper will explore the aging process on the characters from Space Cowboys, through analysis of Erik Erikson’s eight staged psychosocial theory, Leonard Hayflick’s theories on cell division as associated with aging, and Kubler Ross’s five stages of dying. The aging process is defined best as a systematic deterioration of cells through repetitive division over time. …show more content…
In the film the four astronauts take on the immense challenge of going into space, a feat that only the very best of human specimens are considered. Their desire to complete the mission despite the incredible disadvantages of their age is evidence the characters are engaged with the conflict described in Erikson’s seventh stage. By completing the mission that they were intended to complete in their youth they are not only engaging in this conflict but actively fighting against their stereotyped age …show more content…
Ross’s stages aren’t clearly visible in the scenes following Hawk’s diagnosis, but it is evident that he shows signs at an accelerated rate. When the film narrows back on Hawk after the diagnosis one could determine he is within the bargaining stage (stage 3). This is evident as he is lying under a jet and asks his love interest Sara, what the odds are of them having a relationship. An obvious cry out for anything to better his current situation, as he looks onto her with sad needing eyes. Stage four isn’t personified in the film as it is associated with depression. Stage five is associated with acceptance and this is best expressed when the astronauts successfully launch the mission and Hawk gains closure and purpose through his involvement in such a special
An individual’s personality and character structure portrays a major reflection of how they age. Personality style and character structure both incorporate the conscious and unconscious motivational, cognitive and affective mental states, as well as defense mechanisms (Silver 1992). Biopsychosocial factors-broken down into biological, psychological, and sociocultural-also play a huge role in personality and aging (Notes 10/08). Some examples of biological factors are health, genetics, and physiological function. Thoughts, feelings, and emotions would be considered psychological factors. Sociocultural factors include family, religion and community. Additionally, people endure unique experiences and circumstances throughout their life course,
Aging is the process by which the human body undergoes changes and maturation over time, mainly because dead cells are not replaced in sufficient amounts to maintain optimum performance. In addition, changes in behavior are expected, (Gall, Beins, and Feldman, 2001). Due to the distinctive physical and psychological changes, this period of life can be one of much confusion for the elderly. Fortunately, technological advances in medicine and lifestyles have made life expectancy increase significantly since the fifties to the present, (Hiller & Barrow, 2011). For this project I used a phenomenology method. Phenomenology is the study of life events as they appear in the consciousness of a person or group of people; moreover is the study of experiences as they come to pass in our lives, (Desjarlais & Throop, 2011). This paper aims to analyze, visualize and illustrate various aspects of aging from the point of view of older adults.
Prominent musician, Celine Dion, once said, “There’s no such thing is aging, but maturing and knowledge. It’s beautiful, I call that beauty.” To many, growing old is just a natural, beautiful part of life. It is inevitable. It is inescapable. The functionalist perspective of sociology states that the elderly perform a function in order to keep society running with ease. Functionalists focus on the disengagement theory and how people tend to disengage from society as they approach death. Symbolic interactionists focus on how environmental factors and relationships with others affect the aging experience, focusing on the activity theory and the continuity theory (Carl, 2011, p. 220). Conflict theorists focus on the discrepancies that arise between different age groups. They also focus on the economical side of aging and the issues that may arise due to an active elderly population (Carl, 2011, p. 221).
Aging affects every individual and is inevitable, despite our valiant attempts to prevent it. The aging process beings the moment of conception however some can argue it begins at birth. The process of aging is heavily impacted by health, genetics and environmental factors. As people age we have to become accustom to the changes associated with life. The question becomes what changes happen and how? Although we cannot predict what will happen to us we can work to prevent specific things from happening by living healthier lives.
Introduction In the 16th century, rumors of the Fountain of Youth had spread like wildfire. The thought of immortality, and everlasting youth has fascinated many old, and young adventurers. Most eukaryotic organism cells are affected by a biological process known as aging. The effects of aging may include the advent of illness, disease, and ultimately death.
An interview was arranged with an older adult to discuss issues related to aging. The interview was designed to gain appreciation and understanding of an older adult. One theory of aging came into mind when I thought about this topic. Erik Erikson Life-Course and Personality Development theory, “Erikson described the task of old age as balancing the search for integrity and wholeness with a sense of despair.” NS is the older adult that I conducted the interview with. I’ve decided to pick NS to interview because she is very positive about life and her age. Everything that I have come across about aging is negative such as depression, isolation, and illness.
Aging has changed throughout history. The aging population has changed drastically over the course of past generations. Many people are living to a much older age. At this time in history, according to the film, anyone dying before the age of 80 is a premature death. 17% of the total population of the United States is elderly. This film shows how all the dramatic changes have happened in society involving the elderly not only effects the aging population, but they also affect everyone especially family life.
Aging occurs in every species. Over time a change occurs on a cellular level in a person’s body, which causes degenerative effects on the brain, muscles, organs, bones, hormones, and DNA. In 1991, the book Evolutionary Biology of Aging, offered the following definition of aging: a persistent decline in the age-specific fitness components of an organism due to internal physiological deterioration.1 Aging affects the body physically and mentally. Many people dread getting older due to the numerous changes the body goes through. The geriatric population experiences many pains and is inflicted with various diseases. There are a few who are lucky enough to not get diagnosed with a life altering disease, such as Alzheimer’s, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, or some form of cancer. Studies have shown that genetics play a vital role in the aging process.
There are a number of benefits to be found from thinking about ageing as a lifelong process and not just one that affects older people. This essay will define some of these benefits whilst backing up this reasoning with reference to the K118 material. It will then explain briefly which experiences I have had personally which have led me to responding to the question in this manner.
Aging and old age for a long time presented as dominated by negative traits and states such as sickness, depression and isolation. The aging process is not simply senescence most people over the age of 65 are not Senile, bedridden, isolated, or suicidal (Aldwin & Levenson, 1994). This change in perspective led the investigation of the other side of the coin. Ageing is seen as health, maturity and personal Royal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generatively, coping and acceptance of age-related constraints (Birren & Fisher, 1995). Psychological und...
In an attempt to define ageing one must take in consideration the biophysiological together with the psychosocial aspects; these two aspects are intertwined.
Ageism is all too common in films. While there are still so many movies packed with stereotypes that view aging as negative, there is a recent movie, which portrayed aging positively in some aspects, the movie ‘The Second Best Marigold Hotel’. While this movie does contain stereotypes and humor about aging, it also shows the visitors leading active, happy, free and independent lives. They are not portrayed as being sick or frail, but instead they are embracing life and their experiences regardless of their age.
Late adulthood should be a time in a person's life where they feel fulfilled. They can look back on their memories and be happy with the way they have lived their life. Now, too many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. Most fear death of either a loved one or for themselves. This topic is interesting to me because elderly people should make the best of their last stage of life. This topic discusses about getting older, the life changes that they go through physically, emotionally, and mentally. We should know more about it so that we can help our family and friends get through one of the best, yet toughest part of our mortal life.
As human beings age, according to Erik Erikson, they go through developmental stages that help to create and transform their personalities. If needs are met and the ego is gratified, then the individual is able to move on to the next challenge. Onward they march in life and in stage until they find the end level: integrity versus despair. This has been categorized as adults 65 years and older by Erikson. Here, people are to reminisce and judge their lives in terms of merit or disappointment. Erikson himself had a lot to comb through in his later years.
Aging and being old was dominated by negative characteristics and conditions such as illness, depression, and isolation for a long time (Eibach, Mock, & Courtney, 2010). At first glance the terms “success” and “aging” seem to be in conflict to each other. When asking people about aging, their answers have many facets that are also found in psychological definitions: successful aging is seen as health, maturity and personal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generativity, coping, and acceptance of age-related limitations. In the psychological sense successful aging is also often seen as the absence of age-associated characteristics (Strawbridge, Wallhagen, & Cohen, 2002). It seems that successful aging means is not aging.