Assignment 1: Positive and Negative Beliefs about Aging

Everyone has personal biases and stereotyped beliefs to some degree. It is critical for us to identify our beliefs and challenge ourselves to grow in order to most effectively serve our clients. In this module, you will reflect upon your personal beliefs about aging. You will also note positive and negative images about older adults in the media.

Tasks:

In a minimum of 200 words, post to the Discussion Area your responses to the following:

• Describe your personal beliefs about aging with respect to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. Which aspects of aging do you view positively?
• Describe a positive stereotype with respect to aging in your environment. Which aspects of aging do you view negatively? What influences your belief system?
• If you identify a negative stereotype related to aging or older adults, identify one activity you could engage in to increase your understanding of this stage in life.
• While watching television this week, keep a brief log of portrayals of older adults in commercials. How many images were positive? How many were negative? Compare your observations with research findings.

Note: In this assignment, express your honest beliefs; however, keep in mind that respectful language and terminology must be used at all times.

Support your rationale and analysis by using at least two resources from professional literature in your response. Professional literature may include the Argosy University online library resources; relevant textbooks; peer-reviewed journal articles; and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (websites ending in .edu or .gov).

Your discussion posts and all written assignments should reflect graduate level writing skills and appropriate use of APA style, including in-text citations and references.