Aging in America

LESSON 3.2 Psychological Changes

Required Readings

Hooyman & Kiyak text: Chapters 5 through 7

http://www.learner.org NOTE: View the 30 minute long streaming video available on this site.

To find, click on tab “View programs”, then type “Maturing and Aging” in the search box. Scroll

down the list (it’s alphabetical) until you find the video you want.

Written Assignment

Watch the 1981 film “On Golden Pond,” produced by Mark Rydell (ITC Films). You can rent it

at your local video store.

Write a 6-8 page paper that examines the psychological attributes exhibited by the aging

character Norman Thayer, Jr., played by Henry Fonda. Be sure to go beyond just describing what

happens in the story. Your focus should be on observing what goes on with this character and

describing/explaining it through application of the theories and research in your text, instructor

notes, and other materials provided in this lesson. Headings in the instructor notes will remind

you of the major specific areas you should cover in your paper, including personality, learning,

memory, and motivation. If you wish, you may include other related areas as well.

As usual, please be sure to cite sources in your paper using a standard writing style such as APA

or MLA, even if you use only your text, and add a Reference List or Bibliography at the end of

your paper.

NOTE: If you cannot, for some reason, obtain or view this film, contact your instructor who

will give you an alternative assignment.

PLEASE NOTE: All graded assignments for this Unit should be grouped together and

submitted using the Assignment Submission form accessed from your course homepage or

http://www.sjcme.edu/gps/assignments.