Ageing: Mind, Brain and Behaviour

Overview

This module covers the way key psychological processes change over the lifespan. We will discuss questions including: Can we live forever? Is ageing a disease, and can it be treated like a disease? Are older people wiser? When should older adults stop driving? Is the lifespan genetically determined? In a series of lectures, we will cover how healthy ageing affects brain structure and function, memory, executive function, emotion and mobility. We will also cover the key pathologies that come with age including dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Finally, we will talk about the extent to which genetic factors affect ageing.

Learning Objectives

1. Critical evaluation of the way in which attitudes, emotions, and mobility are affected by underlying cognitive and physiological changes with age.
2. Evaluation of an older adult’s cognitive and motor performance
3. Understanding and critical evaluation of research articles in the field of the psychology of ageing
4. Understanding of the value of psychology for addressing real world problems with a focus on improving the lives of older adults.
There is a strong applied aspect to the module. As part of the module’s assessment, students will evaluate an older adult’s cognitive and motor performance in order to apply what they have learned in class. Using practical examples in real-world contexts, students will learn the value of psychology for addressing real world problems with a focus on improving the lives of older adults.

Skills

Having taken this module, students will be able to perform a basic assessment of cognitive and motor skills in a young and an older adult, and will be able to assess indicators of age-related decline like walking speed and processing speed. The poster presentation component will develop students’ skills in critically evaluating research articles and skills in communicating scientific findings.

Assessment

None