DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGYChapter 20: Death, Dying, and Bereavement
Attitudes Towards Death
The 20th Century Perspective Death is invisible
Modern American society has created a system in which the role of death is minimized in our lives.
Death often occurs in hospitals
Funeral Homes Make Up Funeral procedures Denial
Statistics on Death
Males die at a higher rate than females at all ages
The non white population has a higher death rate than the white population
Nonwhite infants have a death rate twice as high as white population
Accidents are the leading cause of death among youths ages 15 to 24
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Definitions of Death
Physiological death Vital organs cease functioning Organs cannot function independently
___________________ Cessation of brain wave activity No consciousness, no awareness
Sociological Death Withdrawal of society from the dying Isolation
Attitudes About Death
Middle aged adults reports highest levels of fears about death….ages 45 to 54
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What are your concerns about death? Are you afraid? What are your beliefs about death and
after death?
Stages of Death/Grief
Kubler-Ross Psychiatrist who studied
those dying Identified 5 stages
1) Denial 2) Anger 3) Bargaining 4) _____________ 5) Acceptance
Funny Video Elisabeth Kubler Ross
Video 1 Video 2
Types of Death
Uncertain Death Certain Death ________________
Premature Death Unexpected Death Calamitous Death
Homicide Suicide
Euthanasia
What are your thoughts about doctor assisted suicide?
What will you do should something bring you to that point?
What are some of the issues you may have with Euthanasia?
What policy would you write if you had the power to legislate this issue?
The Last Lecture: Video
Video