Psychology: Understanding Psychology: Student Web Activity: Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Adulthood and Old Age

"Postpone Aging"

Introduction
Statistics tell us that people are living decades longer than at the turn of the century, but is it possible that we could live to be a healthy 150 years old? For years scientists and psychologists have been studying the aging process and its effects, and now current research has begun to provide us with some answers to how aging actually happens. On the Internet MSNBC has a Special Report about recent research on longevity. Find out if aging is something that you can put off until later.

Destination Title: Longevity
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Directions

Start at MSNBC's Longevity Web site.
Browse through the site, taking notes as you go.

Read through the information, and then answer the following questions.

1. What lifestyle factors contribute to aging?

2. What antiaging strategies are being researched?

3. How can social activities play a role in an elderly person's health?

4. How can sleep deprivation in young people mimic signs of aging?

5. You learned in this chapter that your present habits will contribute to the status of your health in old age. Go to the "life expectancy calculator" topic to determine your projected life expectancy. Assuming you are 20 and retaining current lifestyle, calculate your life expectancy. Next, modify certain factors to see how changing some habits can impact your life span. On a separate sheet of paper, describe your initial results, your modified results, and any changes that could make you healthier in old age.