Session 1 - Ageing and Stereotyping

Question 1

Describe the biomedical model of medicine

Answer 1

• Illness understood as biological and physiological processes
• Body treated like a machine, fixed by removing or replacing ailing part

Question 2

Describe the biopsychosocial model of medicine

Answer 2

Biological, psychological and social issues all contribute to health and illness

Question 3

Why is the biopsychosocial model important in modern medicine?

Answer 3

• Takes into consideration all aspects of psyche
• Happier patients recover faster and better

Question 4

How is knowledge stored, and how can this lead to stereotyping?

Answer 4

• knowledge organised in schemata, groups of related information
• Leads to thinking that members of the same group share some characteristics
• Social schemata prone to negative traits and resistant to change

Question 5

Define a stereotype

Answer 5

Organisation of knowledge in schemata, overlooking individuality

Question 6

Define projudice

Answer 6

Pre-judgement often based on negative stereotypes

Question 7

Define discrimination

Answer 7

Behaving differently with people from different groups because of their group membership

Question 8

Describe conditions under which people are more likely to rely on stereotypes

Answer 8

Time pressured, fatigued, information overload

Question 9

Give 2 examples of ways to avoid reliance on stereotypes

Answer 9

1) Reflective practise
2) Getting to know members of other groups

Question 10

How does cognitive capacity change with ageing?

Answer 10

Loss of fluid intelligence as you age - problem solving without prior exposure becomes more difficult

Some individuals change very little

Question 11

Describe the 2 models that can occur when ageing

Answer 11

1) Disengagement model
2) Activity model - maximal engagement in all areas of life