Instructor and Student Companion Web Site for Whitbourne, S.K. (2005). Adult Development and Aging: Biopsychosocial Perspectives, 2e. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1- Themes and Issues in Adult Development and Aging
Chapter 2- Models of Development: Nature and Nurture in Adulthood
Chapter 4- Physical and Sensory Changes in Adulthood and Old Age
Chapter 5- Health and Prevention
Chapter 6- Basic Cognitive Functions: Information Processing, Attention, and Memory
Chapter 7- Language, Problem Solving, and Intelligence
Chapter 8- Personality and Patterns of Coping
Chapter 10- Work, Retirement, and Leisure Patterns
Chapter 11- Mental Health Issues and Treatment
Chapter 12- Treatment Sites for Chronic Disorders in Adulthood
Chapter 14- Successful Aging and Creativity
Organizations Relevant to Aging for Students and Professionals
CHAPTER ONE: THEMES AND ISSUES IN ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING
National Institute of Aging's quiz on aging (downloadable as a pdf file).
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports
Weekly updates on health trends in the U.S. From this site, there are links to numerous publications available as PDF downloads. Sign up for email notification every Friday of the table of contents for the week.
This is the site of the study being conducted by Perls and Silver. It contains a life expectancy calculator and updates on the study's findings.
Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator
Based on the New England Centenarian Study.
Contains a wealth of information for the instructor and the student. Check it regularly for new materials to cite and figures that can be downloaded and inserted into the lecture.
The Census 2000 Brief series will provided the first analysis of Census 2000 population and housing topics to the public. The briefs focus on discussing the most important aspects of the topics, as well as exploring the geographic distribution of the subject matter. This web site is frequently updated and contains a number of special reports.
Census report on aging with comprehensive population information (downloadable as a pdf file).
Press releases describing reports on a variety of topics related to aging going back as far as 1995.
Web Site of the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics
Excellent resource on the well-being of older adults. Includes powerpoint slides. Sign up to receive an update when it becomes available in November 2004.
Administration on Aging Statistical Resources
Updated and comprehensive covering a variety of topics relating to aging in the U.S. and around the world.
Download this booklet with U.S. Census information containing international population reports.
CDC update from February 2003
Search for "aging" to keep up with the latest discoveries on aging.
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CHAPTER TWO: MODELS OF DEVELOPMENT: NATURE AND NURTURE IN ADULTHOOD
The Patient Information pages on the NCI Web site have comprehensive yet easy to follow tutorials on genetics. There are many fabulous slides that can be downloaded from this site and because it is a U.S. government site there are no copyright restrictions.
Download the latest information from this U.S. Government web site and integrate into the class discussion of genetics.
PBS Web Site from the DNA Series
Extensive resources on DNA from the PBS Series with many useful links and information.
PBS Web Site from the Stealing Time Series
Extensive resources on the topics of biology and cognition.
PBS Web Site from the Discovering Psychology Series
Web site on life-span development. Excellent graphics.
The biologist Roy Walford developed this Web site as a repository of information on his theory of caloric restriction. He died at the age of 79 on April 27, 2004.
Sociological Perspectives on Aging
Trinity University (Texas) professor M. Kearl posts relevant historical background on the social context of aging.
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CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS
Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System
The Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides extensive information on the health habits of Americans. The survey provides an interesting example of the survey research method and how it is applied to a practical problem—the health habits of adults in the U.S.
Main web site of the major U.S. government research institute on aging.
The research of K. Warner Schaie and Sherry L. Willis in the Seattle Longitudinal Study has provided a vast amount of data relevant to research models and methods. This web site contains updates of their findings.
National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging
NACDA acquires and preserves data relevant to gerontological research, processing as needed to promote effective research use, disseminates them to researchers, and facilitates their use. By preserving and making available the largest library of electronic data on aging in the United States, NACDA offers opportunities for secondary analysis on major issues of scientific and policy relevance.
Social Statistics Briefing Room
The purpose of this service is to provide easy access to current Federal social statistics. It provides links to information produced by a number of Federal agencies. All of the information included in the Social Statistics Briefing Room is maintained and updated by the statistical units of those agencies. All the estimates for the indicators presented in the Federal Statistics Briefing Rooms are the most currently available
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CHAPTER FOUR: PHYSICAL AND SENSORY CHANGES IN ADULTHOOD AND OLD AGE
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Excellent tutorial on the brain.
PBS Web Site on the Secret Life of the Brain
Information and videos from the PBS series, Episode 5: The Aging Brain.
Report on postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
Extensive report by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute on the latest status of hormone replacement therapy risks.
National Women's Health Information Center
More news on hormone replacement therapy, from the National Women's Health Information Center.
Information on Sensory Impairments in Older Adults
Comprehensive tables on the extent of losses in the area of vision and hearing.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
A report from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute on the senses.
The American Optometric Association provides a brief explanation of this age-related change in vision.
Take this online test; website includes other information about presbyopia.
Detailed information about visual disorders in middle and later adulthood.
Detailed explanation of ear anatomy
Beth Hartwell, M.D. provides excellent explanations and diagrams of the major structures and functions of the ear (including the organs of balance).
Alec N. Salt, Ph.D., of the Washington University Cochlear Fluids Laboratory, provides another detailed explanation of the cochlea.
Take a hearing test and also find out about noise-related hearing loss in adulthood.
The American Speech and Hearing Association web site provides a self-test to assess hearing loss (this is similar to the "Assess Yourself" box in Chapter 4).
General information about hearing loss
The web site of the organization known as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People ("SHHH") provides detailed information on hearing loss, including another self-test for hearing loss.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Information on falls in older adults.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Learn about smell and taste disorders.
Comparisons of sleeping patterns between older and younger adults..
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CHAPTER FIVE: HEALTH AND PREVENTION
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
One of the most extensive and informative sites on the web dealing with a variety of age-related topics. Other links on this page lead to specific pages within this web site, but you can also conduct your own searches on the main web site on almost any topic relevant to aging.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
A division of the CDC, the NCHS web site summarizes information on births, deaths, marriage, divorce and many related topics.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Information on the signs and symptoms of stroke.
Premature Heart Disease Deaths
February 2004 CDC report on disparities in premature deaths from heart disease in the U.S.
Risk factors for high blood pressure
CDC report with updated information on risk factors and health problems associated with high blood pressure.
CDC report with regional variations in deaths from stroke in the U.S.
CDC report on racial and ethnic variations in stroke risk.
A publication of the CDC chronic disease prevention division.
2002 report of the U.S. Department on Health and
Human Safety.
Department
of Health and Human Services
Main U.S. governmental agency concerned with health; incorporates numerous specific funding and research agencies. A good starting point for seeking more specific information.
Website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with news and updates on a variety of health-related topics. Searchable health publications library.
Health, United States is an annual report on national trends in health statistics. This year's report includes a highlights section, chartbook, and 151 trend tables.
Special section from Health United States on aging
This web site identifies topic specific to older adults.
National Center for Health Statistics updated information on deaths in the U.S.
National Institute of Aging Health Information for Older Adults
A "talking" web site with information on a wide variety of topics related to health in older adults.
Report of the World Health Organization.
Service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Excellent source of reliable medical information.
Slide shows with voiceovers on smoking, cancer, women's health, men's health, and the functioning of major organ systems.
Tutorial with information on cancer risks and causes.
Prevalence of arthritis in the U.S.
CDC report on prevalence of arthritis and its relationship to perceived health.
Facts and information from the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.
Mayo Clinic information on osteoporosis
More information on osteoporosis risk factors and prevention.
The web site of this major national association contains a vast amount of information for patients and professionals. The web site is constantly being updated with new research findings and information for the public. The information is accurate and reliable. Instructors can go to this site for graphic material as well as substantive content for lectures.
A division of the American Heart Association with comprehensive information on strokes.
This is an extensive information and resource site sponsored by the major research organization in the U.S. devoted to diabetes.
CDC publication on diabetes prevalence, risk factors, and prevention.
Extensive information for professionals and caregivers.
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
A service of the National Institute on Aging. Use this site to find current, comprehensive Alzheimer's disease (AD) information and resources from the U.S. Government's National Institute on Aging (NIA).
Journal of the American Medical Association
Sign up for weekly table of contents from the JAMA site.
Journal of the American Medical Association
Sign up for weekly table of contents from the JAMA site.
Calculate your own Body Mass Index (BMI). From the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute.
Mayo Clinic information on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Useful information on the nature of the disease, treatment, and prevention.
"The Forgetting"-- PBS program on Alzheimer's disease
Information from a six-part series and an opportunity to sign up for weekly updates.
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CHAPTER SIX: Basic Cognitive Functions: Information Processing, Attention, and Memory
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Information on older adult drivers.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Injury prevention web site focusing on older drivers.
Insurance Information Institute
Web page on older drivers, a "hot topic" in insurance issues. Excellent summary of older driver statistics.
Guidebook for older adults published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
American Medical Association Guide to Older Drivers
Physician's guide for assessing and counseling older drivers. Downloadable pdf file.
Take this online version of the well-known test of susceptibility to attentional interference.
The General Slowing Hypothesis
From the PBS series "Stealing Time," Timothy Salthouse explains his theory and provides an opportunity for you to test your performance on the Digit Symbol task.
UCLA psychiatrist Gary Small provides some tips for older adults (and the rest of us as well) to maintain memory functioning.
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CHAPTER SEVEN: Language, Problem Solving, and Intelligence
Publications from the Seattle Longitudinal Study
Major releases from this extensive investigation of intelligence in adulthood and later life.
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CHAPTER EIGHT: Personality and Patterns of Coping
Online Five Factor Model Questionnaire
Take an online version of the Five Factor Model Questionnaire and see whether you agree with the profile it generates (note: this is not the NEO-PI-R, which can only be administered by a mental health professional).
Results of research on Five Factor Model
Layperson's description of large-scale cross-sectional study on the Five Factor Model that was published in 2003..
News release on Levy's 2002 publication linking a positive attitude with increased longevity.
Take this online version of the Type A Behavior Pattern questionnaire to see if you have a Type A personality.
Ladies Home Journal published this midlife crisis quiz-- watch out for popups!
Here's some pop advice on what wives should do with their midlife crisis husbands. What do you think about this advice?
Now the real truth about the midlife crisis based on data published in 2000 by Cornell sociologist Elaine Wethington.
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Infoplease summary of a variety of statistics on marital status and living arrangements. Watch out for pop-ups, though!!
Marital Status by Age in the U.S.
Web page from the Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the U.S.
Take the MSNBC survey on household chores (Assess Yourself Box in Chapter 9).
Living Arrangements of people 65 and older
Web page from the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics.
Report on grandchildren living with grandchildren
1998 U.S. Government document on this emerging trend
Updated report on length of time grandchildren live with grandparents
Summary page from U.S. Census 2000 on length of time that grandchildren live with grandparents.
Learn about how some people choose to honor their grandparents!
The AARP provides advice for grandparents.
Adult Attachment Style questionnaire
Online version of a scale to measure attachment style.
Sibling relationships in adulthood
Ohio State University Extension site on siblings and their role in later life.
Friendships and their role in healthy aging
The Mayo Clinic provides advice about the role of friends in maintaining health in later life.
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CHAPTER TEN: WORK, Retirement, and LEISURE PATTERNS
Social Security Administration
U.S. Government web site containing information on Social Security intended primarily for the public.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Major lobbying organization on behalf of older adults. The web site is intended primarily for consumers.
U.S. Department of Labor web site with most recent employment data, including up-to-the-minute employment rates, information on the U.S. economy, and careers.
Educational Attainment in the U.S.
U.S. Census Bureau detailed tables on educational rates by age, race, sex, and marital status (2002 data).
The U.S. Department of Labor's source of information on the O*NET system.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Specific information on careers, with a focus on mid-career changes.
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CHAPTER ELEVEN: MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND TREATMENT
U.S. General Accounting Office March 2002 report on elder abuse.
Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health
An excellent overview of mental health in the U.S. as of 1999. See Chapter 5 for the specific topic of mental health and aging.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The agency in the U.S. government that maintains data on substance abuse patterns in the U.S.
American Society for Suicide Prevention
Web site of public interest group devoted to helping prevent suicide.
Non-profit organization devoted to information about anxiety disorders.
Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Organization
Non-profit organization devoted to information about preventing and treating social phobia.
National Institute of Mental Health
Major government research agency devoted to understanding and treating psychological disorders.
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CHAPTER TWELVE: TREATMENT SITES FOR CHRONIC DISORDERS IN ADULTHOOD
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
Website devoted to policy concerns regarding older adults in the U.S.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Regulatory agency for Medicare and Medicaid.
Consumer-oriented web site containing information on benefits and programs.
Medicare history and Trustees Report
Learn about Medicare's history and future.
Current budget allocations for Medicare.
Interactive web site allows consumers to view information on nursing homes in their local areas.
National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
Public interest organization dedicated to nursing home reform and consumer information.
Several online books that pertain to nursing home care.
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN: DEATH AND DYING
The latest complete mortality figures from the CDC.
International statistics from the World Health Organization.
Home Care Guide for Advanced Cancer
American College of Physicians guide to helping dying patients.
Approaching Death: Improving Care at the End of Life
National Academy Press 1997 publication by Committee on Care at the End of Life, Institute of Medicine.
Describing Death in America: What we Need to Know
National Academy Press 2003 publication by the National Cancer Policy board and the Institute of Medicine.
National Institute of Mental Health information on depression and suicide.
American Association of Suicidology
Organization focused on understanding and prevention of suicide.
International Cemetary and Funeral Association
Facts about funerals.
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Guide to Funerals
Facts for consumers.
Page from Professor M. Kearl's "Sociological Tour Through Cyberspace."
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CHAPTER FOURTEEN: SUCCESSFUL AGING AND CREATIVITY
Age and psychological distress
Results from the most recent National Health Interview Survey support the view that the large majority of older adults are aging successfully.
Publication from the National Academies Press, which includes chapter on well-being.
Website published by the University of Missouri.
Links organized by Dean Simonton, expert on aging and creativity.
Website with biography and major works.
Summarizes a Charles Osgood radio show on aging artists.
Web page of the American Society on Aging featuring creative older adults.
National Endowment for the Arts
Arts and Aging resource list.
Discussion of the aging brain and creativity-- dispels myths about loss of creativity and aging.
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ORGANIZATIONS RELEVANT TO AGING FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
Gerontological Society of America
This is the main Web site for the major national professional society involved in the study of aging. It posts information about aging, additional links, membership material, and updates on the yearly national convention held in November.
American Psychological Association
Web site for the American Psychological Association, see below for Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging).
Division 20, Adult Development and Aging
Web site for the section in APA devoted specifically to aging; loaded with information and resources for students and professionals.
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University of Massachusetts Psychology of Aging (Psychology 365) web site.
Questions or suggestions? Email the author, Susan Krauss Whitbourne, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
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