This project consists of an interview divided in three parts.
Description and Instructions
1. This course covers human development throughout life and emphasizes the interaction between people and their social environments. The objective of this task is to structure 2 interviews of one hour each by phone, Skype or face-to-face meetings (face to face, at least once, preferred) with AN older adult (i.e. 60-65 years). Create a document that details those three contacts, the theory, and your experience with the older adult and how all of this relates to the course material. This written assignment is intended to help you understand the importance of the issues of advanced adulthood and aging as relevant to social work practice, theory, and public policy. You can choose a particular approach to conversations, such as:
Cultural and ethnic diversity
LGBTQ Issues
Psychosocial adjustment to aging
Health and/or mental health issues
Spirituality and religiosity
2. The following are suggested questions to help with the conversation surrounding the general life history section:
What are some of the most important achievements in your life?
What have been some of the most important challenges in the development of your past life?
Today, what are some of the most important issues you face as an older adult?
How are you preparing for your anticipated future needs (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and/or financial)?
If you were to review your life as a whole, how would you describe the most important meanings you’ve discovered?
What wisdom would you like to share with others?
How would you like to be remembered?
3. To complete the project, you must have a minimum of 2 interactions of one hour each with the same person. As for the choice of this older adult, interviewing family or close friends is discouraged. Ask for permission from the instructor if you have a compelling reason to do so.
Interview Part 1:
Before the first meeting: Interview Part 1, in about 2 pages, write a description of:
The nature of the interaction you will have with the older adult(s) – who, what, where.
Don’t include the older adult’s real name or other information that makes them easily identifiable, however, it’s okay to identify the relationship you have with this person.
The goals you have for your own learning about older adults that will promote your personal or professional growth
Three challenging aspects of this task
Three rewarding aspects of this
The strengths you bring to this project; Weaknesses/stereotypes/biases that you will need to address in order for this project to be successful.
Interview: Part 2
1. After the first meeting, in 1 or 2 pages, write a description of:
Your first meeting, who was present and where the interaction was
Your feelings and thoughts before, during and after the visit
Changes (if any) to your plans, goals, concerns, etc. from what you wrote before the visit and what explains these changes
2. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to write down your initial thoughts and feelings immediately after the visit, process the information for a few days, and then write down the final version. In turn, if you wait too long to write down your ideas, other factors can influence the experience.
Interview: Part 3
1. After the second meeting, in 3 pages, write a description of the following:
Have you had any changes in the perspective you described after the first meeting?
Initial connections you’re making between your observations and thoughts and the material covered in class, particularly reading materials in older adults.
Please feel free to continue meeting with your project senior. These ongoing interactions can contribute to the final writing of your writing.
Summarize what you have learned from this experience that will promote your personal and professional growth, your thinking about older adults and how this interview can influence your future professional practice.
References
1. Mitchell, B. A. (2010). Midlife Marital Happiness and Ethnic Culture: A Life Course Perspective. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 41(1), 167183.
2. Rauch, J. (2014). The Real Roots of Midlife Crisis. (cover story). Atlantic, 314(5), 8895.
3. Levinson, D. (1996). The seasons of a womans life: A fascinating exploration of the events, thoughts, and life experiences that all women share. United States: Ballantine Books.
4. Little, B. (2016, July 19). Who are you, really? The puzzle of personality. [Video File]. (15:16, CC).
5. Mind Mapping: ejemplo 1 y ejemplo 2
6. Dr. Shell (2017, Jan 2). Adult Development Introduction to Emerging Adulthood. [Video] YouTube (14:53, CC)
7. Paikin, S. (2010, septiembre 21). Jeffrey Jensen Arnett: Emerging Adulthood. {Video] YouTube (15:30, CC)
8. Arengo-Jones, M. (2019, February 12). Rogers and Maslow – Humanistic theories of personality by Malindi Arengo-Jones llb msc psych | Noomii. Life Coach, Business Coach, Career Coach,
