The humanist and critical principles of educational gerontology attribute different goals to education in later life. Self-Actualization is the goal of humanist educational gerontology, while empowerment, emancipation, and social change are the goals of critical educational gerontology. Liberal arts education is dominant in later-life learning.…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide an intergenerational exchange as undergraduate students taking an introductory Psychology of Aging course, interviewed and watched films with older adult participants (N = 13) residing in an assisted living community. The undergraduate researchers (N = 10) conducted and transcribed interviews,…

One area that remained off the research radar is that interface between senior centers and learning programs, and hence, their potential to act as community-based learning hubs. Countering such a state of affairs, this article reports on an action research study to investigate the extent that a transformative learning program in a senior center…

The goal of the current project was to examine whether engaging in social activity may moderate or mediate the relation between age and cognitive functioning. A large age range sample of adults performed a variety of cognitive tests and completed a social activities questionnaire. Results did not support the moderator hypothesis, as age…

This study investigated a sample of California elementary, intermediate, and high school employed teachers (N = 247) to assess the effects of retirement perceptions on career commitment among teachers who are in different age groupings. Using path analysis, the influence of five retirement perceptions variables was examined: concerns about…

Little is known about younger adults' attitudes towards age-related sexual changes and behaviors. Research using the Aging Sexuality Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS) (White, 1982) has been effective in determining knowledge and attitudes among the staff of long-term care facilities, nurses, undergraduate nursing students, health care…

Recent trends in counselor education are moving away from a standardized academic track in gerocounseling. We propose three types of academic models (integrated in-house, out-of-house, and combined) that provide greater academic freedom to counselor education faculty who wish to construct a gero-specialization specific in their program.

Provides a literature-based overview of continuing education for older adults. Addresses the context of older adult education, age and cohort differences in participation, scope of programming, implications of psychological theory and research, and recommendations for enhancing participation and learning. (SK)

Attitudinal information was collected from two groups to compare the attitudes of older adults and younger adults toward educational media. Results indicated no basic differences in attitudes toward educational media between the two groups. (Author)

A quick review of introductory textbooks reveals that while gerontology authors and instructors introduce some aspect of demography and epidemiology data, there is limited focus on age adjustment or other important epidemiology rates. The goal of this paper is to reintroduce a variety of basic epidemiology strategies such as incidence, prevalence,…

Some of the problems ordinarily attributed to poor learning and bad memory in older adults can be accounted for by inadequate stimulus or response output. Prospects for improving learning and memory efficiency in older adults are thus better than formerly believed. (SK)

Explored the use of adult education programing in addressing the needs of 50 midlife caregivers. Results showed younger respondents had more requests for information. Information related to the aging process was of greatest concern. Instructional methods that allowed personal interaction were selected for content areas of a personal nature. (JAC)

Does not support the hypothesis that cognitive regression takes place as a part of normal aging. (RL)

Data found the overall interest in various types of college courses among the elderly is quite low and age is strongly related to course interest. Results suggest policy makers should be cautious in funding educational programs for the elderly, and should focus programs on individuals under 70 years of age. (Author)

Young adults, middle-aged, and old persons (n=150) participated in a study of creativity and age. Results showed age differences in creativity to the disadvantage of the old. Reduced speed of information processing, lower level of complexity, and decreased willingness to risk original solutions by age are offered as explanations. (Author/AS)