PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
| Title | ΨΥΧΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΗΛΙΚΙΩΜΕΝΩΝ / PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING |
| Code | ΨΥ-517 |
| Faculty | Philosophy |
| School | Psychology |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Winter |
| Common | No |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 600013510 |
Programme of Study: PPS Tmīmatos PSychologías (2017-sīmera)
Registered students: 272
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORMOS | Elective Courses | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Academic Year | 2025 – 2026 |
| Class Period | Winter |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Weekly Hours | 3 |
| Total Hours | 39 |
| Class ID | 600288823
|
Course Type 2021
Specialization / Direction
Course Type 2016-2020
- Scientific Area
- Skills Development
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
- Distance learning
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600288823
- eLearning (Moodle): https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=1640
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
- English (Instruction)
Prerequisites
General Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the course
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students:
1. will acquire knowledge of the basic principles and models of the psychology of aging.
2. will acquire the ability to recognize and describe the types of changes (pathological and non-pathological) that occur in the cognitive system with age.
3. will come in contact with older people and experiences of aging.
4. will be trained in the administration of main psychometric tests for older adults.
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Adapt to new situations
- Work in teams
- Work in an interdisciplinary team
- Appreciate diversity and multiculturality
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
The course introduces students to concepts and methods of geropsychology, and focuses on aspects of the ageing process that are related to cognitive functioning. Emphasis is given on major theoretical approaches to ageing (biological and psychosocial); on population ageing and its relation to cognitive ageing; on dimensions of cognitive ageing (attention, memory, problem-solving, expertise, and
learning), covering topics related to their trajectories of change and measurement.
Issues about the relation of cognitive ageing and socio-cultural factors, sensory and health-related changes, and dementia are also covered.
Practicals require collaboration of 2-3 students. They include (a) a written presentation of a subject in order to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant knowledge, (b) a small empirical study, and (c) an oral presentation of the study(PowerPoint). They cover 40% of the total rating. The rest is covered by final exams throughout the course material.
Keywords
theories of ageing, cognitive ageing, longitudinal study of lifespan cognitive change
Educational Material Types
- Slide presentations
- Video lectures
- Multimedia
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
Description
As regards lectures, use of power point and e-learning.
As regards practical and the presentation of students' work, use of power point, spss, word.
Use of ICT to inform students about procedural issues of the course.
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 | 1.2 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Laboratory Work | 30 | 1.2 | ✓ | ||
| Fieldwork | 10 | 0.4 | ✓ | ||
| Reading Assigment | 30 | 1.2 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Exams | 30 | 1.2 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Total | 130 | 5 |
Student Assessment
Description
Written exam at the end of the semester covering all material (70%).
Practical work (30%): Practical work includes learning how to administer neuropsychological tests to plder adults.
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Summative)
- Labortatory Assignment (Summative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
Mωραΐτου, Δ. & Τσατάλη, Μ. (2025) (Επιμ. Μετ.). Ψυχολογία της Γήρανσης. Αθήνα: ΠΕΔΙΟ.
Additional bibliography for study
-Thomas, Α. & Gutchess, Α. (Eds.) (2020). The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging. UK: Cambridge University Press.
-Yochim, B. & Woodhead, E. (Eds.) (2017). Psychology of Aging: a biopsychosocial perspective. New York, U.S.: Springer.
-Hofer, S. & Alwin, D. (eds.)(2008). Handbook of Cognitive Aging: Interdisciplinary perspectives. Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.: Sage.
-Fernandez-Ballesteros, R. (ed.) (2007). Geropsychology: European perspectives for an aging world. Goettingen, Germany: Hogrefe & Huber.
-Johnson, M. H., & de Haan, M. (2011). Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (3rd ed.). Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
-Bengtson, V., Gans, D., Putney, N., & Silverstein, M. (eds.) (2009). Handbook of theories of aging (2nd ed.). New York, U.S.A.: Springer.
Last Update
20-09-2025
