Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. LIFE-SPAN DEVELOPMENT 17 A Topical Approach to John W. Santrock Death and Grieving * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Death and GrievingThe Death System and Cultural ContextsDefining Death and Life/Death IssuesA Developmental Perspective on DeathFacing One’s Own Death Coping with the Death of Someone Else * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Death in Different CulturesPerceptions of death vary; reflect diverse values and philosophies Individuals more conscious of death in times and places of war, poverty, disease. Most societies have Philosophical or religious beliefs about death Rituals that deal with death View that death does not end existence Death and Cultural Contexts * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. U.S. Denial and Avoidance of DeathFuneral industry emphasizes lifelike qualities Euphemisms — softening language for death Persistent search for “fountain of youth” Rejection and isolation of aged Concept of pleasant and rewarding afterlife Medical emphasis — prolonging life, not easing suffering Death and Cultural Contexts * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Changing Historical CircumstanceDeath becoming increasingly complex When to determine death has occurred Life expectancy has increased Most die apart from families Care for dying shifted away from family Minimized exposure to death and its pain Death and Cultural Contexts * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Issues in Determining DeathBrain death — neurological definition of death All electrical activity of brain has ceased for a specified period of time Flat EEG recording Some medical experts argue criteria for death should include only higher cortical functioning Defining Death and Life/Death Issues * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Decisions Regarding Life, Death, and Health CareNatural Death Act and Advance Directive Expresses person’s desires regarding extraordinary medical procedures that might be used to sustain life when medical situation becomes hopeless Defining Death and Life/Death Issues * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. EuthanasiaPainlessly ending lives of persons suffering from incurable diseases or severe disabilities Passive euthanasia — withholding of available treatments, allowing the person to die Active euthanasia — death induced deliberately, as by injecting a lethal dose of drug Publicized controversy: assisted suicide Defining Death and Life/Death Issues * Slide * © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Needed: Better Care for Dying IndividualsDeath in U.S.: often lonely, prolonged, painful Plan for your death Make a living will Give someone power of attorney Give your d.