PURPOSE
The purpose of this assignment is to develop a deeper understanding of how younger adults compare to adults in late adulthood in their understanding of and experiences with happiness.
STEP 1
Watch the TED talk below.
What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness.
Robert Waldinger (November 2015)
Robert Waldinger is a psychiatrist and professor at Harvard Medical School. In the talk, he discusses some of the results of the Grant study, which is a longitudinal study that took place over 75 years, and presents some conclusions on factors leading to a happy life.
STEP 2
After viewing this video about lessons from the longest study on happiness, reflect on your own thoughts and feelings on happiness by responding to the questions in the form attached below. Record your responses to the questions in this form.
Personal Reflection on Happiness.docx
STEP 3
Talk to a grandparent or another relative or person you know who is at least 60 years old and ask them the questions in the form attached below. Use this same form to record their responses.
Interview with an Elder about Happiness.docx
STEP 4
Write a 2-page paper that compares and contrasts conclusions presented in the TED talk, your own responses to the reflection questions on happiness, and your interviewee’s responses to the questions about happiness. Address the following questions in your paper:
- How do your thoughts and feelings on happiness (as captured in your reflection) relate to the conclusions about happiness presented in the TED talk? Compare and contrast some specifics.
- How do your thoughts and feelings on happiness (as captured in your reflection) relate to the thoughts and feelings of the person in late adulthood that you interviewed? Compare and contrast some specifics.
- Do you think happiness means something vastly different for younger vs. older people? Explain.