SS368SS368Studying Dying, Death, and Studying Dying, Death, and

BereavementBereavement

Current Interest in Death & DyingCurrent Interest in Death & Dying

Death denying societyDeath denying society We remove sickness and death from everyday lifeWe remove sickness and death from everyday life

Where do most death occur?Where do most death occur?How we explain How we explain

our reactions to death?our reactions to death?

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Death happens 55 million times each Death happens 55 million times each year throughout the worldyear throughout the world 2.3 million times annually in the United 2.3 million times annually in the United

StatesStates

Increase in (study of death) in Increase in (study of death) in contemporary society is due to…contemporary society is due to…

Any ideas to why?Any ideas to why?

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The mystery of deathThe mystery of death

How are we socialized to deal with How are we socialized to deal with death on personal and emotional death on personal and emotional levels?levels?

Ethical issuesEthical issues Terry Schiavo - the disconnection of life-Terry Schiavo - the disconnection of life-

supporting equipmentsupporting equipment

Popular culture Popular culture Dr. Jack Kevorkian – physician assisted Dr. Jack Kevorkian – physician assisted

suicidesuicide4

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Death EducationDeath Education

The topic of Death and Dying came into The topic of Death and Dying came into its own in the 1970s its own in the 1970s Offered in psychology, sociology, social Offered in psychology, sociology, social

work, religious studies, philosophy, and work, religious studies, philosophy, and health education departmenthealth education department

GoalsGoals Increase knowledge about the professions Increase knowledge about the professions

involved with death e.g., funeral directors, involved with death e.g., funeral directors, medical personnel, and governmental medical personnel, and governmental organizationsorganizations 5

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Approaches to Studying Death Approaches to Studying Death and Dyingand Dying

Natural sciencesNatural sciences Biological approach (structure and function)Biological approach (structure and function)

Medical issues, environmental causesMedical issues, environmental causes

Social sciencesSocial sciences Sociological approachSociological approach Anthropological and psychological Anthropological and psychological

approachesapproaches

HumanitiesHumanities – literature, music, history – literature, music, history and philosophyand philosophy 7

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Biological ApproachBiological Approach

BiologyBiology is the study of lifeis the study of life The process of dying is primarily a biological The process of dying is primarily a biological

process – something that the body does to process – something that the body does to the personthe person

Respond to the meaning of the biology rather than Respond to the meaning of the biology rather than to the biology per seto the biology per se

Decisions are made based upon the biological Decisions are made based upon the biological conditioncondition

Behavior follows from the meaningBehavior follows from the meaning

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Psychological ApproachPsychological Approach

Examines the experiences of pain, death Examines the experiences of pain, death anxiety, and the emotional stages in dyinganxiety, and the emotional stages in dying

Life stages – death from a developmental Life stages – death from a developmental perspective perspective Cradle to graveCradle to grave

Death denial Death denial

Death through the eyes of children, Death through the eyes of children, adolescents, and adultsadolescents, and adults 9

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Philosophical ApproachPhilosophical Approach

SocratesSocrates “welcomes death” “welcomes death” Death is not an end, Death is not an end,

but a transitionbut a transition

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Anthropological ApproachAnthropological Approach

Anthropology – the study of humankindAnthropology – the study of humankindStudy rituals looks at the cultural values, emotional Study rituals looks at the cultural values, emotional

responses by which people live, prepare for how the responses by which people live, prepare for how the body will be dispose during the final disposition and body will be dispose during the final disposition and diedie

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Sociological ApproachSociological Approach

Four TheoriesFour Theories

1.1.Structural-functional approachStructural-functional approach

2.2.Conflict theoryConflict theory

3.3.Social exchange theorySocial exchange theory

4.4.Symbolic interaction theorySymbolic interaction theory

3 and 4 3 and 4 examines the individual in society and they are examines the individual in society and they are required to develop empathy for the subjects they studyrequired to develop empathy for the subjects they study

1 and 2 1 and 2 examines social facts, institutions and forcesexamines social facts, institutions and forces

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Structural-Functional TheoryStructural-Functional Theory

Assumes that society is in a state of Assumes that society is in a state of equilibrium and that the various social equilibrium and that the various social institutions (e.g., family, religion, economy, institutions (e.g., family, religion, economy, and politics) function on behalf of each and politics) function on behalf of each other and depict how a particular death other and depict how a particular death ritual maintains social structureritual maintains social structure

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Conflict TheoryConflict Theory

Points out the inequality in the availability Points out the inequality in the availability and quality of medical care and the and quality of medical care and the differential death ratesdifferential death rates

Focuses on competition, conflict, and Focuses on competition, conflict, and dissension tat result when individuals and dissension tat result when individuals and groups compete for limited societal groups compete for limited societal resourcesresources

What do you think that means?What do you think that means? 15

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Symbolic InteractionSymbolic Interaction

Contends that human behavior involves a subjective Contends that human behavior involves a subjective and interpretative interaction with others that attempts and interpretative interaction with others that attempts to exchange symbolic and nonsymbolic rewardsto exchange symbolic and nonsymbolic rewards Symbols (meanings) are a basic component of human Symbols (meanings) are a basic component of human

behaviorbehavior People interact with each other based on their People interact with each other based on their

understanding of the meanings of social situations and understanding of the meanings of social situations and their perceptions of what others expect of them within their perceptions of what others expect of them within these situationsthese situations

What are some of the symbols that represent What are some of the symbols that represent death?death?

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Good Night!!Good Night!!

Great Class!Great Class!

Please email me with questionsPlease email me with questions

Have a great week!Have a great week!