PSYCH 111 Chapter Notes - Chapter V: The Residents
Document Summary
Studies have shown that when people are placed in stressful situations, the negative effect of the stress can be reduced if the participants believe they have some control over the stressful event. We are happier and more effective people when we have the power to choose. Unfortunately, in our society, many people"s lives reach a stage when they lose this power and are no longer allowed to make even the simplest of choices for themselves. If the loss of personal responsibility for one"s life causes a person to be less happy and healthy, then increasing control and power should have the opposite effect. Rodin wanted to test this theoretical idea directly by enhancing personal power and choice for a group of nursing home residents. The residents in the home were all of generally similar physical and psychological health and came from similar socioeconomic backgrounds. The 91 participants ranged in age from 65 to 90.
