PSYC 3570 Study Guide - Final Guide: Mexican Americans, Virtual Reality, Social Death

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3570
• Professor: Mark Fenske

Document Summary

Competing ideas about the nature and meaning of death. Western society is inclined to think: either we are alive or we are dead. Two other views continue to thrive: death is the implacable enemy of life, or it is the portal through which one enters a higher form of existence. Plastination: anatomist gunther von hagens developed this tissue preservation technique. Replaces the fluids and lipids in biological tissues with polymers (eg. silicone, epoxy, polyesters) Results in dry, odourless and durable specimen that can be studied by generations of medical/nursing students (and others) Widely used in medical schools and other settings. A way to appreciate life through death. Agreeing on a definition of death does not guarantee consensus in regards to decision making, but it reduces misunderstanding and discord. The medical condition of the dying or dead individual is usually established first this has become the dominant factor.