Thanatology 2nd Semester

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How has/does the media portray death?

The media portrayed the good things about death while diminishing the bad things. For example, they deny the fact that cancer is Canada’s leading cause of death.

Death is not a biological event, it’s a social phenomenon that’s seen as bad. As a result…

Anything related to death is also seen as bad

What are some purposes of funerals?

Acknowledge the death of deceased, acknowledge grief of bereaved, allow people to show emotion while also controlling the display of emotion

What is cultural consiousness?

An appreciation and awareness of diversity.

What is the ADEC? What is their goal?

The association for death education and counselling. They want to recognize diversity in death education.

What is culture?

Rules, values and beliefs that make up how a group lives.

What are some features of culture?

Dynamic, shared, learned

What is the biggest cultural assumption?

Everyone who looks the same is the same

Who is Pittu Lougani?

He was a British psychologist that looked at 4 contrasts in culture.

Explain cultures that focus on individualism vs communalism(Pittu)

Individualism: Focus on personal achievement, growth and independence

Communalism: Focus on family and community, also religion

Explain cultures that focus on cognitivism vs emotionalism(Pittu)

Cognitivism: Focus on logic and reason. Feelings are secondary.

Emotionalism: Focus on passion and beliefs. Feelings are encouraged.

Explain cultures that focus on free will vs determinism(Pittu)

Free Will: Values independent thinking and choice. Success is based on effort. Not very religious.

Determinsm: Values patterns like fate and karma. Success is predetermined. Very religious.

Explain cultures that focus on materialism vs spiritualism(Pittu)

Materialism: Values tangible stuff like goods and wealth.
Spiritualism: Values intangible things like beliefs and meaning of human existence.

Explain Canada’s duality of fear and fascination with death.

Canadians often avoid death, but there is a cultural intrigue seen in stuff like books and tourism.

What are some aspects and examples of death denying socieities?

Avoidance of death, language of resistance, funerals focus on celebrating life rather than acknowledging loss. Examples include North American societies.

What are some aspects and examples of death affirming societies?

Death is natural, seen as cyclical life, funerals often focus on sending off soul peacefully. Examples include Eastern Cultures and Indigenous

What is the Terror Management theory?

Main idea is we have a brain that can think about the future and know we will die. This awareness can hurt our survival instinct.

What is mortality salience? What are some of its effects?

The awareness that you will die. Some effects include making you want your people more, making you want outsiders less, greater adherence to social norms

What are some ways death anxiety manifests?

Avoidance behaviours: avoiding talking about death or attending funerals.
Risk Taking: Doing dangerous stuff like extreme sports

What are some cultural worldviews that help people reduce death anxiety?

Believing in afterlife, nutrients will return to earth, legacy and achievement (I will live on past my death), martyrdom

What is grief?

Internal experiences of loss.

What is mourning?

Outward culturally shaped expression of loss.

What is the Task Model of Grief theory? Also who is it by?

To deal with grief, you need to do 4 tasks: Accept loss, process pain, adjust to new environment, find enduring connection.
William Worden

What are cultural challenges people face in a healthcare setting?

Limits on number of visitors, restrictions on ceremonial items, lack of culturally competent care

What are posthumous celebrity careers?

The cultural/commercial impact a celebrity has after death.

What is the agency of the dead?

One’s influence after death.

What are the mechanisms of posthumous fame?

Symbolic value, economic value, digital technology

What is a timely celebrity death?

Died in old age, a bit sad but it’s ok

What is a tragic celebrity death?

Sudden death, often at young age

What is a Tragic-Foolish celebrity death?

Death because of poor life choices, becomes a warning to the masses

What is a Tragic-Heroic celebrity death?

Death because of bravery, adventure or creativity. Inspring. i.e. Terry Fox

What are some aspects of animated vs live action death in media?

Animated: bright colours, lighthearted music, makes it easier for kids to process death.
Live action: more intense, realistic, audiences are confronted by emotions

How death portrayals in pop culture help us grieve?

Processing grief through fictional characters, teaches us about how different cultures handle death,

Different cultures have _________________ to death

different traditions, beliefs and responses

What is accessible death?

Death presented by pop culture in a consumable, dramatized way. Lets people confront it indirectly.

What are morbid spaces?

Environments where people can safely engage with death. i.e. Films, TV

What is morbid sensibility?

An attraction to the themes of death and decay.

What are some of the impacts of graphic portrayals of death in pop culture?

Shapes viewers understanding of death, desensitizes them, can foster morbid curiosity

What is hospice/palliative care?

Care that focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life.

What is compassionate care?

Employment insurance that pays people when they have to be away from work to support a family member who are at a big risk of death.

What is closed awareness of dying?

Dying person is not aware that they’re dying, but others are

What is suspected awareness of dying?

Dying person suspects they are dying but others don’t confirm it.

What is mutual pretense dying?

Everyone one knows the dying person is dying but they all act as if they will recover

What is open awareness dying?

Everyone knows dying person is dying and openly talk about the fact.

Who was the first person to talk about grief work?

Sigmund Freud

Who did a study on traumatic deaths in a nightclub?

Erich Lindemann

Who made the 5 stages of grief theory? Also what are the 5 stages are grief?

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance

Who made attachment theory? Also what is attachment theory?

John Bowlby, the idea that your attachment to the deceased greatly affects how you grieve.

Who made the phase based theory of mourning? Also what are the 4 phases of mourning?

Colin Parkes. Numbness, yearning, disorganization, reorganization

Who came up with the 5 phases of grief theory? Also what were the 5 phases?

Catherine Sanders. Shock, awareness, withdrawal, healing, renewal

Who came up with the 6 R’s of grief theory? Also what are the 6 R’s of grief?

Terese Rando

Recognize the loss

React to what has happened

Recollect and review memories

Relinquish the world as it once was

Readjust to life after loss

Reinvest in the world

What is the dual process model of grief?

A grieving person goes back and forth between longing/sorrow to rebuilding life.

What is the continuing bonds theory?

Death is just a change in the relationship, not a final end.

What is intrusive grief?

Ongoing, debilitating grief

What is traumatic loss vs traumatic grief?

Traumatic Loss - The event that causes the loss, i.e. multi-vehicle accident

Traumatic Grief - The response to traumatic loss

What is bereavement?

The situation of people who have experienced a loss.

What are factors that affect the grieving process?

Personal vulnerability, low trust in self/others, poor health, traumatic death

What are intuitive vs instrumental grievers?

Intuitive - Talks openly about deceased person
Instrumental - Focuses on doing things, doesn’t talk much about loss

What is a funeral?

An organized group centered response to death w/ ceremonies and body is there.

What is a ritual?

A culturally standardized ceremony made of a series of actions.

What is a funeral practice?

A method of disposing of deceased remains. i.e. cremation

What are Pre-death protocols?

Arrangements made before death. i.e. wills

What is embalming?

The preservation of a body by replacing bodily fluids with chemicals. Not permanent.

What is visitation?

Period before the funeral where loved ones gather to view body.

What is a burial?

The act of placing body into the ground.

What is cremation?

The burning of a body into ashes via very got fire.

What is a memorial service?

Like a funeral but body isn’t there.

What is an obituary?

Published notice of a person’s death.

What is a eulogy?

A speech made in honour of deceased

What is interment?

The act of putting deceased’s remains into final resting place.

In Canada, death must be registered. To register a body, you need:

SIN number and birth details of deceased

What are some aspects of a green burial?

No embalming, hand dug graves, biodegradable caskets

What are memorial diamonds?

Diamonds made from cremated ashes.

What is alkaline hydrolysis?

A water cremation that uses water and chemicals to dissolve body into a solution.

What are some roles of funeral directors?

Makes sure deceased’s wishes are met, embalms remains, arranges funerals

What is loss?

An irreversible experience of change.

What are some aspects of non-death loss?

Often not acknowledged by society, unique to the person, doesn’t have as many rituals

What is ambiguous loss?

An uncertain loss that lacks closure

What is disenfranchised grief?

When there is a failure to recognize a loss.

What is non-finite loss?

Ongoing losses with no foreseeable end. i.e. infertility

What is chronic sorrow?

The response to non-finite loss. i.e. parenting a child with a disability

What is empty nest syndrome?

A parent whose children have all moved out that misses when the household was full.

What is anticipatory grief?

The grief before a loss

What is the assumptive world?

The belief system in which people interpret life.

What are the components of the assumptive world?

Beliefs about the world, beliefs about others, beliefs about self and future expectatinos

What is secure attachment? (John Bowlby)

Child believes caregiver will always be available. Effects: comfortable w/ independency

What is insecure-avoidant attachment? (John Bowlby)

Child tries to rely on caregiver as little as possible. Effects: reluctant to seek help from others

What is resistant attachment? (John Bowlby)

Child is unsure about caregiver’s availability. Effects: Fear of abandonment, dependent on reassurance

What is disorganized attachment? (John Bowlby)

Abusive/traumatic caregving. Effects: Difficulty making stable relationships.

What are some narrative and expressive approaches to grieving?

Storytelling, music, visual arts, digital storytelling

What are some risks and challenges of first responders?

Exposure to trauma, self risk

What are some symptoms/effects of PTSD?

Flashbacks, efforts to avoid reminders, detachment

What is secondary trauma?

Psychological toll of helping survivors/grievers

How can regular exposure to grief in the workforce help personal growth?

More death awareness, resilience, living more intentionally