PYC 4805 – Developmental
Psychology
Chapter 13–
Dying and Bereavement
, 1. Kübler-Ross’s Work:
• Elizabeth Kübler-Ross changed the way we approach dying.
- When she began her investigation into the dying process in the 1960s, such research was
controversial; Her physician colleagues initially were outraged and some even denied their
patients were terminally ill.
• More than 200 interviews with terminally ill people convinced her most people experienced
several emotional reactions.
- Using her experiences, she described five reactions that represented the ways people
dealt with death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
• Although they were first presented as a sequence, it was subsequently realized the
emotions can overlap and be experienced in different order.
• Although she believed these five stages represent the typical range of emotional
development in the dying, Kübler-Ross cautioned not everyone experiences all of them or
progresses through them at the same rate or in the same order.
• We could actually harm dying people by considering these stages as fixed and universal.
- Individual differences are great.
• Emotional responses may vary in intensity throughout the dying process.
• The goal in applying Kübler-Ross’s ideas to real-world settings would be people achieve an
appropriate death: one that meets the needs of the dying person, allowing him or her to
work out each problem as it comes.
1.1. A Contextual Theory of Dying:
• Corr identified four dimensions of the issues or tasks a dying person faces from their
perspective: bodily needs, psychological security, interpersonal attachments, and spiritual
energy and hope.
- This holistic approach acknowledges individual differences and rejects broad
generalizations.
• Corr’s task work approach also recognizes the importance of the coping efforts of family
members, friends, and caregivers as well as those of the dying person.
• Kastenbaum and Thuell argue what is needed is an even broader contextual approach that
takes a more inclusive view of the dying process.
- They point out theories must be able to handle people who have a wide variety of terminal
illnesses and be sensitive to dying peoples own perspectives and values related to death.
• The socio-environmental context where dying occurs often changes over time and must be
recognized.
Psychology
Chapter 13–
Dying and Bereavement
, 1. Kübler-Ross’s Work:
• Elizabeth Kübler-Ross changed the way we approach dying.
- When she began her investigation into the dying process in the 1960s, such research was
controversial; Her physician colleagues initially were outraged and some even denied their
patients were terminally ill.
• More than 200 interviews with terminally ill people convinced her most people experienced
several emotional reactions.
- Using her experiences, she described five reactions that represented the ways people
dealt with death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
• Although they were first presented as a sequence, it was subsequently realized the
emotions can overlap and be experienced in different order.
• Although she believed these five stages represent the typical range of emotional
development in the dying, Kübler-Ross cautioned not everyone experiences all of them or
progresses through them at the same rate or in the same order.
• We could actually harm dying people by considering these stages as fixed and universal.
- Individual differences are great.
• Emotional responses may vary in intensity throughout the dying process.
• The goal in applying Kübler-Ross’s ideas to real-world settings would be people achieve an
appropriate death: one that meets the needs of the dying person, allowing him or her to
work out each problem as it comes.
1.1. A Contextual Theory of Dying:
• Corr identified four dimensions of the issues or tasks a dying person faces from their
perspective: bodily needs, psychological security, interpersonal attachments, and spiritual
energy and hope.
- This holistic approach acknowledges individual differences and rejects broad
generalizations.
• Corr’s task work approach also recognizes the importance of the coping efforts of family
members, friends, and caregivers as well as those of the dying person.
• Kastenbaum and Thuell argue what is needed is an even broader contextual approach that
takes a more inclusive view of the dying process.
- They point out theories must be able to handle people who have a wide variety of terminal
illnesses and be sensitive to dying peoples own perspectives and values related to death.
• The socio-environmental context where dying occurs often changes over time and must be
recognized.
