There is much more to the nuns' story re Alzm. Unfortunately Joan and others did not elaborate on the environmental factors.As a matter of fact we may tend to commit the fundamental attribution error by underestimating the power of the situation.I lived a short time as a Trappist novice at the Abbey of Gethsemani and I can say that there are certain conditions that contribute to that aging with grace.Here are my thoughts about the cenobitic monastic and cloistered nuns paradigms. 1) There are the constancy of conditions-things do not change much and this routine could enhance memory 2) Social support-a high degree of interdependence 3)Adjustment to repetitions ,for example,prayers 4)Chanting and signing-these can strenghten memory 5) Liturgical episodic events enhance memory 6)Visitations-very meaningful 7)Monastic grounds surrounded by olfactory environments-this has been known to affect memory and of course the frequent use of incense in the liturgy 8) The cemetery on the monastic grounds-this can serve as a daily reminder of one's mortality
Michael "omnicentric" Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=10249 or send a blank email to leave-10249-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
