Final answer:
The study by Maxfield et al. (2007) suggested that older adults coped with thoughts about death differently from younger adults, potentially due to factors like religious or spiritual beliefs and the social support from religious communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the study conducted by Maxfield and others in 2007 regarding thoughts about death and punishment, it was found that older adults who thought about death responded differently compared to younger adults. The differences in responses between the age groups could be influenced by various factors such as life experiences, religious or spiritual beliefs, and the potential for having greater social support from religious or spiritual communities. Studies have indicated that individuals with religious or spiritual beliefs may cope better with the concept of death due to the hope in an afterlife and the social support obtained from their religious affiliations.
It is important to note that coping mechanisms and responses to thoughts of death can be quite personalized, as not everyone experiences the same negative emotions that are often expected or outlined in models like the Kübler-Ross model. The study highlights the complexity of how different age groups might process and deal with the reality of mortality.