Intro to Sociological Theories of Aging Flashcards
what is activity/continuity theory?
older adults remain engaged in society by substituting new social activities or continuing activities
most common research in activity/continuity theory?
cross-sectional research
what are critiques of activity/continuity theory?
- assumes access to resources and autonomy
- ignores structural barriers
what is disengagement theory?
mutual withdrawal between individuals and society is functional in industrialization because individual is free from social norms/roles (more life satisfaction) and more space for younger workers
what are critiques of disengagement theory?
- old people help industrialization via making up most of volunteers
- old people may provide childcare for adult children with kids
what is exchange theory?
industrialization lowers the social position of older adults due to decline in power resources resulting in unequal social exchange
what are critiques of exchange theory?
- lacks intersectionality
- ignores outliers
what is modernization theory?
industrialization lowers the social position of older adults due to devaluing of old knowledge with development of mass public education
what are critiques of modernization theory?
- ignores intersectionality
- ageist- assumes old people can’t learn new things
- idealizes the past
- is it really industrialization or is it capitalism?
what is age stratification?
how age is a characteristic of society; society is differentiated into age strata, each with distinct social expectations and role opportunities
what is age integration?
age doesn’t determine deservingness of access to resources and opportunities
what is a life course approach?
how historical time and social structure shape life transitions
what are cohorts?
groups from both during a certain historical time / who lived through/were exposed to a common major event
what are generations?
kind of social location based on cohort status
what is age stratification theory?
cohorts move through differentiated age strata of a society
what is social constructionism in regards to age?
how we interpret meaning of age as a social process, which shapes our interactions, behaviours, and practices
what is political economy of aging theory?
different economical interests are entertained depending on how age is viewed
what is critical gerontology?
challenges status quo; gives voice to under-represented/marginalized; make ideology visible
what is feminist gerontology?
how gender(relations) structure life course
what is a critique for critical/feminist gerontology?
biased, you find what you seek
what is agency principle?
we have individual agency in shaping our identities and paths our lives take
what is the lifelong process principle?
aging occurs over our entire lives and earlier experiences affect subsequent events
what is the linked lives principle?
humans are interconnected
what is the principle of historical time and place?
personal life course is shaped by historical time, social context, and geo place
