Lecture 1

Question 1

programmed theories

Answer 1

-Programmed Longevity: switching on and off of genes
-Endocrine theory: hormones control the pace of aging
-Immunological theory: immunity declines over time
-Hayflick Limit: cells only replicate around 50 times and then
become senescent

Question 2

damage or error theories

Answer 2

Wear and tear theory: body parts wear out
with use and stop functioning. Damage from internal and/or external causes
incompletely repaired cellular “insults” like ultraviolet
rays, radiation, viruses, bacteria etc
-Rate of Living Theory: higher basal metabolic rate = faster aging
-Cross Linking theory: accumulation of crosslinked
proteins that damage tissues and slow down
bodily processes
-Free radicals theory: highly active and short lived
molecules that damage cells
-Somatic DNA damage theory: accumulation of
genetic mutations
-Accumulation theory: Accumulation of
elements that interfere with proper cell function
(eg. Lipofuscin in the brain cells)
-Telomere theory: telomeres (ends of
chromosomes) shorten with each cell division and
once shortened, the cell stops replicating

Question 3

psychosocial theories of aging

Answer 3

-Disengagement Theory: some relationships between
seniors and society are severed and the remaining ones
are altered. Seniors slowly withdraw from all societal
involvement.
- Activity theory: society expects all people to be active,
energetic and industrial so seniors find other activities
to fill time. To maintain a positive self-image, new roles
must substitute for old ones. BUT: It’s not sufficient to
just be “busy”…needs to be engaging and fulfilling and
might change with age – business man doing yoga –
satisfying?
-Continuity theory: finding activity with the same
outcomes that was satisfying in younger years (work
or personal activities)

Question 4

other theories

Answer 4

Interoception: Self preservation

• The Saskatchewan Effect / Adversity Hypothesis
• Cumulative Insult Theory
• The Winning Effect

Question 5

agesim

Answer 5

discrimination/judgement based on age

Question 6

2 aging perspectives

Answer 6

1. Humanist perspective

2. Scientist perspective:

Question 7

humanistic perspective

Answer 7

-Aging as a journey
-Sense of completeness
-Fulfillment and self-meaning
-Accumulation of wisdom and
experience
-Connectedness

Question 8

scientist perspective

Answer 8

-Disease, decline and degeneration
-Measurable variables (VO2max, height, bone density,
physical function…)