Theories of Aging Flashcards
Wear and Tear Theory
Cell errors are result of wearing out over time.
E.g. shoulder joint in a basketball player
Cross-Linkage Theory
The Accumulation of errors by cross-linking (stiffening of proteins)
E.g. skin becomes more dry and inelastic with age
Free Radical Theory
MOST UNDERSTOOD
Free radicals are natural cellular by-products. Increase with pollutants. Damage eventually exceeds ability for cell to repair.
Neuro-endocrine/immunological
Aging is a result of changes in neuroendocrine and immune sys. Programmed immune cell death and increase of cellular radicals.
Disengagement theory
Old age is considered a time when person and society separate
Activity Theory
Maintaining active will result in successful aging.
Continuity Theory
People use continuity strategies to adapt to aging.
E.g. and older person who enjoys decorating is more likely to take up activity in same domain.
Social Exchange Theory
Cost-benefit model of social participation. Proves value of social exchange between generations.
Age-Stratification Theory
Older people are understood as belonging to specific birth cohorts
E.g baby boomers
Modernization Theory
Social changes have resulted in devaluation of the contributions of older people.
Symbolic interaction Theory
Aging process is a process a person experience is a result of social interactions. (physical, environment etc)
Jung Theories of Personality
Last half of life is time of inner discovery. Suggests movement form extraversion to introversion.
Theory of Gerotranscendence
Human age brings about potential for gerotrancendance, shift from material to cosmic world.
Erikson
Order of development and specific tasks associated with specific periods in the course of one’s life.
Havinghurst
Specific tasks must be accomplished in middle age to later maturity
Peck
specific tasks must be addressed to establish ego integrity.
Error/Stochastic Theories
- Accumulation of Errors
- Occurs with each replication
- Cross-link, wear and tear, oxidative
Programmed/nonstochastic Theories
- Predetermined age
Natural life expectancy
Chronological aging
Number of years lived
Biological aging
By person’s physical condition and by how well systems are functioning.
Psychological age
Ability to control memory, learning capacity, skills, emotions, judgement
Social age
Age-graded behaviours that conform to social norms
Structural Lag
Social structures are out of synch with population dynamics and individual lives
Stages of Greif
Affective - Distress, anxiety
Cognitive - Thoughts, concentration prob, hopeless
Behavioural - Tenseness, fatigue, weeping
Physio/somatic - Sleep disturb, energy loss
