Theories

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Stochastic Theories

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View aging as a series of adverse changes in the cells that lead to replicative errors, Occur randomly and accumulate over time. Wear and Tear Theory, Error Theory, Cross Link Theory, Free Radical Theory

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Wear and Tear Theory

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Based on the idea that continuous use leads to worn out or defective body parts, Ignores various repair mechanisms available to the body

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Error Theory

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Concerned with cumulative DNA and RNA mistakes, Random mistakes that are then copied and transmitted impairing cellular function

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Cross Link Theory

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Go from molecules that are loosely associated to those who are tightly associated making them more rigid, Affects the accessibility of white cells to fight infection, Decreases access to nutrition, Inhibits cell growth, Reduces the cells ability to eliminate waste, Age related changes to skin are best examples of this, elastin and collagen are primary

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Free Radical Theory

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Chemical by-products in normal cell metabolism involving O2, Unstable, only last a few moments, Highly reactive with other molecules, especially unsaturated fats, Normally protective enzyme systems deal with this, however some escape and accumulate in cell membranes, altering cell activities and killing the cells, With age the body’s ability to produce the enzymes decrease, Can be supplemented with vitamins and dietary supplements

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Nonstochastic Theories

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Aging is caused by replication errors in cells that are intrinsic or pre-programmed. Programmed Aging Theory & Immunological Theory

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Programmed Aging Theory

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Genetic or biological clock may determine the aging process

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Immunological Theory

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With age the body becomes less able to fight off antigens, Losses its ability to distinguish between antigens and the body’s own tissues

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Psychosocial Theories of Aging

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Underlying idea is that that earlier life events effect later life decisions. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs, Erikson’s Stage Theory of Development, Peck’s Tasks of Middle and Old age

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Maslow's Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs

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Hierarchy of needs that motivate human behavior
As the needs are met at one level they move to the next level

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Erikson's Stage Theory of Development

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Proposed a series of developmental crises that the individuals must resolve in either a predominately positive or negative fashion
The adjustments or attributes that the person chooses directs a person’s life

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(Erikson's Theory) middle age

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Generativity vs Ego Stagnation (pay attention to me or everyone else)
You start to realize that there is a finite period of time
You start to want to leave a legacy, Interests start to broaden to a more social perspective instead of yourself
If you do not resolve previous issues you become fixated on yourself

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(Erikson's Theory) late adulthood

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Ego Integrity (I had a good life) vs Despair (what could of happened), Reviewing one’s life, Reconcile ones failures and successes and put it into perspective, Feelings of self-worth and satisfaction start to occur as a result of knowing that they done the best that they can do, If life is seen as seen as a series of failures and the person feels that they were inadequate in how they met life’s challenges they will feel despair

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Peck's Tasks of Middle and Old Age

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Seven Specific Tasks that must be accomplished

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valuing wisdom vs. physical powers

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one of the seven tasks

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socializing vs. sexuality

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Urges broadening your requirements for a meaningful relationship away from sexuality

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Emotional Flexibility vs. Rigidity

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Flexibility involves the ability to reinvest emotional energies in new relationships and new roles as older, well-established emotional attachments undergo changes with age.
Those who can’t do this find themselves isolated

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Mental Flexibility vs. Mental Rigidity

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Helps you cope and adapt effectively

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older age tasks, Ego Differentiation vs. work role preoccupation

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You have to give yourself a sense of self-worth other than by your work role, ie you can contribute to your community in other ways than work

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Older age Tasks
Body Transcendence vs Body Preoccupation

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Have to rise above their preoccupation with their health related issues in order to derive more personal satisfaction from life

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Older age Tasks
Ego Transcendence vs Ego Preoccupation

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Must see beyond themselves and maintain an active interest in society and people in order to see their lives in a positive perspective

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Sociological Theories

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Care about the demographics of aging, particularly the baby boomers, network approaches which Links the social network, the structure of the network and the content of those relationships to health

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Theories of Successful Aging

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Disengagement theory
Activity theory
Continuity Theory
Socioemotional selectivity theory
Selective optimization with compensation model
Social-environmental theory

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Disengagement Theory

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Mutual withdrawal of older adults from society as society also withdraws from them, According to this theory, elderly individuals who willingly withdraw from society will successfully adapt to aging, Those who do not withdraw will not fulfill functional needs of society and will have a hard time adjusting to aging, If this theory is correct elder should enter into fewer relationships
Closeness of relationships should lessen
Lessening of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the relational network should be apparent

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(Disengagement Theory) mutuality

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Carry out a normatively defined mutual disengagement

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(Disengagement Theory) Insuitability

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The system’s needs are dealt with rather than personal needs and interests

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(Disengagement Theory) Universality

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disengagement from the elderly is a prerequisite for social stability

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Activity Theory

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Collection of research findings rather than one specific theory
Premise: Successful aging is linked to an active social life
Relationship between high levels of social interaction and high satisfaction with life, If this theory is correct an elderly individual should enter into frequent communication interactions
Relationships should have a high level of closeness
Conversation should reflect an interest in community events and other topics that are oriented toward others

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Continuity Theory

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successful aging is dependent on individual personality
Expect individuals to maintain personality characteristics across the life span, To successfully age, individual must maintain the communication personality

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Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

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Aging individuals reduce their number of overall communication partners, but maintain those relationships that provide the most satisfaction
Place more emphasis on few, closer relationships, Importance of these costs and rewards varies
Young adulthood: new contacts provide new information
Older adulthood: new relationships may be more costly re: energy and risk potential; contact with family and friends may be rewarding because of benefits to self-esteem, As we age, we learn how to reap more rewards from our relationships while lessening the costs, If this theory is correct Elder should communicate frequently with close relationships and less with distant relationships
Relationships should have a high level of closeness

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Selective Optimization with Compensation Model

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viewed aging as a life long adaptive process
“Don’t work Harder; Work Smarter”
Theory based on propositions of aging from a psychological point of view, With aging, the balance between gains and losses is less positive,Aging is an adaptive interplay of gains and losses
Compensate for restrictions as they occur, If this theory is correct, communication for the elderly should help the person maintain as many options as possible in selecting and optimizing the conditions of his or her life
Compensation should be used to maximize ability to continue controlling own life
Interactions should focus on maintaining a positive self-identity by allow person to retain as much control as possible

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Social-Environmental Theory

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Concerned with the pragmatic, functional impact of the environment on communication
Architectural design of nursing home
Wings do not promote interaction among residents
Proximity is related to determination of with whom we will enter a relationship
Age segregation can determine social contacts
External and internal factors are related to successful aging