Social Theory in Gerontology

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Social Theory in Gerontology

• Gero 300
• Sep 2008

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Theory

• The construction of explicit explanations in
  accounting for empirical findings. A review of
  causal relationships that connect processes and
  events.
• Types of theories Deductive and inductive around
  hypotheses, specific observations and development
  of theories.
• Facts, models and paradigms (page 58-59)-examples
  of paradigm shifts

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Barriers to Theory Development

• Gerontology tries to solve immediate problems,
  sometimes based on incorrect assumptions-reduce
  loneliness through pet therapy.
• Grand theories of generalization or post modern
  turn (page 60)-the social construction of
  knowledge.
• Why theories-integrate knowledge, offer
  explanations, provide predictions, offer
  interventions.
• Three foci of gerontology-the aged, the aging
  process, age as a dimension of social structure
  at micro and macro levels

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Activity Theory

• Micro level, aging problems can alleviated by
  engaging in activities in order to continue with
  psychological and social needs of earlier life.
  This can be achieved by taking on new roles,
  friends and activities
• Critique-Different meanings are ascribed to
  different activities. Not all psycho social needs
  are stable over the life course. Not all
  individual control their social situations-social
  class impact-difficult to measure outcomes of
  theory

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Disengagement Theory

• As we age we disengage and withdraw from social
  activities and social roles-a gradual mutual
  withdrawal from society as a whole with minimal
  impact on social equilibrium
• Not based on empirical support. Does Society
  benefit from the withdrawal of seniors?
• Problems with the many types of disengagement and
  has not examined carefully the cognitive
  processes involved in disengaging

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Second Generation TheoriesContinuity Theory

• Continuity holds that as we age people make
  choices to preserve with the past both internal
  and external. This theory posits that it is
  optimized when peoples lives change with
  personal preference, personality and social
  expectations. This theory lacks consideration of
  social structures-age, disability, income and
  does not adequately explain mal-adaptive
  behaviors in mid-life

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Social Exchange Theory

• Person to person interaction focused on
  calculation and negotiations that transpire
  between individuals as they seek to maximize
  rewards and minimize costs
• What resources do seniors bring to the table and
  how can this be equalized? (p67) Reciprocity is a
  key concept-more resources the more satisfying
  social relationships

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Age Stratification Theory

• See pages 68-70. Two key terms-cohort flow and
  individual aging-physiological and maturational
  change over time. Allocation is used to describe
  suitable roles for people at various age levels.
  This is based on factors such as cultural values
  and economic conditions. In this theory,
  socialization is used to describe the learning
  and internalization of the AS concepts.
• Structural lag is used to describe limited
  opportunity with the growing numbers of seniors

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Aging and Modernization

• Four aspects-health technology (p70)-economic
  modernization (new and specialized jobs which
  require special training and often location in
  urban areas)-urbanization which tends to lower
  the status of the aged and their familial
  roles-Education-children gain more knowledge and
  skill than their parents which again changes the
  status of the elderly. Look at the value
  issues-p71-decline in status, youth culture,
  value of work.

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Critique

• Theory is not explicit and needs to have more
  specific definitional terms
• It is ethnocentric, using developed societies as
  a norm
• May not be a linear concept, but more dynamic in
  nature.
• It makes people homogeneous and does not
  recognized the influence of social status and mix

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Political Economy of Aging

• The experience of old age can only be understood
  within the context of the economy-p72 The economy
  creates structural inequality, labels shape the
  experience of old age, social policy mirrors
  wider social inequalities, social policy reflects
  the dominant belief system, the role of the state
  in peoples lives as they age. Aging problems are
  socially constructed not biologically determined.
  Structural dependency is a key factor in Western
  society.

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Political Economy

• This theory links with AD and the constructed
  crisis of pop aging, and the distribution of
  capital resources. More people now exist on
  public pensions and state benefits

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Life Course perspective

• Dominant perspective in Gerontology with roots in
  age stratification (p 73). See def of life
  course, life span, life cycle, life history. Life
  history (page 74). Life span (p74). Life course
  (p74)
• The theory is based on socially marked sequence
  of transitions, linked with historical time and
  the cohort and period effect.
• Four major principles-shaped by historical and
  geographical placement-impact of transitions or
  events-lives lived interdependently-individual
  construct their life course by choice and action

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Life Course

• Critique-needs to articulate social structure and
  effect. Too micro focused. More explanation of
  life stage principles. Expand the concept of
  Agency-how do individuals shape or change
  structures-what is the dark side of
  agency-risk, stress, uncertainty

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Third Generation Theory

• Feminist Theory-examines gender and power
  relationships and how these are embedded in
  social processes and institutions (read p 78-79)
• Key principles are the social construction of
  gender, biological determinism, family and
  leisure patterns, social worth, attraction,
  social value, political power, social definitions
  and rules.
• How to give voice to womens issues as they age,
  rights to services and resources

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Critical Theory, Postmodernism and Productive
Aging

• CT seeks a self-awareness and a deconstruction of
  assumptions underlying mainstream gerontological
  theories and research-critiques the present
  social order and treatment of the aged (p80-81)
• PM-anti-theoretical, considers cultural and
  social contexts of aging and power relationships
  between people and authority and public policy
• PA-how to maintain a productive potential as we
  age and bridging age transitions-eg. Caregiving,
  volunteering, education and training.