In the study of aging, our understanding of issues is always colored by the training and perspectives of the researchers whose work we read. The purpose of this paper is to examine the interdisciplinary nature of gerontology. The disciplinary perspectives to be considered are psychological, sociological, and economic. Psychological Sociological Economic
Pressman & Cohen (2005) -Positive affect, which is about pleasurable engagements with others and the environment can have a considerable impact on the physical health and well-being of the older community-dwelling individuals.
-Positive affect is associated with health protective responses and thus decreased symptoms, pain, and lower morbidity.
Levy (2003) -Levy (2003) notes that there
…show more content…
Meiners (2014) -Analyses the economic potential of aging and compares them primarily from a consumables perspectives.
-Investigates demography-related consequences in terms of demand behavior of the older consumers.
A Summary Comparing and Contrasting the Three Perspectives of Aging: Psychological, Sociological, and Economic
The paper presented three different perspectives that are regarding aging and subsequent consequence of loss of independence. The three perspectives highlighted are psychological, sociological, and economic. To begin with is the psychological perspective. The articles considered are ‘Does Positive Affect Influence Health?’ by Pressman and Cohen (2005) and Mind Matters: Cognitive and Physical Effects of Aging Self-Stereotypes by Levy (2003). These look at how a person’s one’s cognition is affected by the outward behaviors of another or self. Pressman and Cohen (2005) posit that positive affect is associated with health protective responses and thus decreased symptoms, pain, and lower morbidity among the aged populations. Levy (2003) posits that that self-aging stereotypes, which is psychological, have a
Positive concepts view health as a state of well-being as an individual might feel well even if they have a disease. When asked how they feel they might express that they 'feel great today' even if they are suffering from a serious illness.
These stereotypes, however, are very far from the truth about what occurs during the late adulthood stage. They stem from a form of prejudice referred to as ageism (Berger, 2008). Gerontologists define ageism as “A form of prejudice used to categorize and judge individual based on their chronological age only” (Berger, 2008, p. 615). The issue of ageism can promote patronizing treatment toward persons in the late adulthood stage and even foster discrimination. For example, people in the West unconsciously process
Gerontology as a field of scientific study can be traced back to the late 1800s; a time when research primarily focused on the negative attributes of aging, such as health decline. It wasn 't until the introduction of social gerontology in 1983 that researchers began to more rigorously study the psychological and social aspects of aging. In recognizing that “successful aging depends not just on the prevention of disease and disability, but also on the attainment of peak physical and psychological functioning,” (Quadagno,
For instance , growth and development, beauty, good health, happiness are more likely to be listed as characteristics of being under sixty five years, whereas decline health, loneliness undesired physical appearance are likely to be listed for person’s over sixty five years. According to the Centre of Confidence and well being (n.d) reports stereotypes of the elderly as being needy,
From the perspective of positive psychology, there is a well-being formula invested by Martin Seligman to achieve a higher well-being. Martin Seligman (2010) defined as happiness: H (to maintain the length of happiness) = S (happy range breadth) + V (you can control the factors) + C (your living environment). Happy length: the distinction between "temporary" happy and "persistent" happy. Temporary happiness can be achieved by food, comedy, bunch of flowers. While the persistence of happiness is mainly affected by genetic, and this genetic trait can be changed. The breadth of happiness: psychologists think that we are born with a happy constant point, like a thermometer. If there is a happier thing, even if we are upset, it will be dedicated
Mrs Ann Smith is a seventy nine year old woman and she has several problems regarding her health and well-being in her elderly age. Many policies and legislation ensure the safety and well-being of the elderly such as Mrs Smith. Legislation and policies safeguard the elderly including Mrs Smith to receive the fair treatment of care and to stop discrimination and exclusion. Discrimination and exclusion is still prevalent today and within contemporary society the ageing population is rising, discrimination and exclusion could increase if it is not appropriately tackled by contemporary society today. There are numerous theories of ageing, some theories are disengagement theory, and the activity theory and these theories have developed key concepts and the effects of ageing on individuals and contemporary society today.
In the strength of positivity, an individual is often smiling, praising other people for their accomplishments, smiling and always keeping a positive attitude in every situation (Rath, 2007). The eager for enjoyment in life is very attracting, as an individual with positivity strength views the world in a better place. As this person comes in contact with other people in this world, a positive vibe is transformed into their lives. Even if negative things are happening around this individual, the positivity strength defeats and overcomes the negative energy (Rath,
Physically, an individual may lower his blood pressure and heart risk, may heal from illness, and may live longer. It also helps the brain to function better by learning new skills and behavior. In terms of relationship, people become more cooperative and starts to appreciate and collaborate with other people. Positive emotion also broaden the possibilities in perceiving experiences beyond the narrow range of survival. It allows the individual to open their mind and heart to new ideas so that they could see the bigger picture more accurately to create a better strategies in coping. It makes the individual more optimistic, confident and creative in creating a decision that promotes a win-win
Another supporter of changing the way aging is conveyed is author, Margaret Cruiksbank, of the book, Learning to be Old. In her book she is a proponent of changing the way the aging process is described. Her position is that the underlying meaning of popular terms to describe aging weakens its value. She denotes that the term “successful aging” is a false phrase for the elderly as it “masks both the wish to continue mid-life indefinitely and the white, Middle-class, Western values of researchers, causing them to emphasize productivity, effectiveness and independence” (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 2). She also concludes that the term “productive” aging symbolizes “economic usefulness and social conformity” (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 2), especially for the female gender. More importantly, these terms can be used to measure. This ability to measure is subjective to the questioner and an individual’s self-worth. She suggests the term “aging comfortably” as it signifies easiness, and a “faint hint” of pleasurable self-indulgence which may not have been possible in younger years (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 3).
Aging! We all do it every day, but have you ever thought how it is going to affect the rest of your life or more importantly your career? Aging isn’t something that we get to choose if we participate in, however working is, and aging may affect that choice. Right now, I want you to think about the age of sixty-five. What words pop into your head when you think of someone sixty-five? I’d imagine some of the words you thought of were retired, old, fragile, slow, as well as many others. Those words right there all help to explain the many concerns that one’s employer may have when hiring someone that is of the older population. When we think of the older population in the work force we don’t necessarily think of positive things, instead we think of things. When we think of this population in the workforce we generally think of lower production rates and higher costs. These can create issues among the older population, as employers must consider all the possibilities when hiring someone. We know that more people in the older population are continuing to try to continue their careers, but why? How hard is it for them to continue? What changes have made it easier? How are the younger and middle aged populations perceiving them in the work place? This are only some of the many question surrounding the increase of aged workers.
In the era of globalization, with the advent of new medicines have revolutionized the modern day health care. Such advancements in medicine field have enabled our older adults to live longer. The discussion of whether the growth of the population of the old people has impact in our future or not is a debatable topic, with each side has its logical argument. This essay will further elucidate how the growth of elderly demography has impacted our society at large.
They influence one's ability to take action for his own health. Positive attitude and beliefs could eventually lead to better perception towards one's health and would prompt an individual to participate and take an active role in his care.
Knowing and having an understanding of what ageing stands for, remains an important step, growing-up or growing older and ageism are theories about older individuals. Ageism includes preconceptions that elderly are categorized for their age and perceived as weak, and incapable of performing tasks and needy of others (Quadagno, 2014). Another view about elderly individuals is the way they are looked down on by the younger society, i.e. elderly are not as intelligent as their younger competitive working force. People fear what they do not know and do not understand. Age transpires as something that must be lived through in order to understand what ageing means; looking back on one’s life and seeing accomplishments made,
WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE WE EXPERIENCE PLEASANT AND HAPPY FEELINGS. THIS BRINGS BRIGHTNESS TO THE EYES, MORE ENERGY, AND HAPPINESS. OUR WHOLE BEING BROADCASTS GOOD
According to the UN World Health Organization definition of aging over 65 years as "elderly", when the population of a region or country, the ratio of the elderly more than 7%, referred to as "aging society."