Theories of Aging Flashcards
What are the 4 categories of Aging Theories?
Stochastic
Non-Stochastic
Psychosocial
Psychological
Identifies episodic events that happen throughout one’s life that cause random cell damage and accumulate over time, thus causing aging
Stochastic
Oxidative free radical theory postulates that aging is due to oxidative metabolism and the effects of free radicals, which are the end product of oxidative metabolism.
Free Radical Theory
Cells and tissues have vital parts that wear out resulting in aging
Wear & Tear Theory
The proponent of the Wear & Tear Theory
Dr. August Weissman
View aging as a series of predetermined events happening to all organism in a timed framework
Non-Stochastic Theories
Each cell, or perhaps the entire organism, has a genetically programmed aging code that is stored in the organism’s DNA
Biological Clock Theory
Changes in hormone secretion such as releases from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Neuroendocrine Theory
Describes the normal aging process of humans and animals as being related to faulty immunological function; decreased immune function due to shrinkage of the thymus, altered lymphocyte function, cell-mediated and humoral immune response
Immunological Theory
It is important to stay occupied and involved in order to have a satisfying life
Activity Theory
Proponents of Activity Theory
Havighurst and Albrecht (1953)
Aging is characterized by gradual disengagement from society and relationships. This disengagement is said to be beneficial for the older adults and the society
Disengagement Theory
Proponents of Disengagement Theory
Cummin and Henry
The capacity to function in one’s environment is an important aspect of successful aging, and that function is affected by ego strength, motor skills, biological health, cognitive capacity and sensori-perceptual capacity, as well as external conditions imposed by the environment
Person-Environment-Fit Theory
Proponent of Person-Environment-Fit Theory
Lawton (1982)