Theories of Aging

Question 1

What are the 4 categories of Aging Theories?

Answer 1

Stochastic
Non-Stochastic
Psychosocial
Psychological

Question 2

Identifies episodic events that happen throughout one’s life that cause random cell damage and accumulate over time, thus causing aging

Answer 2

Stochastic

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

Free Radical Theory

Question 4

Cells and tissues have vital parts that wear out resulting in aging

Answer 4

Wear & Tear Theory

Question 5

The proponent of the Wear & Tear Theory

Answer 5

Dr. August Weissman

Question 6

View aging as a series of predetermined events happening to all organism in a timed framework

Answer 6

Non-Stochastic Theories

Question 7

Each cell, or perhaps the entire organism, has a genetically programmed aging code that is stored in the organism’s DNA

Answer 7

Biological Clock Theory

Question 8

Changes in hormone secretion such as releases from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Answer 8

Neuroendocrine Theory

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Immunological Theory

Question 10

It is important to stay occupied and involved in order to have a satisfying life

Answer 10

Activity Theory

Question 11

Proponents of Activity Theory

Answer 11

Havighurst and Albrecht (1953)

Question 12

Aging is characterized by gradual disengagement from society and relationships. This disengagement is said to be beneficial for the older adults and the society

Answer 12

Disengagement Theory

Question 13

Proponents of Disengagement Theory

Answer 13

Cummin and Henry

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Person-Environment-Fit Theory

Question 15

Proponent of Person-Environment-Fit Theory

Answer 15

Lawton (1982)

Question 16

It suggests that aging individuals undergo a cognitive transformation from a materialistic, rational perspective toward oneness with the universe

Answer 16

Gerotransedence Theory

Question 17

Hierarchy of five needs motivates human behavior: physiologic, safety and security, love and belongingness, self-esteem and self-actualization

Answer 17

Maslow’s Human Needs Theory (1954)

Question 18

Personality develops over a lifetime and is composed of an ego or self-identity that has a personal and collective unconsciousness

Answer 18

Theory of Individualism

Question 19

The proponent of the Theory of Individualism

Answer 19

Jung (1960)

Question 20

Successful aging emerged from his study of psychological processes across the lifespan, Individuals learn to cope with the functional losses of aging through the processes of selection, optimization, and compensation

Answer 20

Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory

Question 21

The proponent of Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory

Answer 21

Balte (1987)

Question 22

The interacting elements of Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory

Answer 22

Selection
Optimization
Compensation

Question 23

Stages throughout the life course. Each represents a crisis to be resolved

Answer 23

Erickson’s Eight Stages of Life (1983)