SOCI 373 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Disengagement Theory, Social Stratification, Human Capital
19 Jun 2018
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Theories in Aging
Activity (substitution) Theory- sought to explain ‘successful’ aging. Argued that individual
adaptation in later life involved continuing an active life. One must maintain activity. Individuals
should replace lost roles or social activities with new ones.
1. High activity and maintenance of roles is positively related to sense of self
2. A favourable sense of self is positively related to life satisfaction(adjustment, successful
aging, well-being)
Critiques- you can decrease activity levels without decreasing morale. Some people are never
socially active, yet maintain a high morale. Little consideration of quality or meaning of activities.
01/23/2018
Disengagement Theory- based out of SF shifted focus on individual to interaction between
individual and society. Argued that both individuals and society benefit from voluntary
disengagement from society. As older individuals disengage, they can be replaced by a younger
cohort. This is useful for individuals because they have less pressure to ‘behave’ and they can
deviate from social norms.
Dowd’s exchange theory- we can exchange benefits and rewards. (the chronological lag is
important). Macro sociological perspective. Older people have fewer resources and as a result
will encounter exchange imbalances.Critique- humans are not always rational.
Modernization- leads to decreased life expectancy and urbanization. Different cultures their
older adults in different ways.
Stress Process Perspective- (Pearlin) focus is on mental health, the way that different aspects
of the social world affect mental health. Exposure to stress fundamentally hinges on individual
placement in structures of social stratification
1. The exposure hypothesis- when individuals are more disadvantaged in structures of
power, privilege and prestige, they will be more exposed to stressors. As older adults
age the more disadvantages they are and therefore the more stressors they will be
exposed to. Acute stressors=negative life effects.
2. Vulnerability hypothesis- more disadvantaged individuals will be more affected by the
stressors (they have less resources to cope)
*Focus on structures of power, privilege and prestige*
Stress proliferation- when individuals are exposed to a stressor, this in turn leads to a number of
additional stressors (secondary stressors) ex. If you become disabled this may lead to isolation,
food insecurity, financial strain. SES condition each aspect of the stress process. The extent to
which primary stressors lead to secondary stressors is affected and differentiated by SES.
The experience of disability leads to the loss of mastery which leads to an increase in
depression.
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Document Summary
Activity (substitution) theory- sought to explain successful" aging. Argued that individual adaptation in later life involved continuing an active life. Individuals should replace lost roles or social activities with new ones: high activity and maintenance of roles is positively related to sense of self, a favourable sense of self is positively related to life satisfaction(adjustment, successful aging, well-being) Critiques- you can decrease activity levels without decreasing morale. Some people are never socially active, yet maintain a high morale. Little consideration of quality or meaning of activities. Disengagement theory- based out of sf shifted focus on individual to interaction between individual and society. Argued that both individuals and society benefit from voluntary disengagement from society. As older individuals disengage, they can be replaced by a younger cohort. This is useful for individuals because they have less pressure to behave" and they can deviate from social norms. Dowd"s exchange theory- we can exchange benefits and rewards. (the chronological lag is important).
