SOC 3714 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-5: Gerontology, Immunology, Senescence
19 May 2018
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Ch 1: The Field of Gerontology
❖ Defining the terms
➢ Gerontology = scientific study of the biological, psychological, ajd social aspects
of aging.
■ Originiated late 19th century w/ science of sensescence
● Senescence = application of evolutionary priinciples to understand
decline leading to death in humans and living organisms
◆ Argues death is part of natural selection (get rid of
old/tired)
■ 1904 immunologist Elie Metchnikoff coined “gerontology”
■ 1930s gerontology expanded to include social and bio aspects of ging
■ 1938 first interdisciplinary research in social gerontology
■ Social gerontology - social aspects of aging (not physical or bio)
● Use research from all social sciences to look at how bio process
of aging influence social aspects
❖ Successful Aging
➢ Early studies: focus on crisis of growing old
➢ Now: successful aging depends on prevention of disease/disability AND
attainment of peak physical and psychological functioning plus participation in
rewarding social/productive activiiteis
➢ Want to create healthy, fulfilling life
■ Achieved by: setting goals , working to achieve goals, participation in
meaningful activities
■ Both society and individual involved
■ Factors include physical health, cog functioning, adequate social
resources
■ Varies by personal traits (race, sexxual orientation, gender, SES)
■ May include acceptance that aging is natural and does lead to limitations
❖ Defining old age:
➢ Chronological age: arbitrary marker but helps make clear decisions
■ 65-=old b/c get SS benefits and Medicare but it’s increasing to 67 so then
will 65 not be old anymore?
■ Some people may be “old” at 50 but others still seem “young” at 80
■ Problematic b/c lumps together people of very different generations into
one category
● Exp 65 year old and 85 year old are both called “old” but VERY
different from each other
■ Chronological age as a marker is often divided into subcategories to help
with these problems
● Young-old 65 to 74
● Middle-old 75-84
● Oldest-old 85+
➢ Social roles and age
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■ Define people as old according to social roles they play
■ Social roles = sets of expectations or guidelines for people who occupy
given positioins such as widow, grandpa, retiree
■ BUT playing role associated with an “old” social position doesn’t mean
you are old
● May be able to retire early or be a young grandparent
➢ Functional Age
■ Based on how people look and what they can do
■ “Old” when you can no longer perform major roles of adulthood
■ Measured by physical changes like stiff joints, less short term memory,
les skin elasticity, less aerobic capacity
■ People age in diff ways, at diff speeds, and diff parts of same person age
at diff rates too
■ Also determined by appearance: gray hair and wrinkles = old
● But cosmetic procedures may abscure normal signs of physical
aging
■ Functional creteria may be MISLEADING
■ Better classification = 3 categories
● “well”= healhty, active, involved in activities and employed or
volunteer, family responsiblilites, fully engaged in community life
● Somewhat impaired = transitional state. Beginning of chronic
ailments, need some assistance, participate in many aspects of
life but may need support
● Frail elderly = mental or physical deterioration, depend on others
for daily activities, may be in institutions, STILL CAN IMPROVE
(tai chi)
➢ Subjective Age
■ Limitations of functional aging can be compensated for
● To-do lists, wear glasses, exercise
● If succesfful in compensating for functional limitations then
maintain subjective age identity of themselves as young
■ Most imp factors are activity level and health
● If feel old often have an inncident that made them feel old (heart
attack or woke up tired etc)
■ Also influenced by social class
● Lower SES view old age as occuring at younger age
● Perceptions due to pessimistic feelings about their health
● Health = most imp factor in determining subjective age identity
■ Also influenced by gender
● Women hold more youthful age identites than men
◆ Women evaluated on phsycial attractiveness or
reproductive potential thus aging is negative
● Aging men viewed with greater competence and sutonomy and
earnings tend to peak in middle age
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Gerontology = scientific study of the biological, psychological, ajd social aspects of aging. Originiated late 19th century w/ science of sensescence. Senescence = application of evolutionary priinciples to understand decline leading to death in humans and living organisms. Argues death is part of natural selection (get rid of old/tired) 1930s gerontology expanded to include social and bio aspects of ging. 1938 first interdisciplinary research in social gerontology. Social gerontology - social aspects of aging (not physical or bio) Use research from all social sciences to look at how bio process of aging influence social aspects. Early studies: focus on crisis of growing old. Now: successful aging depends on prevention of disease/disability and attainment of peak physical and psychological functioning plus participation in rewarding social/productive activiiteis. Achieved by: setting goals , working to achieve goals, participation in meaningful activities. Factors include physical health, cog functioning, adequate social resources. Varies by personal traits (race, sexxual orientation, gender, ses)
