Social
Theory in
Gerontology
Gero 300
Sep 2008
Theory
• The construction of explicit explanations in
accounting for empirical findings. A review of
causal relationships that connect processes and
events.
• Types of theories: Deductive and inductive
around hypotheses, specific observations and
development of theories.
• Facts, models and paradigms (page 58-59)examples of paradigm shifts
Barriers to
Theory Development
• Gerontology tries to solve immediate problems,
sometimes based on incorrect assumptions-reduce
loneliness through pet therapy.
• Grand theories of generalization or post modern turn
(page 60)-the social construction of knowledge.
• Why theories-integrate knowledge, offer explanations,
provide predictions, offer interventions.
• Three foci of gerontology-the aged, the aging process,
age as a dimension of social structure at micro and
macro levels
Activity Theory
• Micro level, aging problems can alleviated by
engaging in activities in order to continue with
psychological and social needs of earlier life.
This can be achieved by taking on new roles,
friends and activities
• Critique-Different meanings are ascribed to
different activities. Not all psycho social needs
are stable over the life course. Not all individual
control their social situations-social class impactdifficult to measure outcomes of theory
Disengagement Theory
• As we age we disengage and withdraw from
social activities and social roles-a gradual
mutual withdrawal from society as a whole with
minimal impact on social equilibrium
• Not based on empirical support. Does Society
benefit from the withdrawal of seniors?
• Problems with the many types of disengagement
and has not examined carefully the cognitive
processes involved in disengaging
Second Generation Theories
Continuity Theory
• Continuity holds that as we age people make
choices to preserve with the past both internal
and external. This theory posits that it is
optimized when people’s lives change with
personal preference, personality and social
expectations. This theory lacks consideration of
social structures-age, disability, income and
does not adequately explain mal-adaptive
behaviors in mid-life
Social Exchange Theory
• Person to person interaction focused on
calculation and negotiations that transpire
between individuals as they seek to maximize
rewards and minimize costs
• What resources do seniors bring to the table and
how can this be equalized? (p67) Reciprocity is
a key concept-more resources the more
satisfying social relationships
Age Stratification Theory
• See pages 68-70. Two key terms-cohort flow
and individual aging-physiological and
maturational change over time. Allocation is
used to describe suitable roles for people at
various age levels. This is based on factors such
as cultural values and economic conditions. In
this theory, socialization is used to describe the
learning and internalization of the AS concepts.
• Structural lag is used to describe limited
opportunity with the growing numbers of seniors
Aging and Modernization
• Four aspects-health technology (p70)-economic
modernization (new and specialized jobs which
require special training and often location in
urban areas)-urbanization which tends to lower
the status of the aged and their familial rolesEducation-children gain more knowledge and
skill than their parents which again changes the
status of the elderly. Look at the value issuesp71-decline in status, youth culture, value of
work.
Critique
• Theory is not explicit and needs to have more
specific definitional terms
• It is ethnocentric, using developed societies as a
norm
• May not be a linear concept, but more dynamic
in nature.
• It makes people homogeneous and does not
recognized the influence of social status and mix
Political Economy of Aging
• The experience of old age can only be
understood within the context of the economyp72 The economy creates structural inequality,
labels shape the experience of old age, social
policy mirrors wider social inequalities, social
policy reflects the dominant belief system, the
role of the state in people’s lives as they age.
Aging problems are socially constructed not
biologically determined. Structural dependency
is a key factor in Western society.
Political Economy
• This theory links with AD and the constructed
crisis of pop aging, and the distribution of capital
resources. More people now exist on public
pensions and state benefits
Life Course perspective
• Dominant perspective in Gerontology with roots
in age stratification (p 73). See def of life course,
life span, life cycle, life history. Life history (page
74). Life span (p74). Life course (p74)
• The theory is based on socially marked
sequence of transitions, linked with historical
time and the cohort and period effect.
• Four major principles-shaped by historical and
geographical placement-impact of transitions or
events-lives lived interdependently-individual
construct their life course by choice and action
Life Course
• Critique-needs to articulate social structure and
effect. Too micro focused. More explanation of
life stage principles. Expand the concept of
Agency-how do individuals shape or change
structures-what is the “dark side” of agency-risk,
stress, uncertainty
Third Generation Theory
• Feminist Theory-examines gender and power
relationships and how these are embedded in
social processes and institutions (read p 78-79)
• Key principles are the social construction of
gender, biological determinism, family and
leisure patterns, social worth, attraction, social
value, political power, social definitions and
rules.
• How to give voice to women’s issues as they
age, rights to services and resources
Critical Theory, Postmodernism and
Productive Aging
• CT seeks a self-awareness and a deconstruction
of assumptions underlying mainstream
gerontological theories and research-critiques
the present social order and treatment of the
aged (p80-81)
• PM-anti-theoretical, considers cultural and social
contexts of aging and power relationships
between people and authority and public policy
• PA-how to maintain a productive potential as we
age and bridging age transitions-eg. Caregiving,
volunteering, education and training.