Contemporary Theories of Aging free essay sample

Stability Template Model †¢Based on theories presented by Freud and other psychoanalysts †¢Individuals do not change once they become adults †¢Is an individual’s identity is stable over time, he or she will react to stress and life’s events in a consistent manner †¢Erikson describes the take during midlife as generativity versus despair; establishing and guiding the next generation †¢Erikson describes the task during later life as integrity versus despair; people reviewing their lives to assess whether they have become who they wanted to be . Orderly Change Model †¢Is a stage theory †¢The individual’s identity is formed early in life but changes through interaction with the environment †¢Adults in midlife examine their current life and may make a new life based on changing circumstances (Levinson) 3. Theory of Random Change Fate or non-normative events cause change in identity because of how individuals adapt to their new roles †¢Social change affects the behavior of a cohort (known as the cohort effect) †¢Individuals change over time in response to biological, cultural, psychological and sociological factors †¢Patterns or behaviors exist because cohorts are exposed to similar experiences †¢It is possible to predict the behavior of future generations Social Construction Theory Is related to symbolic interactionism †¢Actions and feelings of individuals have no intrinsic meaning of their own, but are given meaning based on expectations of society †¢People choose to act in a certain way based on personal interpretations of a situation †¢The Empty Nest Syndrome was identities as a crisis in the 1960s, but is not longer identified as one in the 1990s. We will write a custom essay sample on Contemporary Theories of Aging or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page (The way in which women interpret the situation has changed. ) The Seasons of Life Coming stages in life are defined according o the expectations of society as to when events should occur †¢The seasons are defined but the expectation about what is normal during that phase of life †¢Each stage is referred to as a season, e. g. , midlife and later life are considered fall and winter †¢Seasons are determined by both a biological and a psychological clock †¢The psychological clock refers to the meaning that individuals make of their own lives