Ageing
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- Date Submitted: 04/17/2016 12:33 PM
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P4 – Explain two theories of ageing.
P5 – Explain the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing.
For this task I am going to be explaining two theories of ageing. The two theories I have chosen are social disengagement and activity theory. I will be researching both theories in detail and also be referring to Cumming and Henry. I will also be explaining in detail the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing.
Social Disengagement
Engagement means to be involved with and activity or a person. Disengagement is the opposite which means to withdraw form involvement. “In 1961, the first theory of ageing was formulated by Cumming and Henry. According to them “ageing is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and other in the social system he belongs to.” The disengagement theory states that as people age, they tend to withdraw from society and society withdraws from them. As people age they tend to grow more fragile and their social circles shrink as they start to pull away and are less actively involved in most activities. A lot of people point out that often this disengagement is enforced rather than voluntary. Cummings argued that older people would experience a reduction in social contact. So they would become increasingly ‘individual’ and less concerned with the expectations of others. He also argued that it was healthy and appropriate for older people to withdraw form others and disengagement was a natural part for everyone. (1 - sociology.about.com/social disengagement)
It was widely accepted in the past and it suggests that because of a biological recline, losing contact with other people is inevitable. However there is little statistical evidence to show that this is the case for everyone.
Ill health: They may have health problems or a disease that stops them from interacting with other people. Some of these could be...
P5 – Explain the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing.
For this task I am going to be explaining two theories of ageing. The two theories I have chosen are social disengagement and activity theory. I will be researching both theories in detail and also be referring to Cumming and Henry. I will also be explaining in detail the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing.
Social Disengagement
Engagement means to be involved with and activity or a person. Disengagement is the opposite which means to withdraw form involvement. “In 1961, the first theory of ageing was formulated by Cumming and Henry. According to them “ageing is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and other in the social system he belongs to.” The disengagement theory states that as people age, they tend to withdraw from society and society withdraws from them. As people age they tend to grow more fragile and their social circles shrink as they start to pull away and are less actively involved in most activities. A lot of people point out that often this disengagement is enforced rather than voluntary. Cummings argued that older people would experience a reduction in social contact. So they would become increasingly ‘individual’ and less concerned with the expectations of others. He also argued that it was healthy and appropriate for older people to withdraw form others and disengagement was a natural part for everyone. (1 - sociology.about.com/social disengagement)
It was widely accepted in the past and it suggests that because of a biological recline, losing contact with other people is inevitable. However there is little statistical evidence to show that this is the case for everyone.
Ill health: They may have health problems or a disease that stops them from interacting with other people. Some of these could be...