Socio Chapter 13

dependency ratio

As mentioned in the chapter, the _______________ is decreasing. (number of workers paying into SS vs. those who are collecting SS)

secondary aging

•Each person experiences age-related changes based on many factors. Biological factors such as molecular and cellular changes are called primary aging, while aging that occurs due to controllable factors such as lack of physical exercise and poor diet is called ______________

modernization theory

•argues that the primary cause of the elderly losing power and influence in society are the forces of industrialization and modernization.

social security and medicare

The U.S. government currently spends about 3 out of every 5 tax dollars on these two programs

ageism

discrimination (differential treatment) based on age. Dr. Robert Butler noted that ageism exists in all cultures. Ageist attitudes and biases based on stereotypes reduce elderly people to inferior or limited positions.

thanatology

is the systematic study of death and dying, wherein the concept of "dying with dignity" is important.

continuity theory

maintaining internal (personality structure, beliefs) and external structures (relationships), and even career type roles to make life more fulfilling

disengagement theory

• creating a smooth transition for those withdrawing from society and their previous positions and those entering them

life course

• is a sequence of predictable life events from birth to death, such as physical maturation. Each phase comes with different responsibilities and expectations whichvary by individual and culture.

senescence

• refers to the aging process, including biological, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual changes.

age stratification theory

•Another theory in the conflict perspective is ______________. They were the first to suggest that members of society might be stratified by age, just as they are stratified by race, class, and gender.

compensation theory

•Baltes and Baltes (1990) developed ______________ based on the idea that successful personal development throughout the life course, and the mastery of the challenges associated with everyday life are based on the components of selection, optimization, and compensation.

subculture of aging theory

•Rose's (1962) _________________, focuses on the shared community created by the elderly when they are excluded (due to age), either voluntarily or involuntarily, from participating in other groups. •This theory suggests that elders will disengage from society and develop new patterns of interaction with peers who share common backgrounds and interests.

gerotranscendence

•Swedish sociologist Lars Tornstam developed an SI theory called ______________ which is based on the idea that as people age, they transcend the limited views of life they held in earlier times. •Wisdom often comes to the elderly as they tolerate ambiguities and seeming contradictions. •They either let go of conflict and develop softer views of right and wrong, or they grow bitter and isolated, feel ignored and left out, or become grumpy and judgmental.

activity theory

•being involved in different activities makes life more fulfilling

gerontology

•is a scientific field that seeks to understand the process of aging and the challenges seniors experience as they age. They investigate age, aging, and the aged. Ex. What it is like to be an older adult in a society? How does aging affects members of a society?

exchange theory

•rational choice approach, suggests we experience increased dependence as we age and must increasingly submit to the will of others because we have fewer ways of compelling others to submit to us.