Psych chapter 18 class notes.

Continued

- Developmental psychologists Baltes and Baltes focus on the selective optimization model. -Suggests that older people overcome changes and losses in older age according to the principle of Selective Optimization, where people concentrate on a particular skill areas to compensate for losses in other areas.

Activity theory

-According to Activity theory, successful aging occurs when people maintain the interests, activities, and social interactions with which they were involved during middle age. -Happiness and satisfaction with life are assumed to spring from a high level of involvement with the world.

Continuity and Change in Personality During Late Adulthood

-Erikson labeled the last stage of personality development EGO-integrity-versus-despair, which is characterized by a process of looking back over one's life, evaluating it, and coming to terms with it.

A general model of successful aging

-Good physical and mental health are important in determining an elderly person's sense of well-being. -Financial security and a sense of autonomy and independence also gives one's later life a significant advantage. -A positive outlook on life helps people view their old age more favorably.

Erikson continued..

-Integrity comes when people feel they have realized and fulfilled the possibilities that have come their way. -Despair occurs when people feel dissatisfied with their life, and experience gloom, unhappiness, depression, anger, or the feeling that they have failed.

Successful Aging: What is the Secret?

-No proven way to age successfully. -How people age depends on personality factors and personal circumstances. -2 major approaches provide alternative explanations: -Disengagement theory. -Activity Theory.

Disengagement theory

-People can become more reflective about their lives. -People can become less constrained by social roles. -People become more discerning about relationships, which can help them adjust to increasing frequency of serious illness and death among their peers. -Disengagement is not an automatic, universal process for all people in late adulthood.

Activity theory continued...

-When it is no longer possible to work, successful aging according to activity theory suggests that replacement activities can be found. -Being involved in any activity just to remain active may not always contributes to happiness and satisfaction. -Some people are happier when they can slow down and only do those things that bring them the greatest satisfaction.

both theories

-neither theory provides a complete picture of aging. -Which they best explains successful aging may depend on one's behavior prior to late adulthood. -Those active in youth better off with activity. -Those that were uninvolved/socially independent may be more satisfied with disengagement.