Sociology chapter 13

cohort

a group of people from a given time period

social gerontology

a specialized field of gerontology that examines the social (and sociological) aspects of aging

gerontacracy

a type of social structure wherein the power is held by a society's oldest members

secondary aging

aging that occurs due to controllable factors like exercise and diet

primary aging

biological factors such as molecular and cellular changes

activity theory (functionalism aging)

cummings and henry said elderly people need to find replacement roles for those they've lost; activity levels and social involvement are key to this process, and key to happiness

centenarian

one who is 100 or older

supercentenarians

people 110 of age or older

baby boomers

people born between 1946 and 1964

Challenges of Elderly

poverty, ageism, mistreatment and abuse

Senescence

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

Filial Piety

respect shown by children for their parents and elders

age stratification theory (Conflict + aging) Riley, Johnson, and Foner

suggest that members of society might be stratified by age, just as they are stratified by race, class, and gender.

subculture of aging (symbolic Inter. + aging)

suggests that elders will disengage from society and develop new patterns of interaction with peers who share common backgrounds and interests.

Modernization theory (Cowgill and Holmes) Conflict theory + aging

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

disengagement theory (functionalism aging)

suggests that withdrawing from society and social relationships is a natural part of growing old.

exchange theory (Dowd) Conflict theory + aging

suggests we experience an 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.

continuity theory (functionalism aging)

the elderly make specific choices to maintain consistency in internal (personality structure, beliefs) and external structures (relationships), remaining active and involved throughout their elder years

Gerotranscendence (Lars Tornstam) Symbolic Inter. + aging

the idea that as people age, they transcend the limited views of life they held in earlier times

Gerontology

the study of aging and the elderly

Thanatology

the study of death and dying

selective optimization with compensation theory (symbolic. Inter. + aging)

the theory that successful aging is related to three main factors: selection, optimization, and compensation