Biological, Psychosocial, and Developmental Theories of Aging

¶ … Aging

Biological, Psychosocial, & Developmental Theories of Aging

Biological, Psychosocial, and Developmental Theories of Aging

Aging is a manifestation of events that occur over a span of time. This is not a uniform process, individuals' age differently, and there are major differences between normal, optimal, and pathological aging. As one ages the balance between gains and losses, such as becoming more intelligent and becoming less healthy, is thought to become less positive.

Biological Theories of Aging

Biological theories of aging classify aging as genetic (heredity) and non-genetic (wear and tear). Most believe that several mechanisms are operating at the same time to cause aging and there is probably not a single cause of death, but many causes. Current thinking includes 1) the vital substance theory -- we are all born with a certain amount of substance and as it is consumed we age and die, 2) the genetic mutation theory -- several types of gene mutations are known to occur, some are good and some are harmful, and 3) the reproduction exhaustion theory -- the idea that there is a burst of reproductive activity then a period of rapid aging followed by death.

Psychosocial Theories of Aging

Psychosocial is primarily characterized by behavioral changes. Sociologic changes refer to changes that relate to the environmental influences that contribute to and affect aging people. Each older person is an individual, and each life experience and each change in a person's environment has an effect on that person. This perspective holds that aging is defined as the transformation of the human organism after the age of physical maturity so that the probability of survival decreases. It is accompanied by regular transformations in appearance, behavior, experience and social roles. Psychosocial aging can be described as a result of the disuse of previously acquired skills, random wear and tear, and change in the ability to adapt due to environmental variables, loss of internal and external resources, and genetic influences over the life span. Social scientists agree that heredity is a major factor in determining the length of human life, although environment plays an important role in modifying the expected life span.

Developmental Theories of Aging

Developmental theory endeavors to understand the changes one goes through from their birth to their death. This perspective is continuous and recognizes the various developments that occur during specific age periods and is utilized in studies in many areas of science such as psychology and anthropology. Another attribute of this perspective is that it is contextual; an individual constantly acts and reacts to situations based on past events, biological makeup, physical environment and social and cultural events (Hernandez, 2008).

Three main developmental domains are recognized in this perspective (Boyd and Bee, 2006). The physical domain encompasses the bodily changes an individual experiences including transformations in height, weight, shape as well as puberty. Also included in this domain are an individual's perception of self and the world. The cognitive domain deals with events such as thinking, the process an individual goes through during while making decisions and memory. All cognitive functions are categorized within this domain. The third domain is social. This social domain encompasses the flux associated with relationships between the individual and others. Studies of social skills and research on individual differences in personality fall into this category.