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Unit 18- Task 1A
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Task 1A includes P1- Describe what is meant by the 'ageing process' and M1- compare and contrast theories of ageing
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Unit 18, Task 1, Part A resub1.1-The ageing process
The ageing process is the destroying of the bodies DNA. The ageing process involves the body getting
weaker due to the mitochondria being affected, since the immune system is weaker, older people are
more susceptible to illnesses. During the ageing process many changes take place such as women going
through the menopause. As we age our physical appearance changes also, we develop wrinkles and our
hair starts to go grey. “Ageing, is progressive physiological changes in an organism that lead to
senescence (old age) or a decline of biological functions and of the organism’s ability to adapt to
metabolic stress.” “Ageing takes place in a cell, an organ, or the total organism with the passage of
time.”
1.2-The definition of ‘older person’
The older person, is someone who is over the age of 65 might be considered as an older person, this is
not true for everyone as biologically everyone can age at different rates, and this is due to how quickly
their bodies DNA is destroyed.
1.3-Theories of ageing
Biological theory- genetic pre- Psychosocial theory- Erinkson’s
programming theory life stage theory
They’re both an ageing process This theory looks at ageing all
but this is the theory of ageing being due to what happens
due to biological factors. mentally will affect how you
age.
This theory looks at the This theory looks at how Erikson
telemores getting shorter, maintained that personality
making your lifespan shorter. develops in a predetermined
“Ageing, progressive order through eight stages of
physiological changes in an psychological development.
organism that lead to Stage 1- Trust VS Mistrust
senescence (old age) or a (Hope)- this happens from 0-1
decline of biological functions and a half.
and of the organism’s ability to Stage 2- Autonomy VS Shame
adapt to metabolic stress.” and doubt (Will)- this takes
“Ageing takes place in a cell, an place from 1 ½ to 3
organ, or the total organism Stage 3- Initiative VS Guilt
with the passage of time.” “It is (Purpose)- this happens from
a process that goes on over the age 3-5
entire adult lifespan of any Stage 4- Industry VS Inferiority
living thing.” (Competency)- 5-12 years old
Stage 5- Identity VS Role
, confusion (Fidelity)- 12- 18
years old
Stage 6- Intimacy VS Isolation
(Love)- usually takes place
during the age of 18-40
Stage 7- Generativity VS
Stagnation (Care)- happens
from age 40- 65
Stage 8- Integrity VS Despair
(Wisdom), this is for 65 years
and older.
Two theories I have chosen are the genetic pre-programming theory, which is a biological theory and
Erikson’s life theory, a psychosocial theory.
A biological theory suggests “that biological timers called ‘telemores’, part of the chromosomes in every
cell that every genetic code, may be a factor in this”. Another theory is the wear and tear theory, this
theory suggests that as we age our bodies begin to physical weaken leading to wear and tear where we
are more susceptible to injury, due to a weakening in our body systems. This theory shows that ageing is
a process that takes place all the time, from the day we are born, and eventually it will result in old age.
Another biological theory is the genetic pre-programming theory, this suggests that ageing is already
pre-programmed into our body systems. “Programmed theories of ageing assert that ageing is an
essential part of the biology of humans and that ageing is programmed into our body systems.”
Psychosocial theories, such as Erikson’s life stage, suggests that it’s not all about lifestyle, as genetically
susceptible people may age even faster. Erikson (1963) maintained that personality develops in a
predetermined order through eight stages of psychological development. Overall, this theory suggests
that how you are mentally, affects how you age, so if you have had a lot of bad life experiences you will
age quicker. During the first stage, trust vs mistrust, the infant seems unsure about things going on
around them. This stage begins from birth and lasts until the child is around 18 months. The child relies
on the main caregiver to offer security during this uncertain time. During the second stage, called
autonomy VS shame and doubt, children are focused on developing a sense of independence, if they are
praised for their independence, they will become more confident over time, if not then they develop
learned helplessness, this happens when people just do things for the child instead of encouraging them
to be independent, they lose confidence also as a result of this. The third stage, known as initiative VS
guilt, is the stage that they learn to speak up for themselves, this is when play and activities become
child- led. At the stage of industry VS inferiority, it is at this stage that the child’s peer group will gain
greater impact on them and their self- esteem. During the stage of identity and role confusion,
teenagers, between the age of 12-18 years, they search for a sense of themselves and personal identity,
this happens through the exploring of personal values, beliefs and goals. The activity theory is another
psychosocial ageing process. It focuses around how much activity the person gets is responsible for how
they age.
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