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Unit 4 Development through life stages
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- PEARSON (PEARSON)
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40135191 Kofoworola AbdullahiP4 Explain two theories of ageing
The term ageing is the process of getting older. Each person experiences ageing
differently. There are three theories of ageing which include Disengagement theory,
Continuity Theory and Activity theory.
Disengagement theory
Disengagement means to separate yourself from people or social activities. In 1961
two authors called Cummng and Henry came together to form a disengagement
theory that said that older people mostly withdraw from social activities or interaction
with people as they get older.
Cumming(1975)said that older individuals as they get older will have less interest in
social contact and become more self concentrated and not really care about their
social contact with others. He also said it was natural for older people to withdraw
from others and that it was a natural part of ageing.
Zimbardo(1992) argued that most older people will retain social contact with their
friends or families as they age, it might be as a result of old people wanting to remain
friends with people they've known all their life instead of searching for new friends
The following are factors that can influence disengagement theory
Ill- health; Poor mobility for example inability to move without having joints pains
or problems with hearing or vision may affect older people's interaction with other
people, as it might be difficult for them to move around as they wish, Also being
hearing or visually impaired might affect older individuals socialisation and effective
communication with others.
Retirement; Retiring from work can affect an older individual which could lead to
disengagement theory as they do not have to go to work every day, which means
less social contact with people.
Geographical Mobility; Another factor that could cause disengagement theory is if
the older individual move to a far place from family, or even the family themselves
move due to employment opportunities or so, that will mean less social contact as
there is no family around.
Travel and technology; Some older people do not have access to a car, the internet
or mobile phone as this might limit the opportunity for social contact.
, 40135191 Kofoworola Abdullahi
Ill-health of friends and relatives; if friends or relatives have poor mobility or
disabilities they may have reduced social contact with the elderly. as they might not
be effective communication.
Many researchers nowadays do not agree with the disengagement theory. But it will
be important to note that when HENRY and CUMMING came up with the theory,
there were no internet or social media like we have it today, those days many older
people do not even have phones in their houses compared to now where there is the
social media,face-timing so a lot of social contacts can be made now compared to
then.
Continuity theory
Continuity theory (Atchley,1989) explains that older people tend to continue to be the
person they’ve always been, it explains that people will continue with their interests,
hobbies, lifestyle and still have the same social circles from the past, It says that a
person will probably continue with their activities because they might be memories
from the past that might be important to them and it will also explain what they most
love doing and what their life story is.
Continuity theory explains that people have different needs when it comes to
activity.while some people withdraw from social and physical activity because they
see themselves as a person who is meant to retire and adopt a disengaged lifestyle,
some people who may have lived with active involvement with family, friends or with
hobbies might not be able to cope without staying active. Some people can
disengage without losing the sense of who they are. Some people stay actively
involved with people or hobbies in order to feel that life is worthwhile.
P5 Explain the physical and psychological changes which may be associated
with ageing
Everyone physical and psychological changes at a point in their life, there are lots of
changes to be faced when ageing physically, emotionally and socially, below I am
going to describe some of these changes for my individual Morgan Freeman who is
already going through these experiences;
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