Ageing Presentation
Gabrielle Elmes (497977) Unit 4 Task 3 Health and social care (level 3) 21/5/2020
P4-
I will be explaining two theories of ageing. The two theories I will be discussing are
social disengagement theory (Cumming and Henry, 1961) and Activity Theory
(Robert J Havigurst, 1961)
SOCIAL DISENGAGEMENT THEORY
This theory explains that older people will tend to withdraw themselves from social
contact with others because of natural ageing 1. McMahon Mary (2016) said that this
theory was originally proposed by Wiliam Henry and Elain Cumming in 1961. They
were two social scientists who studied ageing and the way interactions change as
people grow older. This theory was then put forward in 1961. It is known as a
functionalist perspective.
The theory proposes that as people grow older, they become detached with certain
people and activities. ‘Cumming (1975) was the one to argue that older people would
experience a reduction in social contact as they grew older’ (Stretch and Whitehouse
2010). This means that they will become a particularly isolated world as a natural
part of ageing.
Disengagement from society is not a choice for some ageing people 2. There are
issues and illnesses which prevent the older generation from engaging in society.
Problems which can limit their social interaction with age are: ill health, poor mobility,
hearing and vision problems etc. Poor hearing can cause social disengagement as it
makes it harder to communicate which will then lead to the older person disengaging
from society. Bromley (1974) explains how elderly people do not have the same
physical or mental capabilities to engage in society as they once did. Disengagement
may also be caused by a loved one's death. The other spouse may feel lost without
them which leads to restricted socialisation.
A weakness of this theory was argued by Zimbardo 3(1992) who said ‘the
disengagement view of social ageing has been largely discredited for a number of
reasons’. This tells us that the theory does not apply to all ageing people, as some
1 "Definition of the Disengagement Theory of Aging - ThoughtCo." 18 Jan. 2019,
https://www.thoughtco.com/disengagement-theory-3026258. Accessed 21 May. 2020.
2 "Disengagement Theory - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics."
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/disengagement-theory. Accessed 21 May. 2020.
3 "The Functionalist Perspective on Aging | Boundless Sociology."
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-functionalist-perspective-on-
aging/. Accessed 21 May. 2020.
1
, people still remain socially involved with friends and family. You might actually say
they come to rely on and become more social with people.
Another weakness of this theory4 is that it can not necessarily be applied to today’s
society. This is because of the invention of new technologies which makes
participating socially easier for older people. For example the telephone, cars,
facetime etc.
A strength of this theory is that it does explain the reason why older people do tend
to disengage from society. It also suggests that older people should retire and live
somewhat remotely from an area that is too busy. This is so they can have ‘peace’
after working all their lives, and getting to choose who they be social with rather than
all of society.
ACTIVITY THEORY
This theory was proposed by Robert J. Havigurst in 1961 5. This theory is described
as ‘a theory which argues that older people need to keep mentally and socially active
to limit social disengagement.’ To avoid disengagement, older people need to stay
active mentally and socially. This theory would say retirement is a positive thing
because it enables elderly people to do more of the activities they love, such as
gardening, going to the gym and taking part in social activities.
It proposes that as people age, they tend to give up activities and roles which makes
them experience a loss of identity (Kossuth and Bengtson, 1988)
Bromley 1996 agreed with the disengagement theory but argued that they still need
to remain active in older age. This theory destroys the idea of elderly people being
‘miserable’ as they have activities in their life which makes them have a happy
lifestyle. Activities for a healthy lifestyle while elderly could include walking, yoga,
gardening and swimming. Activities also play a role of restoration in older adults.
This is because they engage in activities that replace their old roles and
responsibilities to give purpose. Bromley also said that too much disengagement will
lead to ‘stagnation’ and the loss of mental and physical skills. This is why it is
important for elderly people to keep up activities.
The strengths of this theory are that it can increase your life and further the chance
of death in older age since the elderly are taking care of their wellbeing with
activities. In addition to this, it shows older people still have a social life and are still a
4 "Critiques of the Disengagement Theory of Aging - Health ...."
https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/aging/elder-care/disengagement-theory2.htm. Accessed 21
May. 2020.
5 "Activity theory (aging) - Wikipedia." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activity_theory_(aging). Accessed
21 May. 2020.
2
Gabrielle Elmes (497977) Unit 4 Task 3 Health and social care (level 3) 21/5/2020
P4-
I will be explaining two theories of ageing. The two theories I will be discussing are
social disengagement theory (Cumming and Henry, 1961) and Activity Theory
(Robert J Havigurst, 1961)
SOCIAL DISENGAGEMENT THEORY
This theory explains that older people will tend to withdraw themselves from social
contact with others because of natural ageing 1. McMahon Mary (2016) said that this
theory was originally proposed by Wiliam Henry and Elain Cumming in 1961. They
were two social scientists who studied ageing and the way interactions change as
people grow older. This theory was then put forward in 1961. It is known as a
functionalist perspective.
The theory proposes that as people grow older, they become detached with certain
people and activities. ‘Cumming (1975) was the one to argue that older people would
experience a reduction in social contact as they grew older’ (Stretch and Whitehouse
2010). This means that they will become a particularly isolated world as a natural
part of ageing.
Disengagement from society is not a choice for some ageing people 2. There are
issues and illnesses which prevent the older generation from engaging in society.
Problems which can limit their social interaction with age are: ill health, poor mobility,
hearing and vision problems etc. Poor hearing can cause social disengagement as it
makes it harder to communicate which will then lead to the older person disengaging
from society. Bromley (1974) explains how elderly people do not have the same
physical or mental capabilities to engage in society as they once did. Disengagement
may also be caused by a loved one's death. The other spouse may feel lost without
them which leads to restricted socialisation.
A weakness of this theory was argued by Zimbardo 3(1992) who said ‘the
disengagement view of social ageing has been largely discredited for a number of
reasons’. This tells us that the theory does not apply to all ageing people, as some
1 "Definition of the Disengagement Theory of Aging - ThoughtCo." 18 Jan. 2019,
https://www.thoughtco.com/disengagement-theory-3026258. Accessed 21 May. 2020.
2 "Disengagement Theory - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics."
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/disengagement-theory. Accessed 21 May. 2020.
3 "The Functionalist Perspective on Aging | Boundless Sociology."
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-functionalist-perspective-on-
aging/. Accessed 21 May. 2020.
1
, people still remain socially involved with friends and family. You might actually say
they come to rely on and become more social with people.
Another weakness of this theory4 is that it can not necessarily be applied to today’s
society. This is because of the invention of new technologies which makes
participating socially easier for older people. For example the telephone, cars,
facetime etc.
A strength of this theory is that it does explain the reason why older people do tend
to disengage from society. It also suggests that older people should retire and live
somewhat remotely from an area that is too busy. This is so they can have ‘peace’
after working all their lives, and getting to choose who they be social with rather than
all of society.
ACTIVITY THEORY
This theory was proposed by Robert J. Havigurst in 1961 5. This theory is described
as ‘a theory which argues that older people need to keep mentally and socially active
to limit social disengagement.’ To avoid disengagement, older people need to stay
active mentally and socially. This theory would say retirement is a positive thing
because it enables elderly people to do more of the activities they love, such as
gardening, going to the gym and taking part in social activities.
It proposes that as people age, they tend to give up activities and roles which makes
them experience a loss of identity (Kossuth and Bengtson, 1988)
Bromley 1996 agreed with the disengagement theory but argued that they still need
to remain active in older age. This theory destroys the idea of elderly people being
‘miserable’ as they have activities in their life which makes them have a happy
lifestyle. Activities for a healthy lifestyle while elderly could include walking, yoga,
gardening and swimming. Activities also play a role of restoration in older adults.
This is because they engage in activities that replace their old roles and
responsibilities to give purpose. Bromley also said that too much disengagement will
lead to ‘stagnation’ and the loss of mental and physical skills. This is why it is
important for elderly people to keep up activities.
The strengths of this theory are that it can increase your life and further the chance
of death in older age since the elderly are taking care of their wellbeing with
activities. In addition to this, it shows older people still have a social life and are still a
4 "Critiques of the Disengagement Theory of Aging - Health ...."
https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/aging/elder-care/disengagement-theory2.htm. Accessed 21
May. 2020.
5 "Activity theory (aging) - Wikipedia." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activity_theory_(aging). Accessed
21 May. 2020.
2
