Unit 4 P4 M2 D2 Effects of Aging
P4
Explain two theories of ageing
The Disengagement Theory
During 1961 authors Cumming and Henry developed a disengagement theory suggesting that older
individuals would naturally withdraw themselves from social situations with others as they aged. The
social opportunity to communicate with others regarding these older individuals would be
restricted. This could be due to issues such as;
Poor health: mobility, hearing or vision problems may make interaction between individuals
more difficult.
Geographical mobility: when individuals retire they often relocate to areas away from family and
friends, whilst family may relocate in order to seek better housing or better employment
opportunities.
Retirement: retiring from employment could mean less social contact between work colleagues.
Poor health of friends and family: friends or family members suffering from disabilities may have
reduced levels of social contact with the older individual.
Travel and technology: a number of older individuals do not have access to a car, mobile devices
or the internet which may limit opportunities for social interaction.
Cumming (1975) debated that older individuals would experience a decrease of social interaction
the older they became and they would become more of an individual, less concerned with other
individuals and their expectations. Cumming debated that it was appropriate and healthy for the
ageing population to withdraw themselves from social interaction and that it was a natural process
of ageing. The disengagement theory was widely accepted in the past, for example, Bromley (1974)
debated that ‘although some individuals fight the process all the way, disengagement of some sort is
bound to come, simply because old people have neither the physical nor the mental resources they
had when they were young’. Zimbardo (1992) debated that ‘The disengagement view of social
ageing has been largely discredited for a number of reasons’. A large number of elderly individuals
remain socially interactive with family and friends with a majority becoming increasingly involved
with close family members. This could be due to the older individuals wanting to spend time with
individuals they have close attachments to as opposed to creating new bonds with new individuals.
The Continuity Theory
Atchley (1989) emphasises the importance of continuing as the individual you have always been. For
a majority of individuals this involved the continuation of interests, hobbies, lifestyles and social
contacts of the past. It is important that the individual can proceed with developing an internal
sense of self-concept and self-esteem. Past memories may be important as they can aid an individual
in recalling their life story. The continuity theory also suggests that individuals will have a variety of
needs regarding activities. Some individuals may prefer to withdraw from social and physical activity
as they view themselves as an individual who is entitled to retire and embrace the disengaged
lifestyle. Other individuals may have lived actively throughout their lives, involved with friends,
family and hobbies and may be unable to disengage from the active lifestyle. Some individuals can
disengage easily without losing their sense of being whilst others needs to continue with an active
lifestyle in order to feel as though their lives are worthwhile.
M2
Discuss two major theories of ageing in relation to the development of the individual
The Disengagement Theory
This theory allows individuals to dissociate themselves, further suggesting that society responds to
the elderly populations’ disengagement with mutual recognition that the elderly individual will soon
be deceased and therefore, society must prepare themselves to operate in their absence. This
theory proposes that disengagement is natural and acceptable for the older generation. A majority
of individuals believe that in regards to this theory, elder individuals distancing themselves from
P4
Explain two theories of ageing
The Disengagement Theory
During 1961 authors Cumming and Henry developed a disengagement theory suggesting that older
individuals would naturally withdraw themselves from social situations with others as they aged. The
social opportunity to communicate with others regarding these older individuals would be
restricted. This could be due to issues such as;
Poor health: mobility, hearing or vision problems may make interaction between individuals
more difficult.
Geographical mobility: when individuals retire they often relocate to areas away from family and
friends, whilst family may relocate in order to seek better housing or better employment
opportunities.
Retirement: retiring from employment could mean less social contact between work colleagues.
Poor health of friends and family: friends or family members suffering from disabilities may have
reduced levels of social contact with the older individual.
Travel and technology: a number of older individuals do not have access to a car, mobile devices
or the internet which may limit opportunities for social interaction.
Cumming (1975) debated that older individuals would experience a decrease of social interaction
the older they became and they would become more of an individual, less concerned with other
individuals and their expectations. Cumming debated that it was appropriate and healthy for the
ageing population to withdraw themselves from social interaction and that it was a natural process
of ageing. The disengagement theory was widely accepted in the past, for example, Bromley (1974)
debated that ‘although some individuals fight the process all the way, disengagement of some sort is
bound to come, simply because old people have neither the physical nor the mental resources they
had when they were young’. Zimbardo (1992) debated that ‘The disengagement view of social
ageing has been largely discredited for a number of reasons’. A large number of elderly individuals
remain socially interactive with family and friends with a majority becoming increasingly involved
with close family members. This could be due to the older individuals wanting to spend time with
individuals they have close attachments to as opposed to creating new bonds with new individuals.
The Continuity Theory
Atchley (1989) emphasises the importance of continuing as the individual you have always been. For
a majority of individuals this involved the continuation of interests, hobbies, lifestyles and social
contacts of the past. It is important that the individual can proceed with developing an internal
sense of self-concept and self-esteem. Past memories may be important as they can aid an individual
in recalling their life story. The continuity theory also suggests that individuals will have a variety of
needs regarding activities. Some individuals may prefer to withdraw from social and physical activity
as they view themselves as an individual who is entitled to retire and embrace the disengaged
lifestyle. Other individuals may have lived actively throughout their lives, involved with friends,
family and hobbies and may be unable to disengage from the active lifestyle. Some individuals can
disengage easily without losing their sense of being whilst others needs to continue with an active
lifestyle in order to feel as though their lives are worthwhile.
M2
Discuss two major theories of ageing in relation to the development of the individual
The Disengagement Theory
This theory allows individuals to dissociate themselves, further suggesting that society responds to
the elderly populations’ disengagement with mutual recognition that the elderly individual will soon
be deceased and therefore, society must prepare themselves to operate in their absence. This
theory proposes that disengagement is natural and acceptable for the older generation. A majority
of individuals believe that in regards to this theory, elder individuals distancing themselves from
