In chapter 12 the learner learns about late adulthood. The chapter talks about different theories of late adult hood and all the difference aspects of late adulthood. In this blog, the learner will learn about two different theories. One theory being Erik Erikson's "old age" theory and then Activity Theory (havighurst, 1961).
Erik Erikson theory of old age is his eighth and final stage in life. In this stage, he named it the integrity vs. despair stage. He says this stage is for adults ages 60 until death. Erikson says "integrity refers to the ability to integrate or satisfactorily blend one's history and experience with the task of evaluating and accepting one's life" (Ashford & Lecroy, 2013). Erikson had discovered that the older people got, the more they would reflect back and see how meaningful their life was. This mean they then would feel satisfied and then develop integrity.
The next theory that the learner will look at is the Activity Theory. This theory is more focused on change than continuity and "applies social role theory to late life" ( Ashford & Lecroy, 2013). "This theory is simply that older people experience greater subjective well being when they continue to be active in many roles" ( Ashford & Lecroy, 2013). Activity Theory shows that being successful in aging can depend on adapting or substitution for roles that may not longer be available.
References:
Ashford, J., & Lecroy, C. (2013). Human behavior in the social environment: A multimensional perspective (5th Ed.). Australia: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
I used both of these theories as well for my comparison. Throughout this semester I have really pondered about the continuity theory. I have thought about is so much that I have asked everyone in my interviews if they believe they are the same person after all these years. I believe that people remain the same (within their core beliefs, morals etc) even through life events and growth.
ReplyDelete