Megan Middleton Theories of ageing Unit 28. P1, P2, M1
P1- Explain the theories of ageing.
Sociological/ psychological theories of ageing:
Disengagement theory
The disengagement theory was formed by William Earle Henry and Elaine Cumming. They believe
that the disengagement theory is the primary social science theory of ageing. However, some people
disagree with this theory and it started further expansion of social science research regarding the
elderly and their roles within society. It also suggests that this theory has had an influence on the
way elderly people’s social lives change as they age.
Henry and Cumming expanded on this theory by explaining how the social theory alters as the
individual ages. They also talk about why the disengagement theory is the primary theory out of
them all. This theory was based on a study called 'the Kansas City Study of Adult Life', this study
monitored adults from middle to old age. Henry and Cumming formed 9 hypotheses regarding the
disengagement theory, these were;
"
Postulate 1- Everyone expects death, and one's abilities will likely deteriorate over time. As a
result, every person will lose ties to other in his or her society.
Postulate 2- Because individual interactions between people strengthen norms, an individual
who has fewer varieties of interactions has greater freedom from the norms imposed by
interaction. Consequently, this form of disengagement becomes a circular or self-
perpetuating process.
Postulate 3- Because men have a centrally instrumental role in America, and women a
socioemotional one, disengagement differs between men and women.
Postulate 4- The individual's life is punctuated by ego changes. For example, aging, a form of
ego change, causes knowledge and skill to deteriorate. However, success in an industrialized
society demands certain knowledge and skill. To satisfy these demands, age-grading ensures
that the young possess sufficient knowledge and skill to assume authority and the old retire
before they lose their skills. This kind of disengagement is effected by the individual,
prompted by either ego changes or the organisation - which is bound to organisational
imperatives - or both.
Postulate 5- When both the individual and society are ready for disengagement, complete
disengagement results. When neither is ready, continuing engagement results. When the
individual is ready and society is not, a disjunction between the expectations of the individual
and of the members of this social systems results, but engagement usually continues. When
society is ready and the individual is not, the result of the disjunction is usually
disengagement.
Postulate 6- Man's central role is work, and women's is marriage and family. If individuals
abandon their central roles, they drastically lose social life space, and so suffer crisis and
demoralisation unless they assume the different roles required by the disengaged state.
Postulate 7- This postulate contains two main concepts.
(a) Readiness for disengagement occurs if:
An individual is aware of the shortness of life and scarcity of time.
Individuals perceive their life space decreasing.
P1- Explain the theories of ageing.
Sociological/ psychological theories of ageing:
Disengagement theory
The disengagement theory was formed by William Earle Henry and Elaine Cumming. They believe
that the disengagement theory is the primary social science theory of ageing. However, some people
disagree with this theory and it started further expansion of social science research regarding the
elderly and their roles within society. It also suggests that this theory has had an influence on the
way elderly people’s social lives change as they age.
Henry and Cumming expanded on this theory by explaining how the social theory alters as the
individual ages. They also talk about why the disengagement theory is the primary theory out of
them all. This theory was based on a study called 'the Kansas City Study of Adult Life', this study
monitored adults from middle to old age. Henry and Cumming formed 9 hypotheses regarding the
disengagement theory, these were;
"
Postulate 1- Everyone expects death, and one's abilities will likely deteriorate over time. As a
result, every person will lose ties to other in his or her society.
Postulate 2- Because individual interactions between people strengthen norms, an individual
who has fewer varieties of interactions has greater freedom from the norms imposed by
interaction. Consequently, this form of disengagement becomes a circular or self-
perpetuating process.
Postulate 3- Because men have a centrally instrumental role in America, and women a
socioemotional one, disengagement differs between men and women.
Postulate 4- The individual's life is punctuated by ego changes. For example, aging, a form of
ego change, causes knowledge and skill to deteriorate. However, success in an industrialized
society demands certain knowledge and skill. To satisfy these demands, age-grading ensures
that the young possess sufficient knowledge and skill to assume authority and the old retire
before they lose their skills. This kind of disengagement is effected by the individual,
prompted by either ego changes or the organisation - which is bound to organisational
imperatives - or both.
Postulate 5- When both the individual and society are ready for disengagement, complete
disengagement results. When neither is ready, continuing engagement results. When the
individual is ready and society is not, a disjunction between the expectations of the individual
and of the members of this social systems results, but engagement usually continues. When
society is ready and the individual is not, the result of the disjunction is usually
disengagement.
Postulate 6- Man's central role is work, and women's is marriage and family. If individuals
abandon their central roles, they drastically lose social life space, and so suffer crisis and
demoralisation unless they assume the different roles required by the disengaged state.
Postulate 7- This postulate contains two main concepts.
(a) Readiness for disengagement occurs if:
An individual is aware of the shortness of life and scarcity of time.
Individuals perceive their life space decreasing.
