Psychology of Aging
Aging of whole organisms is a complex process that can be defined as a progressive deterioration of physiological function, an intrinsic age-related process of loss of viability and increase in vulnerability. Many psycholological and physical changes in humans can be brought about by aging, it is the most normal and regular process that affect human beings either positively or negatively. The most important stage of aging can be felt in the transition period that is from middle to old age graying of hair, skin wrinkles, muscle weakening can be an indication of changes in age manifested by individuals as a measure of health and physical manifestations.
Most human beings identify with their bodies and aging of the body for instance naturally brings about the aging of mind accompanied by the decline of physical strength and at times psychological strength. In the end result the poor psychological health affects a great deal the physical well-being of an individual (Saberi Roy, 2009).
Historical Development of Theories of Aging
History has it that gerontologists tried to look for ways that might help them unravel the mystery of aging in humans, through this they had to look at the well-known historical literature among these the holy Bible, medieval allegories, Sanskrit, literature on archaeological findings and other ancient texts trying to explain individual differences in the well being and maintenance of competence through the various stages of live (Hall, 1922).
These models of aging typically can be said in reality to have a broad world view, for instance if we look at the biblical admonition it is believed that obedience to God's commandments would result into longer life.
However new historical literature contexts have resulted to new explanations of aging for instance the modern biological conception of the advantages of aging in female and the medieval explanations of older females as witches. But also there in are critiques included as in Hall's writings of the contemporary societal arrangements.
In Cowdry's classical opus problems of aging, numerous views of how complex aging can be maybe found. In his views Cowdry asserts that aging resulted from degenerative diseases to contentions that social context affects the expression of aging, this resulted to the difference other writers like Rowe and Kahn (1997) referred to the difference between normal and successful aging. The twentieth century has witnessed an accumulation of more scientific insights, resulting to a movement occurring from wider world views on the process of aging to more circumscribed theoretical models driven by perspectives which are disciplinary in nature notwithstanding the fads and explanatory frameworks that have waxed the scientific enterprise (Hendricks & Achenbaum1999).
Biological Theories of Aging
The biological theory behind the biological basis of human aging hold that senescence is as a results of genetically determined process, or base aging on stochastic theories that postulate senescence as the primary result of the random damage to the organism. Most recently however, the most popular biological theories include:
(a) The free radical theory- which has it that various reactive oxygen metabolites can cause extensive cumulative damage
(b) Caloric restriction- which holds that both lifespan and metabolic potential can be modified by caloric restriction (however so far it is not demonstrated in humans)
(c) Somatic mutation- which argues that genetic damage originally caused by background radiation
(d) Hormonal theories- which propose, for instance, that elevated levels of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex can cause rapid aging decline
(e) immunological theories- that equate aging to the decline in the immune system. Another well-known perspective is that the protective and repair mechanisms of cells are insu-cient to deal with the cumulative damage occurring over time, limiting the replicative ability of cells (Cristofalo et.al., 1999).
Stress Theories of Aging
Stress theories of aging have it that excessive physiological activation has pathological repercussion in that aging patterns differences are influenced by the neuroendocrine reactivity. However this focus of such theories does not specify on a particular disease outcome, but rather on the belief that neuroendocrine reactivity might be related generally to rising risk of disease and disabilities.
Mechanisms of stress are believed to interact with the age changes in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, which is one of the systems responding to stressors and homeostatic integrity maintenance in the body. Cumulatively individual difference in reactivity can lead to differences in neuroendocrine aging also on age related risks for disease. Also it is of importance to note that certain psychological factors can have an impact on endocrine reactivity. Type A behavior and the perceptions...
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