Activity Theory of Aging

4129 words 17 pages
Show More
RUNNING HEAD: ACTIVITY THEORY

Activity Theory of Aging
Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus
Jennifer L. Bifulco

Throughout this semester we have come across many psychological and social theories. From Vaillant’s aging well, to Erikson’s life stages, to Leont’ev’s activity theory, there is a lot to learn and to understand. For the purpose of this paper, I am going to focus on the Activity Theory of aging. After some thorough research on this topic I was able to come up with some great information about this theory that I will incorporate into this paper and make you understand the theory that way that I understand it. Activity Theory (AT) was initially developed by Leont’ev during the twentieth century in the former …show more content…

Within an activity system, all elements constantly interact with one another and are always in the process of working through changes. Research developed to test the AT has shown that most people do benefit from a high level of activity in age. For instance, The General Social Survey (an annual sampling of the American population designed by professors Jim Davis or Harvard University, and Tom Smith of the University of Chicago, and conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago), shows a much higher level of happiness among those who are most active at all stages in life. Research was also done and it was discovered that new activities are not necessarily substitutes for previous activities and that the quality of an activity is also important. People that engage in activities just for the sake of being “active,” can actually have negative effects from the activity. To be worthwhile, the activity must have a meaning to the participant. According to Lemon, Bengtson, and Peterson (1972), there are three activity types. These three activity types are informal, formal, and solitary. Informal activities are activities where you interact with friends and relatives. Formal activities are activities where a person participates in a voluntary organization. Solitary activities are activities that are just a pursuit of

Related

  • Explain Factors Influencing Ageing, and Explain Ways in Which Health and Social Care Workers Support the Independence and Wellbeing of Older People.
    988 words | 4 pages

    P1 explain theories of ageing. In this assignment I will be explain 4 theories and link it to a scenario that was given by the teacher in class. Sociological/psychological theories; * Disengagement theory * Activity theory Biological theories: * Genetically programmed theory * Disposable soma theory * Disengagement theory This theory Cumming and Henry in 1961 suggests that when Andy is to get older he will withdraw from the society in preparation for death and this could….

    Show More
  • Grumpy Old Men
    1082 words | 5 pages

    GM, 6 Grumpy Old Men Assignment Grumpy Old Men Assignment The movie “Grumpy Old Men” starring Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau, portrays aging in its highs and lows through humor to soften the ageism put on the last stages of life. It exposes the disengagements, actions and social emotions of the second half of life from a development process. John Gustafson (Jack Lemon) spends a lot of….

    Show More
  • Bodies and Minds
    2186 words | 9 pages

    regards to it physical capabilities? Have you wondered what affect does peri and post-menopause have in relation to memory decline in women? Is dementia directly related to cognitive aging? All of these conditions have one thing in common, they all occur as the human body starts to age into late adulthood. Aging from early to late adulthood has an….

    Show More
  • Gerontology Study Guide
    3118 words | 13 pages

    N330 Care of the Older Adult and the Family in Retirement Study Guide for Final 1. Why is it important to study gerontological nursing? Our society is rapidly aging, with an increasing proportion of the population being over the age of 65. This growth of the older population is expected to increase dramatically over the next 25 years. Consequently, there is a growing need for professionals to be trained to work with older persons. 2. Review the roles of the gerontological nurse.….

    Show More
  • Thl8234 - Advanced Theory of Poetry
    1979 words | 8 pages

    2013 Study Unit: THL8234 (Advance Theory of Poetry) Assignment Number: 02 Part 1: Textual Analysis of Poetry Question 1: Sketching a Thatcher with metaphors It is certainly true that one of the distinguishing features of poetic texts is the use of figurative or non-literal language – this essay highlights the fact that metaphors do contribute to the understanding of a poem. Ted Hughes’ poem, Sketching a Thatcher, is loaded with vivid imagery and ample metaphorical constructions….

    Show More
  • Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman’s and Stress and Coping Paradigm
    1553 words | 7 pages

    Discuss Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman’s and stress and coping paradigm and in view of this paradigm explain age and individual difference in the experience and handling of stress 1. Introduction Stress is induced by life events .Lazarus and Flokman in (Cavanaugh and Blanchard –Field (2005) point out stress is defined by the person and that no two people experiences stress the same event in exactly the same way. Each individual has a specific tolerance for stress depending….

    Show More
  • Singapore Economic Plan
    2068 words | 9 pages

    n Singaporeans • Global city |Older generation illiterate • Aging population • Uncreative population • Diverse population |Growing awareness on global competitiveness • Education and equipping the people for a developed nation • Globalization of the population |Procrastinator mindset • Growing quality of life demand….

    Show More
  • A Sample Quantitative Research Proposal
    5031 words | 21 pages

    Self-Directed Learning Readiness and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults A Sample Quantitative Research Proposal Written in the APA 5th Style [Note: This sample proposal is based on a composite of past proposals, simulated information and references, and material I’ve included for illustration purposes – it is based roughly on a fairly standard research proposal; I say roughly because there is no one set way of creating a quantitative research proposal. Much of its design is based on the nature….

    Show More
  • Nike, Inc. Strategic Case Study
    6076 words | 25 pages

    On the other hand, the aging of the population in developing countries will also bring challenges to labor recruitment of the manufacturing factories. The situation will be even serious in China, which is now the largest manufacturing base of Nike products. Technological Nike….

    Show More
  • Positive psych
    2450 words | 10 pages

    Abstract The emerging field of positive psychology has gained a lot of interest in the recent years. Positive psychology has been proven to promote happiness in many individual’s lives as well as reinforce their personal feelings of self-worth. The use of positive psychology can be applied to multiple aspects of an individual’s life, making it a universal approach to happiness and less stress. One major group of individuals that can effectively carry out the use of positive psychology is athletes….

    Show More

Popular Essays