Developmental Psychology: Aging, Life Review, and Successful Aging Theories (16)

Integrity versus despair

The 8th stage (65+) involves reflecting on the past and either piecing together a positive review or concluding that one's life has not been well spent.

Life review

A looking back at one's life experiences, evaluating them, and interpreting/reinterpreting them.

Reminiscence therapy

A therapy in which someone discusses past activities and experiences with another individual or group.

Activity theory

The more active and involved older adults are, the more likely they are to be satisfied with their lives.

Substitute roles

If middle-adulthood roles are stripped from older adults, it is important to find substitute roles that keep them active and involved.

Socioemotional selectivity theory

Motivation changes as a function of time horizons; when horizons are limited, there is a shift toward prioritizing emotional meaning and satisfaction.

Selective optimization with compensation theory

Successful aging is related to three main factors: selection, optimization, and compensation.

Selection

Older adults have reduced capacity and loss of functioning, requiring a reduction in performance in most life domains.

Optimization

Older adults can maintain performance in some areas through continued practice and use of new technologies.

Compensation

Becomes relevant when life tasks require a level of capacity beyond the current level of the older adult's performance potential.

Knowledge-related goals

One of the two important classes of goals individuals are motivated to achieve.

Emotional goals

One of the two important classes of goals individuals are motivated to achieve.

Life investment

The degree of personal life investment varies at different points in life, with work being the highest investment from 25 to 34 years of age, family from 35 to 84, and health from 85 to 105.