M1: Comparing Two Theories Of Ageing

P1: Explain theories of ageing M1: Compare two theories of ageing.

There are many different theories explaining different aspects of aging in older adults, there are four major theories which are; psychological/social theory, stochastic theory, non-stochastic theory and biological theory. All theories have different theories included in them, I will be discussing one for each.

Disengagement theory (Psychological theory) is mostly based upon a gradual disengagement of the individual from the society. Disengagement theory argues that individuals voluntarily withdrawal from society, and it is expected that they will withdrawal by society when they slow down by retiring. This theory claims that elderly individuals systematically disengage
This theory was developed by Vladimir Dilman, which elaborates on the wear and tear theory by focusing on the neuroendocrine system. “The Neuroendocrine Theory explains the cause of the major diseases of aging, which contribute to over 85 percent of deaths and disabilities of middle-aged and elderly individuals. These diseases include: obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic immune depression. Two other diseases, depression and menopause although not fatal, also occur regularly with age. (Menopause is included by Dilman as a disease, because he describes disease as “any permanent violation of internal constancy).” (Ward Dean, MD/2003) This theory explains the complicated network of biochemical that govern the release of our hormones and other vital bodily elements. This is used to explain how our bodies work when we are young and how the system changes as we grow older. When we are young our hormones work together to regulate many bodily functions, whilst we’re young hormone levels tend to be high, as we age the body produces lower levels of hormones which can have disastrous effects on our functioning. Many growth hormones that help us form muscle mass, testosterone and thyroid drop dramatically as we age, meaning even if an elderly individual has not gained weight, he or she has undoubtedly increased the ratio of
This theory claims that the individual voluntarily withdrawals by retiring which is expected by society and it suggests that this is beneficial for both the individual and society. However, the wear and tear theory (non stochastic theory) argues that aging happens because of the constant use of the human body, until it is fully worn out. This theory believes that the effects of aging are caused by damage done to the cells and the body system over time and essentially these damages wear the body out until the body can’t function correctly. It suggests that aging is caused by progressive accumulation of damage by various factors. This theory is different to disengagement theory as it suggests that the individual is not voluntarily disengaging from society but it is forced to disengage as the body becomes too damaged. The disengagement theory suggests that the individual has to withdrawal from society so the younger generation can take over the jobs, it doesn 't take into account the factors which may be influencing the disengagement and only suggests that the withdrawal has to happen as they become old and see death in the near future. The disengagement theory doesn’t consider all the other factors that could or may be contributing to the disengagement of the individual, however the wear and tear theory suggests that there are many factors which influences the body