Handbook of Theories of Aging

by Vern L. Bengtson (Editor), Richard Settersten (Editor)

This state-of-the-art handbook will keep researchers and practitioners in gerontology abreast of the newest theories and models of aging. With virtually all new contributors and content, this edition contains 35 chapters by the most highly respected luminaries in the field. It addresses theories and concepts built on cumulative knowledge in four disciplinary areasobiology, psychology, social sciences, and policy and practiceoas well as landmark advances in trans-disciplinary science. With its explicit focus on theory, the handbook is unique in providing essential knowledge about primary explanations for aging, spanning from cells to societies.

The chapters in the third edition place a strong emphasis on the future of theory development, assessing the current state of theories and providing a roadmap for how theory can shape research, and vice versa, in years to come. Many chapters also address connections between theories and policy or practice. Each set of authors has been asked to consider how theories in their area address matters of diversity and inequalities in aging, and how theories might be revised or tested with these matters in mind. The third edition also contains a new section, "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants," which includes personal essays by senior gerontologists who share their perspectives on the history of ideas in their fields, and on their experiences with the process and prospects of developing good theory.

Hallmarks of the Third Edition:

Highlights important gains in trans-disciplinary theories of aging

Emphasizes the future of theory development

Provides insights on theory development from living legends in gerontology

Examines what human diversity and inequality mean for aging theories

Emphasizes interconnections between theory, research, intervention, and policy

Underscores international issues with greater representation of international authors

Includes section introductions by the editors and associate editors that summarize theoretical developments

Key Features:

Highlights variability and diversity in aging processes, from the cellular level of biological aging to the societal level of public policy

Provides insights on theory development from living legends in gerontology

Offers intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and international perspectives

Disseminates a forward-thinking, future-oriented focus in theory development "

Genres: Nonfiction

752 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It isn't necessarily fair to apply a star rating to a textbook, especially a handbook with so many contributors. However, for my personal Goodreads account I want to document that I read every grueling page of this nearly 800 page text. As with any handbook, some of the chapters are better written than others. From an editing perspective, I was surprised by the choice to include a handful of chapters that were highly critical of research represented in other chapters within the book, but that may just be my inexperience with academia. There is no way to glide through a graduate level theory course. If you are assigned this text be prepared to spend significant time reading and understanding every chapter.

[nona ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ehh it was okay and fairly easy to read but I was missing examples