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Related Experiment Videos

Progress and pitfalls in gerontological theorizing

V L Bengtson1, T M Parrott, E O Burgess

  • 1Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-0191, USA.

The Gerontologist
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Gerontology has seen increased focus on theory development since 1988, but recent empirical research articles do not reflect this progress. Major theoretical shifts in aging sciences are not evident.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Aging Research
  • Theory Development

Background:

  • Increased emphasis on explicit theory development in gerontology since 1988.
  • Discrepancy between theoretical focus and empirical research reporting.
  • Need to assess progress and pitfalls in gerontological theory-building.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize central issues in the recent history of gerontological theory development.
  • To evaluate paradigmatic shifts in aging theories over the past decade.
  • To identify progress and challenges in gerontological theory-building.

Main Methods:

  • Review of central issues in gerontological theory development.
  • Analysis of recent journal articles reporting empirical research.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of theoretical perspectives in biogerontology, psychogerontology, and social gerontology.

    • Main Results:

    • While concern for theory development has grown, empirical research has not consistently reflected this.
    • No clear paradigmatic shifts identified in major subfields of aging theory (biological, psychological, social).
    • Disagreement may exist among advocates of specific theoretical viewpoints.

    Conclusions:

    • Despite increased attention to theory, significant paradigmatic shifts in aging sciences have not materialized in recent empirical research.
    • The history of gerontological theory-building shows both advancements and limitations.
    • Further examination is needed to understand the dynamics of theory development in gerontology.