Introduction

Special Issue on Ageing, Biography and Practice

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11200228
AutoresJan-Erik Ruth, Jan‐Erik Ruth (University of Helsinki), Gary M Kenyon (St. Thomas University)
Año1996
Volumen16
Número6
Páginas653-657
Fecha de publicación1996-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x0002002x
OpenAlexW2944722427
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas7
Referencias citadas12

The experiences of maturing and ageing constitute a rather unexplored field within Gerontology. The ‘inner’ aspects of ageing have been left relatively untouched by researchers, largely out of methodological considerations. The ‘outer’ aspect of ageing, or ageing defined as behaviour, has been considered more fruitful due to its consistency with criteria for science created by logical positivism. Psychogerontologists in particular have been mesmerized by this research paradigm. However, this trend has also, for some time now, been criticized for underestimating the perceptions of the reality upon which we form our reasons for action (Runyan 1982; Carr 1986). Further, there are exceptions to this main stream of research. For example, the German psychogerontologist Thomae created a theory of ageing in 1970 based on the perceptual, evaluative and meaning – giving processes within the individual (Thomae 1970). In a series of studies (The BOLSA studies), he has been able to lend support to most of his theoretical claims (see Kruse and Schmitz-Schertzer 1995). Also the Canadian gerontologists Reker and Wong (1988) belong to the group of pioneers advocating the importance of personal meaning in successful ageing

Ageing · Carr · Epistemology · Field (mathematics) · German · Linguistics · Meaning (existential) · Perception · Positivism · Sociology · Aging and Gerontology Research · Mathematics · Medicine · Philosophy · Psychology · Gerontology