Disengagement Theory

Erikson 's (1963) eight stage model of psychosocial development poses that development continues across the lifespan and does not cease after adolescence as other theorists, like Sigmund Freud, suggests. Progression through each of this model 's eight stages requires resolution of a corresponding crisis. Upon successful resolution, the individual gains certain strengths and can progress on to the next stage. It is in this model that the crisis of late adulthood, as discussed above, is identified: where the individual faces acceptance of his/her life and gain integrity, or its opposite, despair, over the inability to relive that life (Erikson, 1963). The prospect of a life coming to a close may be daunting and difficult to accept, as life-review

Disengagement theory holds the former assumption that old age will result in an overall cognitive, emotional and physical decline (Compton & Hoffman, 2013). According to this theory it is a somewhat normative experience in late adulthood. In brief, this causes a physical, psychological and social disconnection from society and active participation therein (Tenenbaum-Precel, 2011; Marby & Bengston, 2005). Such behaviour serves the purpose of preparing the individual for the inevitability of death through systematic role-exit (Christopher, 2014, Marby & Bengston, 2005). This can be reconciled with Erikson 's hypothesis of succumbing to despair if this late life crisis is not resolved. The individual can then expect, according to this theory, that all people in their late adulthood will become reclusive and not enjoy productive and fulfilling lives. Yet, this theory has been widely dismissed by scholars, like Marby and Bengston (2005), as it cannot be empirically supported. Thus this view of aging is problematic to developmental and positive psychology. Both developmental and positive psychology perspectives are focused on the potential of individuals to change and grow, as opposed to stagnation and withdrawal. This prompts an examination of gerotranscendence as an argument for the possibility of successful resolution of this developmental

This theory opposes the very notion that progression in age and approaching death brings about a disentanglement from active participation in life. It demonstrates that the resulting growth can be accompanied by greater satisfaction with life (Tenenbaum-Precel, 2011). This conceptualisation of aging can be reconciled with Erikson 's (1963) hypothesis that successful resolution of this late life crisis will lead to acceptance and ultimately greater life satisfaction, thus bringing about integrity. It is also a theory that is in keeping with psychology 's shift toward a view that old age is an exciting and invigorating time in a person 's life and that happiness and satisfaction is at the core of elderhood (Compton & Hoffman, 2013). Several changes take place when the elderly move toward gerotranscendence. With changes on the cosmic level perhaps best encapsulating what Erikson meant with the achievement of ego