The theory of gerotranscendence is a developmental theory of positive aging that was
first proposed by Lars Tornstam in 1989. Gerotranscendence was Tornstam’s response to the
mismatch between current theories and statistics (Tornstam, 2011). Tornstam used both
qualitative and quantitative research methods. He performed in-depth interviews with 50 older
adults, conducted two large postal surveys to collect data, and many other studies. The first large
survey included participants aged 74-100. The second was a cross sectional study with adults
ages 20-85 to describe the level of gerotranscendence at different age levels. Tornstam also
based his theory of gerotranscendence on former theory by Jung and Erikson, Gutman, Peck,
Chinen, Chapman,
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Primary assumptions and descriptions
Aging is a global issue because of the influx of older adults into the population scheme.
In fact, on January 1, 2011 the first 10,000 baby boomers entered retirement age (Age 65) and
will continue to do so for about the next 19 years (Cohn & Taylor, 2010). The impact of aging, to
both the individual who is actually growing old, to caregivers, and to society at large is being felt
on all fronts-economically, socially, health care wise, demographically, and politically.
Gerotranscendence is a developmental theory and a positive aging theory which is very different
from other psychosocial theories of aging. (Wadensten, 2007). Most other theories on aging
approach it from a middle age perspective and, in one form or another, build on what the
individual was doing during middle age. (This is discussed later in the paper)
“Gerotranscendence implies a shift in meta-perspective, from a materialistic and rational view of
THEORY OF GEROTRANSCENDENCE Rebecka Fee 3
the world to a more cosmic and transcendent one, normally accompanied by an increase in life
satisfaction” (Tornstam, 2011). The theory of gerotranscendence explains aging from
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Tornstam does note that not all older adults who develop
in the direction of gerotranscendence show all of the three signs (Tornstam, 2011).
THEORY OF GEROTRANSCENDENCE Rebecka Fee 4
Difference with other theories
A major difference from other theories that should be noted is gerotranscendence does
not form a basis in middle-age reality and lifestyle as many theories do. Havinghurt’s (1953)
activity theory suggested continuing the middle age lifestyle as long as possible. The continuity
theory (Haven, 1968) maintains that personality and basic patterns of behavior do not change.
Erikson’s psychodynamic theory of human development states the individual is looking back at
life from within the same self. Gerotranscendence older adults look back from a new/forward
looking view of the self and the world (Wadensten, 2007) (Tornstam, 2011). This new view is a
looking forward style of thinking and allows the older adult to even re-evaluate events from the
past and place a new perspective on them. It allows oneself to continue the developmental
process and become a fully matured individual (Tornstam, 2011).
Conclusion
The theory of gerotranscendence is a developmental process that presents a positive
...bserved interactions between my grandfather and my sister (26) and my nephew (5) and I can see positive outcomes on both sides. The old can always offer something to the young; experience, knowledge, or what have you. Just as the young can influence and sustain the elderly's ties with society. We are active agents, that must remain active, of society, and we create the world around us (Social Constructionism). It is up to every individual to somehow remain tied to the active world, memories of past positive life events alone cannot solely sustain a successful life in old age.
“If youth but had the knowledge and old age the strength,” (Proverb). Remember sitting on the porch swing with grandpa and listening to him rant and rave about what seemed utterly irrelevant? What about the time that you got backhanded for rolling your eyes at crazy Mrs. Roberts when she would preach ‘life lessons’ at you? However, with age, it has become more and more apparent that maybe Mrs. Roberts wasn’t that far off from what is really the problems most fail to see. In today’s generation, the elderly have often been put on the back burner when they shouldn’t be. Although at times it might seem like the young are utterly invincible, the harsh truth is that there is so much knowledge we are yet to possess, residing within our elders. In Rudolfo Anaya’s A Celebration of Grandfathers, we see just how important Grandpa’s extraneous rants actually were.
perspective, such as when the attributes of age are deemed advantageous. A positive view of
Hiller, S. M., & Barrow, G. M. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
To date, researchers have not found a single theory that covers all people. Growing old can mean different things for different people. However, a common trend between all elderly people is that individuals who had active lives as young adults generally remain active as older adults, while individuals who were distant in their young lives become more disengaged as they age. In both theories, the old commonly conduct a person life review where he or she may reminisce for houses on end, muse over photo albums, or visit childhood places. They seek to share their life’s experience with another and try to find purpose and meaning within their lives.
In unit one of Interactions, the authors Ann Moseley and Jeanette Harris showed a number of readings about the idea of the self. The self-concept is an important matter because people change with age constantly and their thoughts change as well. There are many factors that can affect any individual’s thought of self-concept such as growing up, life experiences, friends and family, and meeting new people. Moreover, a number of readings in unit one by different authors showing their experiences and struggles with self-concept such as ethnicities, economy status, and self-esteem issue. I have had similar experiences with several authors, which are, “Zero” by Paul Logan, “Living in two worlds” by Marcus Mabry, and “The Jacket” by Gary Soto.
In conclusion, there are several benefits to thinking about ageing as a lifelong process, and not just as something which affects older people. Combating ageism at any age, celebrating the diversity amongst our ageing population, and the importance of having a healthier lifestyle in the present to prepare our bodies for the challenges posed by ageing are all valid strengths to this reasoning. It is also important to be able to relate these benefits in terms to your own experiences as this knowledge gives you a greater empathy with
Goffman, Erving. The Presentation Of Self In Everyday Life. New York, NY, USA: Anchor, 1959. Print.
p109. The pssssssssssssssssssss Goffman, E. (1959). The 'Standard'. New York: McGraw-Hill. Presentation of Self In Everyday Life.
Many countries globally are faced with unprecedented demographic changes from high mortality and fertility to low mortality and fertility, giving rise to an ageing population. Population ageing is profound and enduring, and has major consequences and implications for all facets of human life. With a larger proportion of older people, one of the major concerns is health and health care. The health of older persons generally declines with age and some illness are more likely to be associated with older people. One of such illness is dementia. As the life expectancies of the general population have dramatically increased since the turn of the century, more and more people are at risk of developing a dementia (National Institute of Aging, 2000).
The article “What is Successful Aging”, thoroughly explained the author’s thoughts on what aging successfully actually means. I think it is extremely vital to try our best to be content with our lives and what we have done at a later age. Integrity versus despair, as we learned in class kept coming to mind while reading the article. It is important that when one reaches this age he or she doesn’t feel like there is more to look back on than to look forward to. I agreed with the author’s views on self-efficacy and different opportunities in aging successfully.
In his article entitled, The Centenarian, author Henry J. Aaron notes that by the middle of this century, there will be more than one-million people living in the United States who are over 100 years-of-age. In 1960, there were one-million 85 year-olds. At the beginning of the twentieth-cen...
Ageing is a continuing life cycle, it is an ongoing developmental event that brings certain changes in one’s own psychological and physical state. It is a time in one's own life where an elderly individual reminisce and reflect, to bask and live on previous accomplishments and begin to finish his life cycle. There is a significant amount of adjusting that requires an elderly individual to be flexible and develop new coping skills to adapt in the changes that are common in their new life. (Dhara & Jogsan, 2013).
Many countries globally are faced with unprecedented demographic changes from high mortality and fertility to low mortality and fertility, giving rise to an ageing population. Population ageing is profound and enduring, and has major consequences and implications for all facets of human life. With a larger proportion of older people, one of the major concerns is health care. The health of older persons generally declines with age and some illness are more likely to be associated with older people. One of such illness is dementia. As the life expectancies of the general population have dramatically increased since the turn of the century, more and more people are at risk of developing dementia (National Institute of Aging, 2000).
Longman, Phillip. "8 the world will be more crowded with old people." Foreign Policy 188 (2011): 87+. Global Issues In Context. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.