Genetic Theories of Aging

This study is a longitudinal investigation of the relationship between age and subjective outlook. Over the years, a number of theoretical positions have been introduced to either account for or to minimize age differences in attitudes, values and beliefs. The author has organized these theories of aging into three basic sociological frameworks or models: the “generations” model, the “age status” model and the “illusion of differences” model. Using a relatively simple methodological design, hypotheses derived from these models were tested through secondary analysis of survey data. Strong support was found for the “generations” hypothesis, weak support for the “age status” hypothesis, and no support at all for the “illusion of differences” hypothesis.

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Hypothalamic Grafts and Neuroendocrine Cascade Theories of Aging

Neural Transplants ◽

10.1007/978-1-4684-4685-2_8 ◽

1984 ◽

pp. 205-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Joseph Rogers ◽

Gloria E. Hoffman ◽

Steven F. Zornetzer ◽

Wylie W. Vale

Keyword(s):

Theories Of Aging

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Masculinity beyond repair

Anafora ◽

10.29162/anafora.v6i2.9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 469-491

Author(s):

Stela Dujaković

Keyword(s):

Identity Construction ◽

Old Age ◽

Gender Stereotypes ◽

Hegemonic Masculinity ◽

Literary Representations ◽

Masculine Identity ◽

Theories Of Aging ◽

Aging Studies ◽

The Individual ◽

Academic Discourses

This article explores representations of male aging in Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections (2001) by looking at theories of aging, pathology, and hegemonic masculinity. While, in general, academic discourses about aging tend to link old age to pathology, the focus on gender stereotypes adds another layer to the perception of aging in Franzen’s novel. The Corrections is constructed around an aged patriarch who is not only struck by the illnesses of old age but, more importantly, he keeps clinging to an idealized masculine identity he is no longer able to maintain as an old man. Drawing on the difficulties of identity construction concerning Aging Studies and the lack of what Gabriela Spector-Mersel defines as “masculinity scripts,” my article illustrates how literary representations can construct male losses as symptoms of a silent virus that appears to break out in the aged body. The article will show that these (lived) hegemonic concepts of masculinity establish the male as a dominant collective but simultaneously constitute the inevitable failure of the individual. Hegemonic masculinities then have a disabling impact on the old man as is mirrored in Franzen’s doomed protagonist who becomes the victim of his own concepts of masculinity.

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Theories of Aging and Chronic Diseases: Chronic Inflammation an Interdependent ‘Roadmap’ to Age-Associated Illnesses

Inflammation, Aging and Cancer ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-66475-0_3 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 91-174

Author(s):

Mahin Khatami

Keyword(s):

Chronic Inflammation ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Theories Of Aging

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Review Lectures on Senescence: I. The Causes of Aging

Science of Aging Knowledge Environment ◽

10.1126/sageke.2001.1.cp10 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 2001 (1) ◽

Author(s):

J. Maynard Smith

Keyword(s):

Aging Process ◽

Somatic Mutations ◽

Cellular Level ◽

Temperature Dependent ◽

Theories Of Aging ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Two Phases ◽

Effects Of Radiation ◽

The Individual ◽

Do So

Aging processes are defined as those that increase the susceptibility of individuals as they grow older to the factors that may cause death. Various possible theories of aging are considered, and evidence that may help to decide between them is discussed. Changes in different organ systems may be merely symptoms of some single aging process, or they may be largely independent and synchronized by natural selection. Even if different organ systems age independently, they may do so as a result of similar changes at a cellular level. Cellular theories of aging may have to take into account the effects of selection between the cells in a tissue. The effects of radiation and somatic mutation theories of aging are discussed. It is suggested that radiation shortens life by inducing somatic mutations but that normal aging is not to any important extent caused by somatic mutations, although it may result from changes in cells that have effects on the physiology of the individual similar to those of somatic mutations. Evidence is presented that in Drosophila and in mice there are two phases in the life-span. In Drosophila , there is an initial “aging” phase, which is irreversible and occurs at a rate approximately independent of temperature, and a second “dying” phase, which is temperature-dependent in rate and reversible at lower temperatures. Reproduced by permission. J. Maynard Smith, Review Lectures on Senescence: I. The Causes of Aging. Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. B 157 , 115-127 (1962).

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