The Importance of Developmental Science for Aging Research

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Wurm, Susanne | Ziegelmann, Jochen P. | Tesch-Römer, Clemens

Affiliations: German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin, Germany

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Susanne Wurm, German Centre of Gerontology, Manfred-von-Richthofen-Strasse 2, 12101 Berlin, Germany. E-mail: susanne.wurm@dza.de

Abstract: In this essay we argue that our societal and individual beliefs about aging can have an influence on the aging process. We give a brief illustration how life-span developmental theories have undergone a process of development themselves in the last years. Hereby it is essential that old age is conceptualized as a result of a lifelong aging process that can be influenced by individual action. Finally, we illustrate how developmental science can contribute to research on aging and on old age and discuss a number of research desiderata.

Keywords: beliefs about aging, social norms, self-regulation, successful aging, aging in context

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2012-11098

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 6, no. 1-2, pp. 75-77, 2012