Abstract: Over the centuries gerontology, the study of age and ageing, has struggled to establish itself as a legitimate field of science. Although growing old has been a subject of interest for centuries, for many people the primary goal of such study was to curtail the effects of age rather than serious inquiry into the mechanics of the ageing process itself. Charlatans exploited the desire to restore youth in various ways: for example, unsavory potions consisting primarily of the reproductive organs of other animals were touted as prolonging youth. Sometimes such quests for longevity yielded unexpected gains, as when explorers seeking hidden Hyperborean civilizations free from the ravages of disease stumbled across new lands and peoples. However, for many ageing is a subject best left unexamined, as it may call up anxieties concerning infirmity and death. In literature, old age was decried by the Bard himself as an inexorable decline, leaving one teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything (Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act II, scene vii). Even with the coming of the scientific empiricism that characterized the 19th century, the focus of inquiry was on uncovering natural laws governing all age groups rather than a particular exploration of changes resulting from increasing age. Eminent psychologists of the day such as Wundt discouraged their students from being distracted by developmental issues. It wasn't until 1922, when G. Stanley Hall himself experienced ageing first hand, that he published his seminal text, Senescence: The second half of life, which at last lent legitimacy to the psychological exploration of ageing. Subsequent decades have seen an exponential growth in ageing studies within and especially across disciplines. Given the fact that older adults experience a broader range of medical, psychological and social problems than younger adults, the interdisciplinary nature of ageing research is not unexpected. This explosion of research is not without its price; gerontology is often characterized as a discipline which is data rich but theory poor. Moreover, instruction in the theory, research methods and clinical techniques appropriate to this age group has lagged behind general growth of knowledge in the field. Formal programmes to teach geriatrically-focused curricula are a relatively recent phenomena, as are recognized degree and certification programmes within various disciplines. In the next millennium, the proportion of older individuals as a percentage of the general population will continue to rise, often dramatically, in industrialized nations. This fact has important ramifications for health care delivery. In developing nations this curve may be even steeper, overburdening health systems lacking both the facilities and knowledge base to provide suitable care for the aged. It is appropriate that in 1999, the International Year of the Older Person, the New Zealand Journal of Psychology has devoted a special feature to research on ageing. The focus is on experimental issues, and a wide range of topics is represented. The overwhelming response to the call for papers has resulted in a second feature being compiled for future publication with a focus on clinical and social research on ageing. …
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 23
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