Psychosocial theory 2000.edited

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Harvard University *

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Exploring Psychosocial Theory concerning Old Age Name University’s name Course Instructor Date

2 Introduction Old age is a universal phenomenon with philosophical implications for people's mental, physical, and social well-being. In the modern world, the issues related to old age have become significant concerns both in the field of health as well as social care. As a result, psychological and social theories have been put forward by various individuals to help understand the challenges that the elderly face together with those who are taking care of them. The psychological school of thought concerns human behavior as it is shaped by the mind's emotional and cognitive processes. Sociology, on the other hand, focuses on human interactions by studying human behavior in the context of group associations like religion, gender, and age. In this case, the psychological school of thought includes cognitive psychology or cognitivism. In contrast, the sociological school of thought is symbolic interactionism, which deals with various health issues and social care. The main focus of this essay will be to focus on comparing and contrasting the psychological and sociological schools of thought and how they relate to old age . The first part of the essay involves the definition of terms, and the description part will dwell on a detailed discussion about old age and the similarities and differences between psychological and sociological schools of thought. The next part will be an analysis and evaluation examining the subject in detail, and the last part will be a conclusion and recommendations based on the same. Generally, the information in the paper was drafted from peer-reviewed sources; thus, the whole document has references to support the information. Description old age is a natural phase of life that every individual has to experience. However, it brings with it challenges, especially in the realms of health and social care. As a result, understanding the psychological perspectives of cognitivism and the sociological perspective of

3 symbolic interactionism offers valuable insights into the experiences of older adults. Research suggests that, in 2018, the US population aged sixty-five and above numbered 52.4 million, with older adults representing 15.6% of the population (Fulmer et al., 2021). It is due to the increase in the number of elderly individuals that medics are giving vital directions for health and healthcare initiatives, offering guidance to prepare the nation for the realities of the aging population. Old age is an issue in society that makes it have numerous advantages to study it. The first advantage of studying old age is that it fosters improved quality of care because understanding the specific physical, mental, and social challenges faced by the elderly allows healthcare professionals to provide tailored and specialized care, improving the overall quality of life for older individuals (Cesari et al., 2021). Secondly, research on aging helps in identifying risk factors and early signs of age-related diseases. This knowledge is crucial for developing preventive measures and promoting healthy aging, reducing the burden on healthcare systems. The last advantage is that understanding the psychological and social aspects of aging facilitates the social integration of older adults. It encourages the design of age-friendly communities, promoting active participation and reducing social isolation among the elderly. Nevertheless, studying old age has disadvantages like ethical dilemmas in that research involving vulnerable populations, such as older adults, raises ethical concerns (Gordon, 2020). Informed consent, privacy, and the potential exploitation of participants are significant ethical challenges in gerontological studies. As mentioned earlier, the selected schools of thought are cognitive psychology, which explores the mental processes, and symbolic interactionalism, which examines the social context of old age. Cognitive psychology is based on the principles of mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. In the context of old age, cognitive

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4 psychology studies the changes in cognitive functions that occur with aging. Cognitive decline, including memory loss and reduced problem-solving abilities, is a common concern among the elderly, and the theory is also formed on this principle. Consequently, cognitive psychology explores these changes, providing insights into interventions that can help maintain cognitive function and enhance the overall well-being of older adults. In health and social care, cognitive psychology is built on informing the development of cognitive interventions, such as cognitive training programs and memory-enhancing activities (Schmidt & Mamede, 2020). These interventions aim to mitigate the effects of cognitive decline, enabling elderly individuals to maintain independence and actively engage in social interactions. Symbolic interactionalism, on the other hand, is founded on the principles of the significance of symbols and interactions in shaping human behavior and perception. In the context of old age, symbolic interactionism focuses on the social construction of aging, viewing it as a product of societal definitions and perceptions. Elderly individuals are influenced by the labels and expectations assigned to them by society, impacting their self-esteem, identity, and overall well-being. In terms of health and social care, symbolic interactionalism focuses on the principle of the significance of social support, communication, and empathy for older adults. Caregivers and healthcare professionals must recognize the symbolic meanings attached to aging, ensuring respectful and dignified treatment. Understanding the unique symbols associated with old age enables tailored care interventions, enhancing the overall quality of life for the elderly. Analysis In the description section, old age has been addressed using cognitive psychology and symbolic interactionalism, which are psychological and sociological schools of thought, respectively. As applied in the section above, cognitive psychology in the psychological school

5 of thought has several strengths. First, cognitive psychology has led to practical applications in areas like education, therapy, and technology, improving human lives. For example, therapists can use cognitive psychology to help the elderly whose memories are fading. The second strength is based on the scientific approach because cognitive psychology employs rigorous scientific methods, including experiments and empirical research, ensuring a systematic understanding of mental processes (Scholtz et al., 2020). The last strength of cognitive psychology is based on cognitive neuroscience because interaction with neuroscience provides biological insights into cognitive processes, enriching the understanding of human cognition. However, this theory also has areas for improvement, like it lacks individual differences as it often generalizes findings, overlooking individual differences in cognitive abilities and experiences. Similarly, cognitive models will likely need to be more accurate to simplify complex mental processes, leading to an incomplete understanding of human cognition. Lastly, cognitive psychology needs to improve regarding emotions and their interaction with cognitive processes is sometimes understudied, limiting a comprehensive understanding of human behavior. Next, the symbolic interactionism school of thought also has strengths and weaknesses when addressing issues. The first strength is based on subjective understanding because it stresses understanding the subjective meanings people attach to their actions, enabling deep insight into human cognition and social interactions. On a similar note, symbolic interactionism focuses on small-scale, face-to-face interactions, allowing for a detailed analysis of human behavior in specific social contexts. Finally, symbolic interactionism highlights how social change occurs through individual and collective reinterpretation of symbols and meanings, making it relevant in dynamic societies (Redmond, 2018). Regarding the weaknesses, symbolic

6 interactionism is part of the socially overemphasized symbolism by exclusively focusing on symbols, and this can lead to the negligence of other essential social factors like economic and political influences. The second weakness of this theory is that it has limited scope because it tends to overlook larger social structures and systemic inequalities, which are crucial in understanding broader societal issues. Validity concerns are another weakness posed by the symbolic interactionalism school of thought because interpretations are subjective; hence, ensuring the reliability and validity of the findings can be challenging. The selected issue, old age, has been thoroughly discussed, relating it to the two schools of thought. Linking old to different perspectives, in the case of the sociological perspective, it analyzes the social roles, stereotypes, and institutional aspects affecting the elderly, considering issues like social isolation and caregiving. Likewise, the biological perspective focuses on genetic factors, health issues, and physical changes associated with old age (Mollon et al., 2018). Also, the psychological perspective examines emotional well-being, cognitive changes, and psychological adjustments in old age, considering factors like memory loss and coping mechanisms. From an anthropological perspective, it explores cultural variations in treating the elderly, considering diverse rituals and societal attitudes toward aging. Together, different disciplines help in understanding the issue of old age and how to deal with it because it is another serious issue in the contemporary world where resources are scarce to satisfy human needs. The chosen problem of old age can be related to other literature. In most cases, literature depicts old age as wisdom, a time of reflection, but it is also associated with isolation. As a result, scholars and researchers explore themes of memory, mortality, and societal perceptions of the elderly, which are all related to old age (Olafsson & Rykkje, 2022). Additionally, some authors view old age as the struggle and resilience for dignity in old age. In contrast, some

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7 authors study the cyclical nature of life, including the challenges that aged individuals face. In addition, examining how literature portrays old age allows for a nuanced understanding of cultural attitudes and societal expectations regarding the elderly (Mosberg et al., 2019). It can shed light on the interplay between individual experiences of aging and broader social narratives, offering valuable insights into the human condition across different stages of life. Evaluation Based on the analysis, scholars from different disciplines are interested in understanding aging. Therefore, two prominent thoughts, cognitive psychology, and symbolic interactionism, provide distinct perspectives on this topic. Cognitive psychology delves into the mental processes, such as perception, memory, and reasoning, to comprehend aging-related health issues. In contrast, symbolic interactionism emphasizes the social aspects of aging, focusing on how individuals interpret and respond to symbols and interactions in society (Anderson & Craik, 2018). Therefore, concerning aging, cognitive psychology investigates how cognitive functions change with age, leading to issues such as memory decline, cognitive impairment, and dementia. It delves into neurological processes, brain structure, and cognitive interventions to understand and address health issues in older adults. (Schmidt & Mamede, 2020) Symbolic interactionism emphasizes the importance of social roles, stereotypes, and societal attitudes in shaping the experiences of older adults. It argues that how society perceives and treats the elderly significantly impacts their health and well-being. Thus, the symbolic interactionism school of thought examines old age better because it sheds light on the social determinants of health in old age, emphasizing the significance of social connections, positive attitudes, and societal support systems. Cognitive psychology, on the other hand, provides valuable insights into the physiological and psychological aspects of aging,

8 offering interventions and strategies to mitigate cognitive decline and promote mental well- being. Integrating both schools of thought perspectives can lead to a holistic understanding of aging as a health issue. By acknowledging the social and cognitive dimensions, healthcare professionals can develop comprehensive interventions that address both the psychological and social needs of older adults. Furthermore, healthcare providers can incorporate the principles of both perspectives into geriatric care. By understanding the social contexts of their patients and considering cognitive health, healthcare practitioners can offer personalized and effective care for older adults. Conclusions and Recommendations To conclude, based on the analysis and evaluation, this paper submits that both cognitive psychology and symbolic interactionism schools of thought offer valuable insights into aging both as a health and social care issue. Hence, based on the analysis and evaluation, it is evident that the use of symbolic interactions is often in society because it is applied in old care and healthcare in general; thus, it is the most suitable. Also, in health and social care for the elderly, a comprehensive understanding of symbolic interactionism and cognitive psychology is invaluable. By recognizing the symbolic meanings attached to old age and understanding the intricacies of cognitive processes, caregivers and healthcare professionals can provide more empathetic, respectful, and effective care (Fulmer et al., 2021). Integrating these perspectives enables a holistic approach, addressing the social and cognitive aspects of aging, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for elderly individuals in health and social care settings. Regarding recommendations, based on the analysis and evaluation, it is necessary to give healthcare practitioners chances to recognize the symbolic significance of social interactions for the elderly through a sociological school of thought. By doing so, it will foster meaningful

9 connections through community engagement, intergenerational programs, and support groups, addressing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Also, healthcare providers dealing with the aged need to be encouraged to create age-friendly environments that promote accessibility and inclusivity, reinforcing the dignity of elderly individuals and allowing them to participate actively in society as part of the cognitive psychology school of thought. Next, healthcare workers must evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the available schools of thought and apply the one with the best practices. For instance, applying cognitive psychology principles to assess and address cognitive decline in the elderly, focusing on memory enhancement techniques, cognitive training programs, and interventions to delay the onset of dementia (Sanjuán et al., 2020). Ultimately, the last recommendation is to support the ideas of schools of thought, enabling healthcare practitioners to acquire new skills and knowledge and fostering brain plasticity and resilience against cognitive decline when dealing with the elderly.

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