Why Do Our Bodies Grow Old? A Preliminary Bibliography of Gerontological Research
Overview
This annotated bibliography compiles key academic sources examining the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of human aging. The document surveys scholarly perspectives on successful aging paradigms, cognitive changes in later life, regenerative medicine ethics, and the protective mechanisms linking social environments to healthy aging outcomes.
What this annotated bibliography covers
- Successful aging and sociopolitical conceptualizations (Dillaway & Byrnes, Gruenewald et al.)
- Biological and cognitive aspects of aging (Miller et al., Olshansky et al.)
- Social environments, genetics, and gerotranscendence (Ryff & Singer, Tornstam)
- Cultural and ethical dimensions of regenerative medicine and aging (Lafontaine, Sarton)
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Why Do Our Bodies Grow Old?
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Preliminary Bibliography
Dillaway, H. E., & Byrnes, M. (2009). Reconsidering successful aging: A call for renewed and expanded academic critiques and conceptualizations. Journal of applied gerontology, 28(6), 702-722. This article delves into the paradigm of successful aging – the idea that a person is the outcome of their multifaceted development and growth throughout their lives. It takes a look into the sociopolitical relationships that surround the concept of successful aging.
Gruenewald, T. L., Liao, D. H., & Seeman, T. E. (2012). Contributing to others, contributing to oneself: Perceptions of generativity and health in later life. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 67(6), 660-665. This article uses methods based on sociodemographic and health status and behavioral factors to determine whether conceptualizations about generativity can be used to predict the chance of getting an impairment from Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The study focused on elderly people aged between 60-75 years.
Lafontaine, C. (2009). Regenerative medicine’s immortal body: From the fight against ageing to the extension of longevity. Body & society, 15(4), 53-71. This article’s objective is to understand the cultural and social deductions that regenerative medicine is founded upon, such as the increasing numbers of older people in Western communities. The author examines the ethical and symbolic issues that surround regenerative medicine.
Miller, L. J., Myers, A., Prinzi, L., & Mittenberg, W. (2009). Changes in intellectual functioning associated with normal aging. Archives of clinical neuropsychology, 24(7), 681-688.