Continuity theory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the anthropological theory, see Multiregional origin of modern humans. For nationalist continuity
theories, see Indigenism.

An elderly Tibetan woman holding a prayer wheel demonstrates the continuity theory. Despite their age, older
adults generally maintain the same traditions and beliefs.

The continuity theory of normal aging states that older adults will usually maintain the same
activities, behaviors, relationships as they did in their earlier years of life.[1] According to this theory,
older adults try to maintain this continuity of lifestyle by adapting strategies that are connected to
their past experiences.[2]
The continuity theory is one of three major psychosocial theories which describe how people
develop in old age.[3] The other two psychosocial theories are the disengagement theory, with which
the continuity theory comes to odds, and the activity theory upon which the continuity theory
modifies and elaborates. Unlike the other two theories, the continuity theory uses a life course
perspective to define normal aging.
The continuity theory can be classified as a micro-level theory because it pertains to the individual,
and more specifically it can be viewed from the functionalist perspective in which the individual and
society try to obtain a state of equilibrium.

Contents

[hide]

1History
2Elements
3Criticisms and weaknesses
4See also
5References
6Further reading

History[edit]
 The continuity theory originated in the observation that a large proportion of older adults show
consistency in their activities, personalities, and relationships despite their changing physical,
mental, and social status.[4] In 1968, George L. Maddox gave an empirical description of the theory
in a chapter of the book Middle Age and Aging: A Reader in Social Psychology called "Persistence
of life style among the elderly: A longitudinal study of patterns of social activity in relation to life
satisfaction". The continuity theory was formerly proposed in 1971 by Robert Atchley in his article
"Retirement and Leisure Participation: Continuity or Crisis?" in the journal The Gerontologist.[5]
Later, in 1989, he published another article entitled "A Continuity Theory of Normal Aging, in The
Gerontologist in which he substantially developed the theory. In this article, he expanded the
continuity theory to explain the development of internal and external structures of continuity. In 1999,
Richard Atchley continued to strengthen his theory in his book Continuity and Adaptation in Aging:
Creating Positive Experiences.[4]

Elements[edit]
The theory deals with the internal structure and the external structure of continuity to describe how
people adapt to their situation and set their goals. The internal structure of an individual such as
personality, ideas, and beliefs remain constant throughout the life course. This provides the
individual a way to make future decisions based on their internal foundation of the past. The external
structure of an individual such as relationships and social roles provides a support for maintaining a
stable self-concept and lifestyle.

Criticisms and weaknesses[edit]

The major criticism for the theory is its definition of normal aging.[6] The theory distinguishes normal
aging from pathological aging, neglecting the older adults with chronic illness.
The feminist theories criticise the continuity theory for defining normal aging around a male model.[6]
Another weakness of the theory is that it fails to demonstrate how social institutions impact the
individuals and the way they age.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuity_theory

Continuity Theory
The continuity theory proposes that older adults maintain
the same activities, behaviors, personalities, and
relationships of the past.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Examine the pros and cons of the continuity theory of aging, specifically in terms of
how it neglects to consider social institutions or chronically ill adults
 KEY POINTS

Internal structures of continuity remain constant over a lifetime and include elements,
such as personality traits, ideas, and beliefs. It helps people make future decisions by
providing them with a stable foundation in the past.
External structures of continuity help maintain a stable self-concept and lifestyle and
include relationships and social roles.
George L. Maddox and Robert Atchley are most closely associated with
the continuity theory.
The theory is criticized for including a distinction between normal and
pathological aging that does not take into account older adults with chronic diseases.
The theory is also criticized for not considering the influence of social institutions on the
aging of individuals.

TERMS

Continuity Theory
The continuity theory of normal aging states that older adults will usually maintain
the same activities, behaviors, personality traits, and relationships as they did in their
earlier years of life.
External Structures
(of an individual) consist of relationships and social roles, and support the
maintenance of a stable self-concept and lifestyle.
Internal Structures
(of an individual) remain relatively constant throughout a person's lifetime and
includes elements such as personality traits, ideas, and beliefs.
FULL TEXT

The continuity theory of normal aging states that older adults will usually

maintain the same activities, behaviors, personality traits, and relationships as

they did in their earlier years of life . The theory considers the internal

structures and external structures of continuity to describe how people adapt

to their circumstances and set their goals.

The Internal and External Structures of Continuity

Older adults hold on to many of the beliefs, practices, and relationships they had in the past as they
continue to age.

The internal structure of an individual - for instance, an individual's

personality traits - remains relatively constant throughout a person's lifetime.

Other internal aspects such as beliefs can remain relatively constant as well,

though are also subject to change. This internal structure facilitates future

decision-making by providing the individual with a strong internal foundation

of the past. The external structure of an individual consists of relationships

and social roles, and it supports the maintenance of a stable self-concept and

lifestyle.
George L. Maddox and Robert Atchley are most closely associated with the

continuity theory. Maddox provided an empirical description of the continuity

theory in 1968 in a chapter of the book Middle Age and Aging: A Reader in Social

Psychology called "Persistence of Lifestyle among the Elderly: A Longitudinal

Study of Patterns of Social Activity in Relation to Life Satisfaction. " In 1971,

Atchley formally proposed the theory in his article "Retirement and Leisure

Participation: Continuity or Crisis? " He continued to expound upon the

theory over the years, explaining the development of internal and external

structures in 1989 and publishing a book in 1999 called Continuity and

Adaptation in Aging: Creating Positive Experiences.

The theory is criticized primarily for its definition of normal aging. The theory

distinguishes between normal aging and pathological aging, so it neglects

older adults who suffer from chronic illness. The theory also fails to explain

how social institutions impact individuals and the way they age.

https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/aging-18/the-
functionalist-perspective-on-aging-128/continuity-theory-723-3593/

Social Theories on Aging

Continuity Theory
As persons age they maintain a consistent pattern of behaviors and adapt in ways that are
consistent with past behaviors
Life satisfaction is determined by how consistent current behaviors are with those of ones
lifetime experiences

(Atchley, 1972, Havinghurst, and Tobin, 1968)

Social Theories on Aging

Continuity Theory
The hypothesis is: central personality traits become more pronounced with age or they are
retained without many changes
People are more likely to age successfully if they maintain their preferred roles and methods of
adapting to lifes changes