Psychological studies of aging: their origins, development and present challenge

Abstract

Present day psychological studies of aging had their origins in attempts to study, in fundamental terms, performances of people in later middle-age relevant to capacity for industrial work. From these beginnings fundamental psychological knowledge of aging has expanded rapidly during the last forty years. Application of this knowledge to practical problems presents a challenge and a wide field of opportunity. Needs and potentialities for application are considered in the areas of: Industrial and other work, Clinical assessment and intelligence testing, Assessment of attitudes, and Coping with everyday problems in old age and with interpersonal relationships, especially in old people's communities and between old people and caregivers.