What Is Social Aging? 4 Defense Mechanisms That Older People Use
Since the middle of the last century, Psychology’s interest in anticipating social problems has put the development of older people in the spotlight and their participation in daily life.
According to sociological studies, our environment is aging by leaps and bounds. The number of elderly people is greater than ever and it is estimated that in 2025 there will be around 1.1 billion people over 80 years of age. If the surveys carried out by the United Nations are true, 13.7% of the population would be between 60 and 80 years old.
The study of aging from social psychology encompasses the psychological processes and mechanisms associated with this stage and how they are culturally and socially influenced. It considers aging as a period in which people achieve certain achievements and grow at a psychosocial level and defends that no period of life should be defined by “loss,” although some occurs in all of them.
As we age, we face multiple new situations to which we end up adapting. These situations make us aware of the passage of time and give us the opportunity to incorporate changes into our lives without losing the feeling of stability. Proof of this is that, according to numerous studies, People maintain great stability in their self-awareness throughout life.
Although most changes are incorporated into our self-awareness without losing the sense of continuity, some situations provoke an experience of rupture and mark the passage to a new stage.
The most relevant reminders are the bodily ones (pains and illnesses during old age), the symbolic ones (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.), the generational ones (related to family and friends), the environmental ones (related to public life and work). and the vital ones (personal experiences). One of the most relevant reminders is retirement, which, on the one hand, represents the opportunity to be autonomous and independent, but on the other hand, it imposes a break with roles and habits that have been maintained for years, signaling the end of the middle-aged stage. and the beginning of old age.
Ageism or discrimination towards older people
People tend to develop stereotypical beliefs about people’s age, which includes personality, social roles or behaviors “typical” of each life stage. These beliefs are learned at a very early age and are transmitted passively and actively, for example, associating gray hair with old age or calling certain clothing or behaviors in older people “inappropriate.”
According to a study conducted by Cuddy, Norton and Fiske, People over 70 are perceived as more incompetent, dependent, kind, calm and patient, as well as with lower mental and physical well-being. These stereotypes, regardless of their connotation, promote a simplified and erroneous view of old age, but social psychology has found two interventions that can reduce them. First of all, promote contact between different generations in order to foster mutual knowledge and interdependence. Secondly, educate in values and promote respectful treatment towards people of different ages.
Often, people who see their social self-esteem damaged implement strategies that, unconsciously, can help develop a positive social identity and improve subjective well-being. These strategies are applicable to elderly people who are victims of stereotypes related to old age.
1. Postpone social self-categorization
This strategy, common in middle-aged people and in the initial stages of advanced age, consists of postponing self-categorization as a member of the elderly age group that is, moving the cut-off point from which old age begins as you get older.
2. Relative illusory optimism
This strategy, also known as self-enhancement, represents a way of reacting to the threat to self-esteem caused by belonging to the group of older people. It consists of perceiving oneself more favorably than other people of the same age, whether on a physical, social or psychological level.
It was studied by Heckhausen and Krueger. In their research, people in the group over 60 were the only ones who responded differently for themselves and for the rest of the members of their age group. Some of the differences they pointed out were that they would lose their positive attributes more slowly than others and that they would take longer to suffer the negative effects of old age.
3. Absolute illusory optimism
When we find ourselves in a situation of uncertainty, People tend to exaggerate our expectations of control and we develop an optimistic vision of the future. This strategy is common when, in addition to uncertainty, there is a feeling of vulnerability, such as in people with health problems.
The difference between relative and absolute illusory optimism is that in the latter, positive self-image is built without the need for comparison with others. Both types of optimism reduce stress and anxiety levels, and their absence is related to depressive and anxiety symptoms.
4. Asymmetric social comparisons
They can be “down” when compared to other people of the same age but in worse conditions, or “up” if compared to people in better conditions. In the first case, they allow us to regulate the negative feelings that cause the deterioration of old age and improve self-esteem. They are common when it comes to difficulties or irreversible losses such as physical aging or the loss of a loved one.
On the other hand, upward comparisons provide hope and motivation to face a situation that causes discomfort but has a remedy, since they provide information on how other people solved a problem.
Other specific strategies for older people are socioemotional selection (choosing emotionally satisfying life experiences), compensation mechanisms (using alternative resources that compensate for health losses, such as a companion or instrumental supports), and underestimation of health ( minimize the importance of the symptoms, considering them normal for one’s age).
