Handbook of Theories of Aging, Third Edition

Book Preface

What is theory, and why are theories important in research on aging? What are the most prominent theories in contemporary gerontology? How can we nurture the development of theories to better meet the needs of the field in the decade ahead? These are some of the questions that have propelled this third edition of the Handbook of Theories of Aging. The need for theory-based knowledge to address problems of aging has never been greater. Yet, the ready availability of Big Data has proliferated primarily descriptive and nontheoretical research reports. Explanations of aging processes and outcomes—in other words, theories— have often taken a back seat to the generation of factual information.

With 35 chapters by some of the most highly respected researchers in gerontology today, this edition of this handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview so that researchers and practitioners can stay abreast of the latest developments. It addresses theories and concepts built on cumulative knowledge in four disciplinary areas—biology, psychology, social sciences, and policy and practice—as well as landmark advances in transdisciplinary science. Because of their explicit focus on theory, the editions of this handbook are a resource for knowledge about primary explanations of aging, whether at the level of cells or societies.

In this edition, we asked authors to place a strong emphasis on the future of theory development, assessing the current state of theories and providing a road map for how theory can shape research and how research can shape theory, in years to come. We are especially excited about a new section, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” which contains personal essays by four of the most senior gerontologists in our field, who share their perspectives on the history of ideas in their fields, as well as their experiences with the process and prospects of developing useful theory.

Many chapters also address connections between theories and policy or practice, especially in ameliorating problems of aging. This also means doing better by the varied populations we hope to understand and to serve. Thus we asked authors to probe matters of diversity and inequality, assessing how theories in their area address these matters and how theories might be revised or tested with diversity and inequality in mind.

Perhaps the most important feature of this edition is that its content also reflects our field’s increasing commitment to transdisciplinary research that stretches across traditional disciplinary boundaries to generate more complex and comprehensive explanations of how aging processes and outcomes are intertwined.

The contributors to this handbook were asked to discuss the most exciting ideas in their areas in ways that are highly readable for a wide variety of our multidisciplinary audiences, whether researchers, practitioners, or students. On behalf of the three associate editors, 70 contributors, and ourselves, we hope you enjoy reading this handbook as much as we have enjoyed putting it together—and that you will find many ideas in its pages to stimulate your thoughts and shape your future research.

Vern L. Bengtson, PhD
Richard A. Settersten, Jr., PhD