The Psychology of Ageing: An Introduction - Softcover

Ian Stuart-Hamilton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 185302063X ISBN 13: 9781853020636

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley, 1991

Synopsis

This well-established and accessible text has been completely revised in this expanded fifth edition. Each chapter has been updated, often extensively, to reflect current thinking, and an important new chapter on death, dying and bereavement has been added.Providing a comprehensive overview of the psychological processes of ageing, the text examines what constitutes older age, and presents the latest theory and research in a variety of domains, including intellectual change in later life; ageing and memory; ageing and language; ageing, personality and lifestyle; and mental health and ageing. Consideration is given to the problems inherent in measuring the psychological status of older people, and the author looks to the future to answer the question “what will constitute 'being old'?”This new edition is essential reading for all those working or training to work with older people, and a key text for students.

About this title

About the Author

Professor Ian Stuart-Hamilton was successively a researcher or lecturer at the Universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Buckingham and Worcester, and is currently Professor of Developmental Psychology and Faculty Head of Research at University of Glamorgan.

Review

The Psychology of Ageing provides a comprehensive overview of the area. It covers a broad range of issues that are central to anyone interested in psychology and ageing. It starts with a discussion of what constitutes older age and the neuronal underpinning of ageing, and moves to examining theories and research in the various domains of ageing. The book clearly (and correctly) makes the point that ageing is not just general slowing and cognitive decline (as is often portrayed), but that cognitive ageing is a complex interaction of individuals and their environment. Even though the book is introductory, it points to the deeper issues and problems in this field. The topics are well introduced and the book has a Glossary of Technical Terms at the end... The Psychology of Ageing is a very good introductory book... is easy to read and is an effective overview. (Age and Ageing)

The Psychology of Ageing is a solid and workmanlike general introduction to both schools of thought on the problems of growing older, and can be recommended as a basic textbook for students and trainees. (Journal of Mental Health)

The psychology of ageing is somewhat a rarity in academic texts. So I was grateful to Ian Stuart-Hamilton for eloquently and skilfully introducing the reader to the world of psycho gerontology, through the adoption of a cognitive perspective where research and comment are interweaved to provide a highly readable and detailed perspective of this area... This text is an invaluable resource to psychologists, clinicians, nurses and anyone with an interest in gerontology, through the author's accessible writing style and balanced literature selection. (The Psychologist)

It is refreshing to see a book interested in the minds of older people as this client group are often overlooked, writes Noelle Blackman. This research-based approach has been written very much with the undergraduate psychology student in mind. As such it is packed full of research and is a very good resource. (Community Care)

An extremely accessible and comprehensive account of what is currently known about the psychology of ageing. From the definition of ageing through the measurement of intellectual change, memory, language, personality and lifestyle, mental illness and the difficulties with measuring psychological status in older people, this book triumphs in its clarity and depth. The final chapter entitled 'What is the future of ageing?' is a very salient essay on the dangers of stereotyping older people. (British Journal of Occupational Therapy)

This is a well established and accessible textbook now completely revised in an expanded fourth edition. Each chapter has been updated to reflect current thinking. There is a glossary of technical term, as well as being fully indexed. (New Literature in Old Age)

Edition details

• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 185302063X
• ISBN 13: 9781853020636
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208