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Håkan Jönson, foto Johan Persson.

Håkan Jönson

Professor

Håkan Jönson, foto Johan Persson.

A new age of old age? : gerotranscendence and the re-enchantment of aging

Author

  • Håkan Jönson
  • Jan Arne Magnusson

Summary, in English

Gerotranscendence theory is reviewed regarding its content, development, diffusion, impact, empirical results, and ontology. Gerotranscendence theory describes a ''natural'' alteration of consciousness in old age leading to ''wisdom'' and a qualitative break with a mid-life rational and materialist world-view. According to the theory, gerotranscendence is obstructed by a lack of alternative values and roles in old age in Western societies. Theoretically and in clinical practice, gerotranscendence theory has been linked to psychoanalysis. It is concluded that gerotranscendence theory is empirically weak, has parallels in the New Age movement as well as in romantic Orientalism, and can be understood as an attempt to re-enchant aging.

Department/s

  • School of Social Work

Publishing year

2001

Language

English

Pages

317-331

Publication/Series

Journal of Aging Studies

Volume

15

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified

Keywords

  • Disengagement
  • Gerontology
  • Gerotranscendence
  • Theory
  • Wisdom

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0890-4065