Year: 2002
Type: article
Abstract: The release of this fifth edition of the Handbook of the Psychology of Aging clearly demonstrates the impact that the book has had on the field as an authoritative reference source on adult development and aging.The first edition was published in 1977, and it is reassuring to see that the field of aging is regularly rejuvenating itself.The ever-expanding size of the literature in this area is such that the editors had to be selective, which means that it does not replace earlier versions.Instead it reflects advances in a number of areas that previous issues did not cover, but still gives a relatively comprehensive overview.The book is divided into four parts: 1. Concepts, Theory, and Methods in the Psychology of Aging 2. Biological and Social Influences on Behavior 3. Behavioral Processes and Psychological Functions 4. Behavior in Social Contexts These parts have rather different sizes, and the allocation of the chapters to these parts is not always easy to understand.Part 2 contains two chapters that clearly belong in part 4 on Behavior in Social Contexts, but that would leave only two chapters that actually focus on biological issues.In addition, the informative chapter on Social Relations by Antonucci would have served very well as introductory chapter of part 4, but has been assigned to part 3 on Behavioral Processes.As a consequence the book makes an unbalanced impression inasmuch as related chapters may appear widely apart in different parts.This said, the book also shows some careful editing, especially in the notation; similar abbreviations are employed throughout the book, and actual duplications are rare, and where they exist, they are appro-
Source: Gerontechnology
Author: D.G. Bouwhuis
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2024650960