

However, there have been arguments that social age is becoming less relevant in the 21 st century (Neugarten, 1979 1996). Our culture often reminds us whether we are “on target” or “off target” for reaching certain social milestones, such as completing our education, moving away from home, having children, or retiring from work. Social age: Our social age is based on the social norms of our culture and the expectations our culture has for people of our age group. Figure 1.3: You are as young as you feel! Source Remember you are as young or old as you feel. Compared to others of our age group, we may be more or less adaptive and excited to meet new challenges. A 70 year-old might be travelling to new countries, taking courses at college, or starting a new business.

An individual who has cognitive impairments might be 20 years of age yet has the mental capacity of an 8 year-old. This includes our cognitive capacity along with our emotional beliefs about how old we are. Psychological age: Our psychologically adaptive capacity compared to others of our chronological age is our psychological age. Our nutrition, level of physical activity, sleeping habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, how we mentally handle stress, and the genetic history of our ancestors, to name but a few. Several factors determine the rate at which our body ages. So years since birth is not the only way we can conceptualize age.īiological age: Another way developmental researchers can think about the concept of age is to examine how quickly the body is aging, this is your biological age. We might notice that a peer seems more emotionally mature than we are, or that they are physically more capable. Ever felt older than your chronological age? Some days we might “feel” like we are older, especially if we are not feeling well, are tired, or are stressed out. How old are you? Chances are you would answer that question based on the number of years since your birth, or what is called your chronological age.
