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Theoretical Perspectives on Cognitive Aging

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Handbook of Medical Neuropsychology

Abstract

Aging is a broad concept that includes physical changes in our bodies, psychological changes in our minds and mental capacities, social psychological changes in what we think and believe, and social changes in how we are viewed and what is expected of us. We write this chapter to examine the changes in our mental capacity, or cognitive changes, associated with aging. Cognitive psychologists, neuropsychologists, and clinical geropsychologists each bring unique perspectives to our understanding of cognitive aging. The primary function of this chapter is to examine cognitive aging through the varied perspectives offered by cognitive psychologists (i.e., the first author) and clinical geropsychologists (i.e., the second author). We (the authors) attempt to blend our unique perspectives in order to engage in a comprehensive discussion of cognitive aging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA

    Ayanna K. Thomas & Bailey M. Bonura

  2. Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellow, The Neurological Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Jennifer B. Dave

Authors
  1. Ayanna K. Thomas
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  2. Jennifer B. Dave
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  3. Bailey M. Bonura
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Correspondence to Ayanna K. Thomas .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Market Street 3535, Philadelphia, 19104, USA

    Carol L. Armstrong

  2. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, 15213, USA

    Lisa Morrow

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Thomas, A.K., Dave, J.B., Bonura, B.M. (2010). Theoretical Perspectives on Cognitive Aging. In: Armstrong, C., Morrow, L. (eds) Handbook of Medical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1364-7_16

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