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The Measurement of Individual Differences in Aging: The Distinction Between Usual and Successful Aging

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Cognitive and Behavioral Performance Factors in Atypical Aging

Abstract

The goal of aging research once was conceived quite simply: to understand the aging process and study its ramification. Since we know that different species, subgenera, and within humankind, different racial and socioeconomic groups, have different life spans, comparative biology and human demography provide important points of inroad for investigating the aging process (McDaniel, 1986; Rockstein, Chesky, & Sussman, 1977). A second but contentious route might be derived from the medical sciences, wherein diseases such as progeria, Werner’s syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease have been suggested by some authorities to provide models of accelerated but normal aging (Barbeau, 1976; Hayflick, 1977). Other researchers within the life sciences focused their collective interest on individual differences or functional aging (Borkan & Norris, 1980a, 1980b; Dirken, 1972; Heron & Chown, 1967; Murray, 1951). Although these latter researchers may have met with limited success (Costa & McCrae, 1980), the measurement of individual differences remains an important issue in the biology and psychology of aging.

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Authors
  1. Michael J. Stones
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  2. Albert Kozma
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  3. Ted E. Hannah
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada

    Mark L. Howe Ph.D  & Michael J. Stones Ph.D  & 

  2. Division of Community Medicine and Behavioral Science, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada

    Mark L. Howe Ph.D

  3. Gerontology Center, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada

    Michael J. Stones Ph.D

  4. Program in Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA

    Charles J. Brainerd Ph.D

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Stones, M.J., Kozma, A., Hannah, T.E. (1990). The Measurement of Individual Differences in Aging: The Distinction Between Usual and Successful Aging. In: Howe, M.L., Stones, M.J., Brainerd, C.J. (eds) Cognitive and Behavioral Performance Factors in Atypical Aging. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8947-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8947-7_6

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