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Dual Process Theory of Assimilation and Accommodation

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Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging

Synonyms

Accommodation; Assimilation; Disengagement; Dual process theory; Flexible goal adjustment; Goal adjustment; Goal pursuit; Self-regulation; Successful aging; Tenacious goal pursuit

Definitions

Dual process theory distinguishes between assimilation and accommodation as two basic forms of adaptive self-regulation.

Assimilation denotes effort investment and persistence in the pursuit of personal goals.

Accommodation consists in a flexible adaptation of personal goals and aspirations in the face of losses and constraints.

Overview

The dual process theory of assimilation and accommodation distinguishes between two types of adaptive dynamics: first, activities by which individuals try to coordinate their development with personal goals and ambitions and second, processes which help to adjust personal aspirations to given limitations and constraints (Brandtstädter 2007, 2015; Brandtstädter and Greve 1994; Brandtstädter and Rothermund 2002b). In particular, by focusing on adaptive...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Psychologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany

    Klaus Rothermund

  2. Institut für Psychologie, Universität Trier, Trier, Germany

    Jochen Brandtstädter

Authors
  1. Klaus Rothermund
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  2. Jochen Brandtstädter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Klaus Rothermund .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Population Division, UN Dept of Economic Social Affairs Population Division, New York, NY, USA

    Danan Gu

  2. School of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA

    Matthew E. Dupre

Section Editor information

  1. Institute of Psychogerontology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nürnberg, Germany

    Susanne Wurm

  2. Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany

    Anna E. Kornadt

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Rothermund, K., Brandtstädter, J. (2019). Dual Process Theory of Assimilation and Accommodation. In: Gu, D., Dupre, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_96-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_96-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-69892-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-69892-2

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