Final answer:
Erikson's theory emphasizes potential growth and wisdom in old age, rather than inevitable withdrawal, while disengagement theory posits a natural societal withdrawal in aging. Gerotranscendence offers a positive view, suggesting the elderly can experience peace and a transcendent perspective on life. These theories represent different sociological perspectives on the process of aging.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sociological Perspectives on Aging
Erik H. Erikson's theories on the stages of human development, including aging, suggest that the final stage of life is marked by a challenge of integrity versus despair. In this stage, elders reflect on their lives, feeling either a sense of satisfaction with a strong sense of integrity or a sense of failure leading to despair. Contrary to the notion that Erickson, Erikson, and Kivnick argue for inevitable retreat, Erikson emphasizes the potential for continued growth and wisdom in old age.
Disengagement theory, on the other hand, does suggest that withdrawal from society is a natural part of growing old. However, it has faced criticism for not accounting for the variability in individuals' experiences of aging. Meanwhile, gerotranscendence, as proposed by Lars Tornstam, offers a more positive view of aging, where the elderly transcend limited views of life, becoming less self-centered and achieving a sense of peace and connectedness.
These theories reflect the functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist perspectives on aging. The functionalist perspective focuses on the role of elders in society, the conflict perspective on power dynamics between age groups, and the symbolic interactionist perspective on the creation of identities through social interactions.