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Psychological Functioning in Old Age and the Introduction of New Technology

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Aging and Technological Advances

Part of the book series: NATO Conference Series ((HF,volume 24))

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Abstract

A central feature pertaining to an autonomous use of new technology in the everyday life of the elderly concerns their cognitive readiness to try out new inventions. Are the elderly capable of using advanced technology and, above all, are they even motivated to try? How should the use of technological devices be presented, based on what we know about the functioning of the aged? Modes of thinking in the aged have been studied recently from the perspective of “age and creativity”: in Finland (Ruth, 1980; Mattlar, Ruth and Krauts, 1980–81) and in the United States (Alpaugh, 1975; Alpaugh, Renner and Birren, 1976). The studies were based on divergent thinking tests, and the cognitive processes of different age-groups were compared using rather extensive samples.

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References

  • Alpaugh, P.: Variables affecting creativity in adulthood: a descriptive study. MA-thesis. University of Southern California, 1975.

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  • Alpaugh, P.; Renner, V. J. and Birren, J. E.: Age and creativity. Its application for education and teachers. Educational Gerontology, 1976, 1, 17–40.

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  • Mattlar, C.-E. Ruth, J.-E. and Krauts, L.-R.: Creativity measured by the Rorschach test in a random sample of Finns. Yearbook Geron, 1980–81, 23, 15–26.

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  • Ruth, J.-E.: Creativity as a cognitive construct: The effects of age, sex and testing practice. Dissertation. University of Southern California, 1980.

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  • Ruth, J.-E.: Finnish research on life-style and psychological functions in the latter part of the life-span. Adult Education in Finland, 1983, 1, 11–17.

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  • Ruth, J.-E, and Birren, J. E.: Creativity in adulthood and old age. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 1984.

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© 1984 Plenum Press, New York

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Ruth, JE. (1984). Psychological Functioning in Old Age and the Introduction of New Technology. In: Robinson, P.K., Livingston, J., Birren, J.E., Regnier, V.A., Small, A.M., Sterns, H.L. (eds) Aging and Technological Advances. NATO Conference Series, vol 24. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2401-0_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2401-0_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9464-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2401-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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