Continuity Theory

The continuity theory states that people become less apt to change as they grow older and that if they most change they will do so using skills or strategies from their past (Ashford & Lecroy, 2013).  This theory was developed by George Maddox after he observed that peopled had the tendency to participate in the same type of activities during the aging process (Encyclopedia of Aging). This theory contends that a person’s history, culture and social constraints all together shape the way a person will adapt to changes as they grow older.  This theory was developed using the thought that people’s personality traits stay the same from young adulthood to old age.

One of the problems of this theory is that it continues that changes they will have to adapt to will be a gradual process and that the personality of the individual with remain the same. This theory is no longer accepted as fact because of the many flaws associated with the underlying theme that people basic personality will remain unchanged from young adulthood into old age.

 

Ashford & Lecroy (2013).  Human Behavior in the Social Environment.  Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning

Diggs, J. (2008).  Encyclopedia of Aging and Public Health. 233-235