The Resilience of the Aging Self

Two issues are raised concerning the "aging self" as conceptualized by many current theories about the life span course of self-maintenance. In particular, we address the model proposed by Brandtstädter and Greve (Developmental Review, 14, 52-80, 1994). First, this model assumes that the process of aging places considerable strain on the self. Although we acknowledge that aging people experience losses, and that the ratio of gains and losses becomes increasingly negative, we question whether such losses constitute a threat to the self. Second, we argue that Brandtstädter and Greve′s model implies that changes in goal salience are a result of coping with blocked goals. An alternative approach to age-related changes in goal salience is discussed. In this approach, specific goals are thought to change as a function of place in the life cycle.