Originally published in 1986, the central topic of this book is the analysis and application of control-related beliefs and behaviours for theory and practice in the psychology of aging. The volume was written for two specific interrelated purposes aimed at cross-fertilization between the psychology of control and the field of gerontology. The first purpose was to summarise available research and theory on the psychology of control for researchers and professionals interested in gerontology at the time. The second was to enrich the field of the psychology of control.

Originally published in 1986, the central topic of this book is the analysis and application of control-related beliefs and behaviours for theory and practice in the psychology of aging. The volume was written for two specific interrelated purposes aimed at cross-fertilization between the psychology of control and the field of gerontology. The first purpose was to summarise available research and theory on the psychology of control for researchers and professionals interested in gerontology at the time. The second was to enrich the field of the psychology of control.

Margret Baltes, a major researcher in gerontology, challenges the deterministic view that dependence is a natural consequence of aging. In this important volume, she presents her theory of learned dependency based upon 20 years of research, which holds that dependency plays an important role in successful aging and is a resourceful adaptation to aging losses.The Many Faces of Dependency in Old Age, first published in 1997, provides insights into the social foundation of dependency. Its theoretical foundation and its broad empirical base distinguish it from others in its field. This book attempts to correct the bias towards the virtues of independence over the vicissitudes of dependence, a predominantly North American view. It stresses that dependencies are not always dysfunctional, representing only loss. Baltes also incorporates European, Japanese and feminist ideas about juxtaposing individuality and connectedness in the mature adult.

Margret Baltes, a major researcher in gerontology, challenges the deterministic view that dependence is a natural consequence of aging. In this important volume, she presents her theory of learned dependency based upon 20 years of research, which holds that dependency plays an important role in successful aging and is a resourceful adaptation to aging losses.The Many Faces of Dependency in Old Age, first published in 1997, provides insights into the social foundation of dependency. Its theoretical foundation and its broad empirical base distinguish it from others in its field. This book attempts to correct the bias towards the virtues of independence over the vicissitudes of dependence, a predominantly North American view. It stresses that dependencies are not always dysfunctional, representing only loss. Baltes also incorporates European, Japanese and feminist ideas about juxtaposing individuality and connectedness in the mature adult.

For a long time, research on developmental issues in the biological and social sciences has been primarily concerned with the early stages of the lifespan, such as infancy and adolescence. More and more researchers have recently turned their attention to the problems of development and aging in the later periods of life. This volume, based on papers presented by the European Network on Longitudinal Studies on Individual Development, deals with success in the aging process. From a medical or public health viewpoint, successful aging consists of optimizing life expectancy while at the same time minimizing physical, psychological, and social morbidity. Achievement of successful aging requires that the onset of infirmity, on average, increases more rapidly than average life expectancy, compressing morbidity into a shorter period. Current behavioral and social research shows physical plasticity in seniors, strong associations between lifestyle and health, increasingly healthy lifestyles on a national basis, and decreasing incidence of chronic disease.