著者

橘 覚勝

出版者

大阪大学

雑誌

大阪大學文學部紀要 (ISSN:04721373)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.6, pp.1-359, 1958-03-25

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The purpose of this paper is to explain and clarify the psychological structure of the process of aging and the aged. Facts and theories concerning them in biological, physiological. and sociological fields were collected in order to confirm the structure. This investigation, therefore, was divided into the following three parts. Part I Biological research in the span of life Part II Cultural-historical survey of the conception of the aged Part III Psychological investigation in the mental structure of the aged and each part contains such articles as below mentioned: (General introduction) Part I Chapter 1 What is aging ? Chapter 2 Statistical study in heredity of the length of life Chapter 3 Demographic and geographic distribution of the aged in Japan Part II Chapter 1 Role and status of the aged in primitive culture Chapter 2 The origin and development of 'Respect for the aged' in Japan Chapter 3 Historical survey of the pious ceremony and the welfare service for the aged in Japan Part III Chapter 1 Self-consciousness in aging period Chapter 2 Color preference of the aged Chapter 3 Experimental study in maze-learning of the aged Chapter 4 Reminiscences of the aged in early childhood Chapter 5 Some results of association test on the aged by Kent-Rosanoff table Chapter 6 Results of introversion-extroversion test on the aged Chapter 7 Experimental studies in mental and physical works of the aged-including Practce effect in motor speed and strength, and Bilateral difference Chapter 8 Religious experiences of the aged Chapter 9 A study of life conception of the aged through last words Chapter 10 'Alterskunst'--Structure of Sabi-experience (Conclusion) Current trends in gerontology--including general results of above mentioned investigations In each article the essential problem relevant to aging precess and the naged was treated of with various methods--experiment, measurement and survey. In conclusion we could manifest the mental structsre of the aged as 'Unentfaltete Vielheit' (undeveloped manifoldness), corresponding to E. Stern's conception concerning the one of the childhood and adolescence. More concretely speaking, contrary to the biological and social needs for perfection and adjustment in adolescence, indifference to family and social life and retirement from it with physical and mental frustrations give rise to our so-called structure of 'Unentfaltete Vielheit' and egocentric characteristics in senescence, and we could assume such period chronologically between 65 and 75 years of age. Recently, after World War II, in every country, especially in America, the problems of aging process and the aged are becoming very serious in medicine, sociology and psychology under the name of 'Gerontology'. We must promote out investigations further and further in every branch of science as important future problem.