Personal identity (see [Personal] Identity Theory), the most elementary of the four identities, was pioneered by American sociological social psychologists (SSPs), particularly Sheldon Stryker. SSPs emphasize how demographic, social, and cultural factors affect human social interaction.
Gerontology, as defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is âthe comprehensive study of aging and the problems of the aged.â Many people confuse gerontology with geriatrics. Whereas geriatrics focuses strictly on the medical conditions and disease of the aging, gerontology is a multidisciplinary study that incorporates biology, psychology and sociology. Because gerontology deals with multi-faceted aspects of aging, gerontology professionals can be found in a variety of industries including health care, government, nonprofits and the business community.
Modern gerontology studies the mechanisms and causes of aging on all levelsâfrom the molecular and cellular to the level of the organism as a whole. Special attention is given to the role of the processes of nervous regulation.