The origins and influence of social science perspectives have conditioned theoretical and empirical developments in the field of gerontology. Yet little systematic examination has been afforded to the role of social science in the production of gerontological knowledge in providing the underlying rationale for American social policy for the aged. This paper examines the dominant U.S. social science perspectives or paradigms and discusses the reasons for their centrality in American gerontological thought. The paper concludes with a proposal for an alternative line of inquiry — a political economy of ageing — which takes as problematic the effects of social history, the world economy, capitalism and social class on the ageing process and the aged and the policy interventions designed for them.

In France, owing to the current economic crisis, a new old age has emerged consisting of individuals of 50 to 65 years, not yet retired, unemployed and definitively excluded from the world of work, thereby representing a new category of population, whom we will henceforth refer to as the early-terminated. The political, psychological and behavioural responses of the socio-economic sub-groups within this category are analysed from the author's research findings in the iron and steel and textile industries.

The second part of this article attempts to situate this particular group within a changing framework of ideologies on the nature of old age, and on policies for the management of industrial change, for retirement and for the elderly. The author distinguishes three definitions of old age in France, from his own empirical studies in specific regions (Grenoble, Paris) and on state policy since 1945. In the first (post-war) period, old age became ‘retirement’; in the second (19605 and early 19705), ‘the third age’; in the third (present period), old age is being defined by economic forces and factors.

The present paper argues that some apparent deficits found in cognitive ageing may result from models that focus on youth-centered, formal-logical standards of thinking. An alternative model of adult development is proposed which explains these apparent deficits in terms of progressive reorganizations where decline in performance may be a consequence of the growth of more complex and highly differentiated skills. More specifically, the contextualization of formal logic or the reintegration of logic and affect found in older adult thinking is seen to represent a mature level of cognitive differentiation characterized by an autonomous, socially-oriented, and dialectical mode of reasoning. This theoretical perspective is substantiated by a review of the literature evidencing this kind of progression. Future research implications are discussed.

Based on a study of the elderly in rural communities, the paper makes comparisons with data from more urban studies in the U.K. The findings indicate that while availability of and contact with family members is comparable, satisfaction with the amount of contact is considerably higher in the rural context. This higher level of satisfaction holds even for retired migrants who have less contact. It is suggested that satisfaction may be higher because needs for contact are met by a greater variety of other forms of association and support. The data demonstrate that the rural elderly do in fact have higher levels of contact with neighbours; are more likely to belong to voluntary associations; are more likely to belong to a religious group and to be visited by the clergy, and are more likely to become involved in sparetime activities which enhance the likelihood for social contact. Dependency on family, therefore, appears to be lower. While rural communities do not appear to preserve family cohesion, opportunities for community integration are enhanced and are reflected in higher levels of satisfaction.