Baltes's Life-Span Theory - Model Reaction Paper

Running head: Model Reaction Paper 1
Model Reaction Paper
Baltes's Life-Span Theory
Mark Love
Western Kentucky University

MODEL REACTION PAPER 2
Baltes, Reese, & Lipsitt (1980) as well as Baltes, Staudinger, & Lindenberger (1998) developed
a theory called the Baltes Lifespan theory, which perceives development as change related on
age, in the capacity to adapt and an individual's ability to make changes based on positivity in
reaction to diversity. The theory gets outlined by three components which are; the efficacy of
culture, need for culture as well as evolution selection.
Firstly, the group of scholars defines evolution selection as the primary benefit of the human
genome that is directly proportional to the decrease in age. Evolution selection is reproductive
fitness where all the genes virtually laid out by natural selection appear early during the
reproductive years.
Secondly, the component of a need for culture described in that it increases as one gets old. In
chapter two of the book “The journey of adulthood” scholars describe them as cultural resources
which include cognitive skills, socialization strategies, physical structures, motivational
dispositions, written documents, economic systems, as well as medical and physical approach
(Bee & Bjorklund, 1996).These cultural components involve the key ingredients that get used as
aging occurs with the increase in age.
Thirdly, the efficacy of culture is the component or stage where cultural resources are in
continuation of usage, but they need a wise usage. Efficacy decreases as age increases. An
excellent example for this component is an ageing singer who still performs at the age of 60
years. In his performance, he will play fewer concerts as well as limit the time used in
performing each show to ensure that he performs best and as per the desired level by the
audience.