An Analysis: Comparing and Contrasting Ageing Theories in Psychology

This essay delves into the complex process of ageing by comparing and contrasting two prominent biological theories: the free radical theory and the wear and tear theory. The essay begins by defining ageing and highlighting the physical, social, and psychological changes that occur over time. The free radical theory posits that ageing is a result of oxidative damage to cells and tissues caused by free radicals, which are byproducts of aerobic metabolism. The essay explains the role of antioxidants and discusses evidence supporting this theory, while also acknowledging its limitations. The wear and tear theory suggests that ageing occurs due to the gradual damage to the body and cells as they are used over time, similar to a mechanical system. The essay explores the theory's relation to daily life and cultural perceptions, discussing how factors like accidents, exposure to toxins, and the body's inability to replace certain cells contribute to the ageing process. A detailed comparison and contrast of the two theories is then provided, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and implications for healthy living. The essay concludes by synthesizing the arguments and offering a firm conclusion that addresses the key areas introduced in the beginning, providing a comprehensive overview of the biological aspects of ageing.

Running head: SOCIAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
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In simple words, the process of ageing is defined as growing old and getting older.
Together all the changes that take place and occurs to living beings is represented through
ageing. It occurs over time that involves physical, social and psychological changes (Sontag,
2018). A large number of people have been affected by deterioration associated with age.
Although the method of ageing is unavoidable and inevitable with advance learning of the
process, it will give insights to the aspects that help in the wellness of the ageing people and
maintaining better health. The present paper aims to discuss the process of ageing with two well-
known biological theories of ageing. The paper will discuss the theories of ageing named radical
theory and the wear and tear theory. The aim of the paper will also involve comparison and
contrast between the two theories.
As per to Cosco et al. (2014), any definition of ageing cannot be called universal,
however ageing is defined as the result of human body progression and changes that happen over
time. Over time, it makes the body prone to diseases and leads the chances of death to a greater
extent. It is the wearing of the body structure as well as function gradually towards the highest
peak of development and maturity of people. Also, numerous researchers have made possible
narrowing down the broad perspective and theories of ageing. Broadly the theory of ageing are
distinguished into the category of “why do we age” and “how do we age”. However, there are
very few theories that provide proper explanation as to the reasons for ageing.
The free radical theory of ageing: one of the most prominent and profound theories of
ageing is free radical theory. The free radical theory states, the cumulative progress of human
body results in ageing, which is causing the human body’s oxidative damage to the tissues and
cells that arise because of aerobic metabolism. In the year 1950s, it was first proposed by
Harman. Harman stated that free radicals are resulted from the oxygen, which is the prime reason

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for the harm caused to the cells. The free radicals are unsuccessfully counterbalanced by the
antioxidant systems that generates continuously during the cell’s lifetime. This results in
oxidative damage within the cell, followed by tissues. Understanding free radicals and
antioxidant is vital for understanding the entire theory of ageing. Free radicals are the byproducts
of the standard cell functions. When they create energy, the cells create unstable oxygen
molecules. The free radicals make connections with the other molecules in the body that causes
proteins involving significant molecules for not function as they are needed. The free radicals are
created in the specific natural process. This may be caused due to diet, stress, and alcohol. The
causes can also be due to exposure to sun, inflammation, drugs and air pollution (Halliwell &
Gutteridge, 2015).
Antioxidants are substances that can be found in plants. These substances are particles
perform as sponge by soaking and minimize the agents of injury which occur by free radicals.
Few of the scholars believe that from eating vegetables and fruits, there can be full benefits of
these antioxidants. The theory of ageing states that in it is through free radicals that result in
several changes in the human body such as protein cross-linking, DNA and several other changes
associated with it. All the damages when accumulated, it causes ageing to the body. Certain
evidence suggests the same in favor of the argument. According to the researches on this aspect,
there is a rising number of antioxidant in the food intakes of some animals such as mice and rats,
which causes them to age much slower. However, there are some areas where the theory is not
found justified for every change occurring in the body while ageing. Also, there is a large
possibility for ageing equation free radicals are only partially responsible and not entirely.
It is also important to note that lately, researches have shown some evidence on free
radicals and its benefit for the body. In certain cases the consumption of antioxidants is required

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more than usual through food. However, taking more than needed may have an opposite result
than what is expected. Moreover, it is mention unclearly in regard to the findings that by any
way it will transfer into humans or not. However, there are researchers who research the reasons
for ageing free radical theory.
The wear and tear theory: as per to Birch‐Machin and Bowman (2016), wear and tear
theory of ageing is considered to be the most reliable theories. The theory suggests that the
ageing occurs due to the gradual damage to the body, and the ageing of the cells occurs over
time. The human body significantly ages as it is something that gets used overtime throughout
life. As the human body begins to wear out, it fails to function correctly for a more extended
period. The theory has a deep relation with thinking and perception of the daily conversation and
culture. German biologists Dr, August Weismann, were the first theorist to propose this theory.
The theory simply believes the body of humans to be like a mechanical system which is going to
wear off year after year with as it gets used more and more. This theory is often used in reference
to the deterioration theory or fundamental limitation theory. The wear and tear theory is such that
certainly makes the most sense compared to other theories of ageing. It can be observed
occurring in the surrounding with other objects as well. The same process takes place in the
inmate objects such as clothes and cars.
According to Gladyshev (2014), there are many things that can damage human body,
including accidents and incidents or insults. Through many things, human genes can get
damaged, such as exposure to toxin, ultraviolet lights and radiation. The effects of the way body
function are also damaging in a few incidents to the body. When a body metabolizes, oxygen
free radicals are produced and damages the tissues and cells of human body. The cellular systems
of our body do not allow replacement of cells such as brain cells in our body. Therefore, due to

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not being incapable of being replaced, they are lost functioning. The DBNA present in the body
can sustain the damage and accumulate the errors while continuing the cells to divide. Hence,
with the act of division of cells repeatedly, it shortens the longevity of the chromosomes. As a
result, it makes the situation of being senescent cells which fail to be divided more. Oxidative
damage in cells results in cross linking of proteins which might prevent the tasks of the cells. The
free radicals inside mitochondria harm the cell membranes and prevent it to function properly.
There are several differences and areas that require attention when it comes to comparing
the two theories. In spite of the findings discovered in the free radical theory, it cannot be denied
that it provides one of the best concepts of ageing. It helps in avoiding smoking, drinking, eating
unhealthy food and drinking a good amount of water along with exercising. The free radical
theory of ageing is mainly focused in considering factors with minute care. These are the way
one can lead to a healthy lifestyle. Also, it is essential to note that even though they are good
ways to take care of the body, they have the possibility of reducing production of free radicals
(Ziegler, Wiley & Velarde, 2015).
Considering the other theory, the wear and tear theory of ageing is suitably fit. The logic
behind ageing and the theory of wear and tear perfectly makes sense. It reflects some of the most
exclusive processes when they are put under observation in a microscope which is in support of
wear and tear theory. The wear and tear theory has made possible looking at ageing without the
consideration of the chronicle age. The chronicle age is very significant for explaining the
deterioration of an individual or an object. An important science law such as physics and
chemistry is the wear and tear theory on a broader level. As per this law, every system tends
towards progressive disorganization. Several functions on the on the level of cells have declined

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considering the age. Although a proper diet helps the body cells into better health, they become
incapable of taking more nutrients with age (Yang et al., 2016).
There are several arguments that go against the theory which states the perspective that
the human body is tremendously capable of repairing the injured body. The human DNA is
equipped with genetic damage control, which makes possible to repair the damage. Along with
this perception, there are certain studies that reveal that ageing is a process that can be entirely or
partly reversed by simply making change to the microenvironment of cells or certain hormonal
cells. (Roos, Thomas & Kaina, 2016). However, there are certain damages which cannot be
repaired at any circumstances. The growth of the organic phase is present in this theory, which
only eventually grows tougher. Often living creatures begins their life delicately just like a care
taken out freshly from the assembly line. It is observed that it is repairable and replaceable to
most of the parts which are broken by them. In addition, there are cases where wear and tear
have proved to be more appropriate and increasing life expectancy. The biochemical nature of
the body is the reason why there are differences in the lifespan among various species, which is
the reason that lifespan of different animals and species differ. It is due to this reason that some
animals such as blue whales live twice than human beings. Also, it is expected to this specific
reason that salmons become energetic while swimming and spawning. It clearly states that varius
things enter into the bodies of human beings which are uncontrollable. According to various
researchers, the decrease in functioning can be perceived as ‘tear’ in the tear and wear theory
which is the reason for ageing (Vijg & Kennedy, 2016).
As stated earlier, the definition of ageing is the process of growth and becoming older.
The changes occurring in living beings are represented through ageing. It occurs over time that
involves physical, social and psychological changes. The free radical theory of ageing: one of the

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most prominent and profound theories of ageing is free radical theory. According to free radical
theory, ageing is the cumulative result of the human body’s oxidative damage to the cells and
tissues that arises primarily as a result of aerobic metabolism. The wear and tear theory suggests
that the ageing occurs due to the progressive damage to the body, and the ageing of the cells
occurs over time. The body of human significantly wears out since it is used throughout the
lifetime. There are several differences and areas that require attention when it comes to
comparing the two theories. Irrespective of the findings that are achieved in the free radical
theory of ageing, it cannot be denied that it provides one of the best concepts of ageing. There
are several arguments that go against the theory which states the perspective that the human body
is tremendously capable of repairing the damage. The human DNA is equipped with genetic
damage control, which makes possible to repair the tear and damage. On the other hand, the free
radical theory of ageing depends on the factors of ageing and dependent on oxygen; however in
wear and tear theory, time plays a crucial role in ageing as well as the capacity of cells.

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References:
Birch‐Machin, M. A., & Bowman, A. (2016). Oxidative stress and ageing. British Journal of
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definitions of successful aging: a systematic review. International
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Gladyshev, V. N. (2014). The free radical theory of aging is dead. Long live the damage
theory!. Antioxidants & redox signaling, 20(4), 727-731.
Halliwell, B., & Gutteridge, J. M. (2015). Free radicals in biology and medicine. Oxford
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Roos, W. P., Thomas, A. D., & Kaina, B. (2016). DNA damage and the balance between
survival and death in cancer biology. Nature Reviews Cancer, 16(1), 20.
Sontag, S. (2018). The double standard of aging. In The Other Within Us (pp. 19-24). Routledge.
Vijg, J., & Kennedy, B. K. (2016). The essence of aging. Gerontology, 62(4), 381-385.
Yang, W., Norrlund, P., Saarinen, L., Yang, J., Guo, W., & Zeng, W. (2016). Wear and tear on
hydro power turbines–Influence from primary frequency control. Renewable energy, 87,
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Ziegler, D. V., Wiley, C. D., & Velarde, M. C. (2015). Mitochondrial effectors of cellular
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