Question

In order to maintain his status as an admired pianist, the late Arthur Rubinstein during his old age used special strategies, such as slowing down before fast segments, thus creating a perception of faster playing. Which factor of Baltes's theory does this reflect?

Answer 1

Answer:

The Baltes' model of successful aging and its considerations for Aging Life Care

Explanation:

Baltes theory of successful aging – usually referred to as the SOC (selection, optimization, compensation) model. This model seemed to say that the old school of thought – disengagement – could be replaced by actively pursuing the means to make any specific situation better.

The selection, optimization and compensation (SOC) model, first presented by Baltes and Baltes (1990), provides a general theory for conceptualizing processes of successful development generally and in aging in particular (S.-C. Li & Freund, 2005). The meta-model of SOC evaluates cognitive-motivational processes regulating human development across the life span and was originally designed and developed as an explanatory framework for adaptation to aging.

The key concept of SOC describes a general process of adaptation that individuals are likely to engage in throughout life and is essential for the achievement of higher levels of functioning (P. B. Baltes & Baltes, 1990). The model takes the global view that at all stages of human development individuals manage their lives successfully through the developmental regulation processes of selection, optimization, and compensation. Successful development involves the orchestration of these three processes (selection, optimization, and compensation) which in turn, regulate the maximization of gains and minimization of losses over time. Selection, optimization, and compensation can be conceived of as one single “integrative” process of adaptive mastery and also on a lower or more micro level of aggregation, the facets of SOC can be viewed as separate processes, each contributing to successful development (Freund & Baltes, 1998b).

Selection refers to an individual focusing attention on fewer, more important goals e.g. rescaling/reconstructing goals. Optimization involves engaging in goal-directed actions and means; examples include investing time and energy into the acquisition, refinement and application of goal-relevant means, seizing the right moment, persistence, acquisition of new skills/resources, and practice of skills.

Compensation maintains a given level of functioning in the face of loss and decline in goal-relevant means by individuals investing in compensatory means.