Introduction

It is always interesting to know what experts in a field do when it comes to themselves, and that question is particularly intriguing when we seek to learn what B.F. Skinner, world renowned behavioral psychologist, sought to do with regard to his own aging process. His ideas and practices were captured in a book he co-authored with gerontologist Margaret Vaughn (Enjoy Old Age: A Program of Self-Management, W. W. Norton., 1983).

Though the book is out of print, the value of its contents -i.e. how Skinner applied his own ideas to life as an aging person - is still worth considering, especially for readers who may not be able to locate this book easily.

Enjoying old age - Skinner's secret

As Skinner puts it, people should pay attention to what they like or do not like to do, but he adds an important caveat: What we like will depend a lot on the consequences of our actions, whether they reinforce us with positive experiences. While it is impossible to always arrange matters so that we get to do what things are most reinforcing to us, for Skinner this is the secret of enjoying old age.

Keeping in touch with the world

Keeping in touch with the world is an important way to continue receiving positive reinforcement in life. Reading newspapers, magazines and books, for example, or surfing the internet for information are all potential sources of "positive reinforcement" - i.e. something that offers us a pleasurable reward for our actions

Techniques for effective dealing with differences have been around for some time and have produced results in various areas including politics, business and marital counseling. What is common to all of these settings is a set of skills that can be learned. With practice, they allow people to move forward in a way that leaves all parties feeling satisfied.

Keeping up with the world also means paying attention to one's senses -especially to small differences in pain and pleasure. Skinner recommends that one avoid situations and people who do not give pleasure to the senses; for example, avoiding restaurants where music is played so loudly people have to shout to be heard. Additionally, it can be gratifying to give up items, events and activities that are annoying. So if your chair, bed or lamp no longer suit you, throw it out and replace it with something that gives you pleasure on a daily basis. In other words, you do not have to put up with something that feels uncomfortable, especially if you have the option of changing things.

Meeting the challenge of keeping in touch with the world

Keeping in touch with the world also becomes more complex with age. As Skinner advises, one must compensate for lagging facilities in memory by creating physical reminders that replace cognitive skills. For example, keeping notes and lists, rather than trying to commit things to memory. Of course, since forgetting names is not just an "old person" problem, the usual remedies for remembering names, such as reintroducing oneself, are suggested.

Similar solutions are suggested for times when thoughts become muddled. Again keeping calendars, notes and lists is suggested.

In addition, however, being in good physical condition is important, since the brain is a bodily organ after all. Thus, being tired may actually be at the root of much confusion, rather than old age per se.

Simplifying and clarifying one's environment is also recommended, because if there are too many things in too many different places in one's life, anyone can become confused - at any age!

Keeping continuously involved with things that matter

It is important to stay continuously involved in things that matter and that are significant to oneself. Keeping in dialogue with others stimulates the skill of speaking intelligently, which can be lost through disuse. In addition, trying out new ways of doing things and new ways of exploring and thinking about things is also important.

Recognizing that creativity is a life long process

It has been noted that although major contributions are often made by people in their 30's and 40's, other peaks in performance often occur in the 60's and 70's. In lyric poetry, for example, often considered the province of the young romantic, superior work was noted among those 25-29, but another peak period for these poets was between 80-84. In the Louvre, significant works are represented by painters in their 30's as well as in their 70's. Michaelangelo died at 89 - still painting- and Verdi wrote Falstaff at 80.

Achieving satisfaction through satisfying relationships

Skinner proposed that getting along with other people is a primary factor in terms of making life more enjoyable. If one wants to have friends, manners and good comportment are as important at 80 as at 40.

Living with others is one way to facilitate having satisfying relationships. While it is sometimes difficult to adjust to living more closely with a partner after retirement, it is generally worth the effort. Living with someone who is not one's marriage partner can also be a viable idea. Keep in mind that living together involves various arrangements, including cohabitation in either a platonic or a sexual relationship. There are many variations on platonic relationships, from roommates to those who take in boarders.

Reacting to emotional distress

The authors also address problems of emotional distress. To the extent possible, they suggest that the most important strategy is to shift the circumstances that give rise to the discomfort or distress. For example, instead of trying to feel more cheerful through an act of will, a depressed person might try to change the circumstances that feed into the depression.

Additionally, distress can be alleviated or at least made more tolerable by keeping in mind the fact that it is not possible to feel sad and be intensely involved in something at the same time. For some people, fear of death is a strong negative emotion. However, when these people are fully engaged in an activity, these fears tend to disappear.

Additional recommendations

Other recommendations include keeping busy, especially at productive and interesting activities, whether paid employment or volunteer work. Keeping active also entails such things as the pursuit of leisure, and, building variety into one's pursuits.

He suggests pursuing activities that also produce excitement, and adds an idiosyncratic list of possibilities. For example, he proposes that gambling adds enjoyment to life as long as it is done within the bounds of affordability and agreement with one's significant others. Gambling is not done to win, of course, but to risk uncertainty, which brings a certain pleasurable tension. According to the authors, watching sports, especially with a little side wagering, is a good psychological lift for the same reasons.

Additionally, he suggests that reading and watching soap operas can also be exhilarating pastimes. Sexual activity is also recommended, either through direct involvement or through vicarious substitutes, if the latter are more practical.

Creating a new kind of future

What matters the most in aging is the way in which you construct your world. If you have created a world that "permits you to live a tranquil, dignified, and enjoyable life, you will be doubly admired - not only for a great performance, but for writing a last act that plays so well." (pg. 153).

This is a powerful suggestion. In saying this, Skinner tells the reader that the act of creation may challenge our cultural expectations and deviate from existing views on aging. But it also means that people have choices as to how they "play" out the role of 50 and beyond- and in so doing- create a happier and more satisfying future.

This suggestion opens the way for considering the role of the older person as open-ended, with new options dependent on the ways in which people think about them creatively. Thus, how one "plays" 50-and-beyond creates cultural expectations that may deviate considerably from prior models of aging.