Socio-Gerontechnology – ein Forschungsprogramm zu Technik und Alter(n) an der Schnittstelle von Gerontologie und Science-and-Technology Studies

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A vast body of gerontological research addresses the questions how and why older adults use new technologies or not. While the majority of them advocate a differentiated understanding of age(ing), most are based on a narrow understanding of technology, reducing it to manifest artefacts. To broaden such an understanding, gerontology can learn from science and technology studies (STS). This article discusses STS approaches and perspectives on age(ing) and technologies as well as their compatibility with gerontological research. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on state of the art literature in STS, this research overview addresses two questions: which aspects does an STS perspective on age(ing) and technologies emphasize? Which concepts are being used in STS to research age(ing) and technologies? RESULTS: Respective research analyzes firstly, how (negative) images of ageing are inscribed into technologies throughout the design and development process and secondly, the creative everyday interactions between older adults and technologies. In doing so, images of ageing, technological artefacts, developers and older (non)users are equally conceptualized as agential. CONCLUSION: The paper outlines a socio-gerontechnological research agenda by outlining three thematic areas: (1) materialities of ageing that exceed innovative technology, (2) the relations between images of ageing and technological innovation discourses, and (3) the technological agency of older adults.

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