Tracing the History of Geropsychology in Japan : Reminiscing with a Pioneer

Authors :: Oba, Hikaru
Source :: 生老病死の行動科学. 26:3-9
Publication Year :: 2022
Publisher :: 大阪大学大学院人間科学研究科臨床死生学・老年行動学研究室, 2022.
Abstract: 寄稿<br />Contributed Article<br />Geropsychology was introduced to Japan in 1927 through a published paper in the Japanese Journal of Psychology by Kakusho Tachibana; however, its development began in the 1970s. This paper traces the history of geropsychology in Japan since the 1970s to the present through an interview with Professor Shinichi Sato, who is a pioneer in this research field. Geropsychology research focused on experimental studies during the 1970s, and gradually moved to large-scale studies in the 1990s, while incorporating psychologists. Currently, geropsychology is applied in clinical psychology practices. Professor Sato highlighted three important future research issues: 1) frailty prevention, which is the entrance into old age, 2) terminal prevention, which is the end stage of individual life, and 3) social awareness regarding the importance of geropsychological research and tasks in Japan.