Introduction

In the first part of this book we hope to consider the context within which psychological work with older people is grounded. This takes in, first, the way that psychological theory has developed, with particular reference to CAT, and how both an individual’s chronological age and personal life story, generational and cultural identity have been and can be viewed in the context of an interpersonal theory of mind and behaviour. Second, we consider the changing place of older people in Western society, around the concepts of ‘ageism’ and ‘elderhood’.