臧國仁、蔡琰

Kuo-Jen Tsang & Yean Tsai

人老、方法論、反思、老人、傳播

aging, methodology, reflection, the elders, communication

本文從「方法論」（methodology）角度剖析「老人傳播」研究之困境與未來展望。除「前言」略述其發展起因與本質外，其餘皆在反思如有關「研究對象」之定義與內涵、研究者之「世界觀」以及「研究設計」等議題。次則引介來自心理學的人文反思經驗，藉此呼籲「老人傳播」研究者仿效、學習並持樂觀與超越自我的精神，來持續鑽研傳播與老齡的關係。

This paper focuses on the limitations of the methodologies of “aging communication” research.

The paper first briefly reviews the origins and nature of aging communication research. It then describes the problems that have been previously discussed by aging communication researchers, such as the problems related to the definition of the research subject, worldview of the researchers, and research design.

Researchers in the field of aging communication are suggested to consider aging as a process of narrating life stories rather than a process of decay. People can adjust their lives by sharing stories regarding themselves, their families, or their colleagues in interactions. This paper suggests that positive attitudes should be adopted in aging communication research by borrowing reflective experiences from some subareas in psychology.