This is the first of three volumes which comprise a review of the social, psychological, and biological aspects of aging. This volume organizes, evaluates, and interprets research data, concepts, theories, and issues in aging from the perspectives of the various social sciences. Intended for use by researchers, professional practitioners, policymakers, and students, the "Handbook" is organized into five sections. The first section, "The Social Aspects of Aging," considers the origins and scope of interest in aging as a social phenomenon, some of the presuppositions that underlie the study of age-related changes and the life span context in which aging takes place. A second section, "Aging and Social Structure," deals with changes in the age structure of populations, with the role and status of the aged in various societies, and with contemporary intergenerational relations. In the third section, "Aging and Social Systems," the contributors discuss differences among age strata in a variety of social systems, and how aging persons affect and are in turn affected by family life, housing and institutional arrangements, the economy, patterns of work, retirement and leisure, and the law and political systems. In the fourth section, "Aging and Interpersonal Behavior," the authors consider social networks, role changes through the life span, and death and dying. The final section on "Aging and Social Intervention" treats the political and strategic issues involved in contemporary and future societal efforts to provide and deploy income, health and social services, and other social resources to the aging. (Author/RM)