Reviews data on behavior and attitudes towards the aged in preliterate societies, indicating that the aged maintain meaningful roles and are not subject to the pervasive discrimination and negative stereotyping existent in America. Discusses theories providing a perspective on and understanding of biologic and psychosocial causes of ageism.…

Questions the assumption that behavioral, mental, or cognitive incompetence accompanies the biological aging process. Investigates the philosophical, psychological, social, and cultural-historical bases to this erroneous assumption. Concludes that gerontological psychologists have directly contributed to the negative stereotypes of elderly…