Attitudes toward older people can influence how they are treated and their cognitive and physical health. The populations of the United States and many other countries have become more ethnically diverse, and are aging. Yet little research examines how ethnic diversity affects attitudes toward older people. Our study addresses this research gap.…

The fact that Canada's working population is aging and will continue to do so is no surprise to anyone. What is surprising though is what many of these aging workers are experiencing in the late years of their career: They continue to be the target of negative stereotypes which in turn, reinforce discrimination and marginalization practices. The…

Children's prejudice against the aged was studied in terms of their responses to an attitude scale and measures of their social interaction with aged compared to nonaged confederates. Findings indicated significant levels of ageist prejudice among six- and eight-year-olds but not in four-year-olds. Eight-year-olds had highest prejudice scores.…

Investigates use of age stereotypes in evaluating individuals' behavior in context-specific situations. Data reveals limited but conflicting evidence of the use of stereotypes when stimuli portrayed target characters in lifelike situations rather than in an experimental vacuum. Argues that stereotyping is greatly influenced by other aspects of the…

A contextual age construct was developed and examined as transactional, life-position index of aging. The findings reflect the weak validity of chronological age as a unidimensional indicator of life-position and well-being. (Author/BL)

A study of college students showed that persons scoring higher in aggression demonstrated more negative attitudes toward the aged. Females, older students, and graduate students were more positive. Students majoring in business subjects tended to be more negative, while social work students had the most positive attitudes toward older people.…

Preschool children (N=102) viewed sex facial pictures of two fictitiously aged adults and then rated competence of the adults on six physical activities. Children's assessments of the competence of adult participation in physical activity were largely dictated by their perceptions of the adult's age. Adults perceived as older were rated as less…

Despite the frequently referenced graying of the U.S. workforce, we know relatively little about the work-related concerns and experiences of older workers--those aged 55+. This qualitative study addresses that gap by examining the current employment situations of a purposive sample of 37 older workers. Thematic content analysis revealed a vast…

Examined the possible functions served by old age stereotypes from a sociocultural frame of reference. Tested the hypothesis that problem-oriented conceptions of older persons are part of an emerging political ideology. Using survey responses reports the relation between aging stereotypes and attitudes toward federal support of the aged. (Author)

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.…

Examines nonverbal expressions of power and control in the daily lives of old people from a life-span perspective. Because of societal devaluation of the aged and later life declines in power resources, old people experience loss of status and social control during everyday nonverbal rituals of dominance and deference. (Author)

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…

Studied the responses of children aged four to seven to photographs of older adults. Results indicated age discrimination was highly accurate by age six. Most expressed positive views of activities shared with grandparents but identified older adults in general as sad, lonely, and not busy. (Author/JAC)