Fourth and fifth grade students wrote essays on what "an old person" meant to them. Content analysis revealed anticipated categories and response frequencies. Emphasizes the implications of using non-directive methods critiquing the biasing and non-comparable methods commonly used. Urges ensuring that attitudes are measured in terms of children's…

Considers the problems inherent in researching changes in social values and individual perspectives among selected age groups. Asserts that studies aimed at researching both aspects need to be organized as longitudinal studies. Utilizes data taken from a study of East and West Berlin adolescents to reveal specific research problems. (MJP)