Age Stereotyping: Are We Oversimplifying the Phenomenon?

Abstract

This study investigates the use of age stereotypes in evaluating individuals' behavior in context-specific situations. One hundred university students assessed young male, young female, old male, and old female characters in four vignettes using the Rosencranz and McNevin Semantic Differential. The data revealed limited but conflicting evidence of the use of stereotypes when the stimuli portrayed target characters in lifelike situations rather than in an experimental vacuum. It is argued that while stereotyping can occur in specific contexts, its form is greatly influenced by other aspects of the situation. The need to reconceptualize the notion of stereotypes of the elderly is discussed, and a shift in emphasis toward the analysis of subgroup stereotypes as opposed to one consistent global stereotype of old age is urged.

Caring for older people with dementia in residential care: nursing students’ experiences

“…In Australia, as in other Western nations, there are long‐standing problems with the recruitment of nurses into care of older people. It is a problem acknowledged as ‘the most significant issue’ related to the elder care workforce (Department of Education, Science and Training and Department of Health and Ageing 2002, p. 28) and is compounded by the prevalence of negative images and stereotypes associated with older people (Braithwaite et al. 1986, Edgar 1991, Koch & Webb 1996, Herdman 2002).…”

“…In Australia, as in other Western nations, there are longstanding problems with the recruitment of nurses into care of older people. It is a problem acknowledged as 'the most significant issue' related to the elder care workforce (Department of Education, Science and Training and Department of Health and Ageing 2002, p. 28) and is compounded by the prevalence of negative images and stereotypes associated with older people (Braithwaite et al 1986, Edgar 1991, Koch & Webb 1996, Herdman 2002. It is well documented that care of older people is perceived as the practice option least attractive to nurses (Stein et al 2000) and that, like colleagues in other disciplines, nursing students have ageist attitudes (Lookinland & Anson 1995, Sö derhamn et al 2001.…”

The Effects of Age Stereotypes on Tour Leader Roles

“…In forming impressions of younger adults, age stereotypes have been found to supersede the other distinguishing characteristics (e.g., gender, occupation, and ethnicity) that are normally used. The traditional view is that older people are judged by younger people to be less active and sociable, and are linked to negative concepts such as frailty, slowness, irritability, dependency, withdrawal, vagueness, and stagnation (Braithwaite, Gibson, andHolman 1985-1986). In summarizing 117 previous research articles and books about age stereotypes in the workplace, Posthuma and Campion (2009) found that there was also the belief that older workers were less capable, less motivated, and less productive than their younger coworkers.…”

How changing quality management influenced PGME accreditation: a focus on decentralization and quality improvement

“…Accreditation is intended to improve the quality of PGME [ 9 , 13 , 14 ]. Although accreditation is usually a top-down process with a considerable impact on PGME programs, critical literature concerning its design is scarce [ 15 – 17 ]. Understanding and appraising its functional components will enhance not only its design but also its effective use by both accreditors and teaching hospitals striving for excellence.…”