Content of Age-Based Stereotypes(1)

Clusters of age based stereotypes reflect the ageist attitudes, (some

positive) such as the notion that older aged adults are less competent

the younger adults or on the other hand, wiser. Studies also suggest

the belief that as we age, we are less independent and strong. We are

also seen as less attractive. Hence we often see commercials promising

that the item for sale will help reduce wrinkles. “ Consider the number of

terms that are used for older adults that reflect unattractiveness, such as

crone, goat, hag, witch, withered, and wrinkled (Palmore, 1990)

For those of you who are interested in ageism the items are

on Table 9.3, p. 376, in the book listed below. There are five factors

considered characteristics of aging

Intolerance	Health/Physical Appearance	Personality	Dejected	Activity/Sociability
Get upset easily	Have health problems	Are set in their ways	Poor	Unproductive
Talk to themselves	Never fully recover from illness	Meddlesome	Hopeless	Not optimistic
Grouchy	Walk slowly	Old-fashioned	Unhappy	Physically inactive
Intolerant/impatient	Wrinkled	Think about the good old days	Lonely	Active outside home
Rigid	Talks slowly	Gives good advice	Insecure	Has lots of friends
Critical	Hard of hearing	Interesting to meet Good companion Likeable Interesting Experienced	Complains  a lot	Has hobbies

 i Whitney,B.E.& Kite M.E. (2006). The Psychology of Prejudice and

Descrimination, Thomson, Wadsworth, For more go to

www.wadsworth.com