Ageism
-The Hidden Prejudice-
Ill and Frail
Dependant
poor cognitive ability
Not adaptable
Child-like
Burden on resources
-What Reinforces Ageism?-
Cultural emphasis on speed,
mobility and change in the
working world causes people to
believe that the elderly do not
have a place in the workforce. Positive associations with youth and
negative associations with growing
old, popularised through advertising
and products to hide the signs of
ageing. Young adults may speak to the
elderly using "baby talk" and
overaccommodation
(excessive
politeness, louder and slower
speech, exaggerated intonation).
"The elderly are not competitive in
the workforce - they are a burden
on resources." "Everyone knows the elderly are frail and
slow - it's not a stereotype." "The elderly are so sweet and
vulnerable - they are dependant on
our care."
-What are the Implications?-
Employment Medical treatment
Difficulty finding a job even when
they retain high cognitive
capability. Health professionals may assume
that the elderly are stubborn and
unable to change their behaviour,
resulting in real mental health
problems going unrecognised.
WEll-being Longevity
A study found that older adults
exposed to positive stereotypes
have significantly better memory
and balance whereas those with
negative self-perceptions had
worse memory and feelings of
w o r t h l e s s n e s s (Levy,
Slade,
Kunkel & Kasl, 2002). A study on 660 people found that
those with more positive self-
perceptions of ageing lived 7.5
years longer than those with
negative self-perceptions of ageing
(Levy, Slade, Kunkel & Kasl,
2002).
Created by: MSF Office of the Director of Social Welfare | 2017
Adapted from:
Addler, T. (2013). Ageism: Alive and Kicking. Retrieved from http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/ageism-
alive-and-kicking#.WKJ-GbZ97LY
Dittmann,
M.
(2003).
Fighting
Ageism.
Retrieved
from
http://www.apa.org/monitor/may03/fighting.aspx
Levy B.R., Slade M. D., Kunkel S.R. & Kasl S.V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12150226.
Nelson, T. D. (2011). Ageism: The Strange Case of Prejudice Against the Older You.
Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-6293-5_2.