Investigating predictors of ageism : supportive relationship with older adult wanted

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of priming participants with either negative or positive images of older adults and the impressions they form of a neutral image of an older adult after subsequent priming. Participants were first primed with 25 positive, 25 negative, or no images of older adults, then they were asked to write a short story about "a day in the life of' a neutral woman and to complete several surveys including the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA), Marlowe Crowne, and the NEO-FF inventory. The primary dependent variable was participants' short stories; which were analyzed for linguistic indicators of prejudice toward older adults. Additionally, the data were analyzed to unveil variables that predict ageism.

Although priming did not have a significant effect, participants without perceived social support of a grandparent or older adult scored relatively higher on the FSA. Ageism was also predicted by the terminology used in the narrative written to describe the older adult female in the image. Ageism, like other forms of prejudice, develops over a lifetime and cannot be expected to be elicited or eradicated in a few hours. The results of this study suggest perceived level of support from an older adult is more important to reducing ageism than exposure to positive images of older adults.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2009

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Whitten, Shannon N.

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Degree Program

Psychology

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences;Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0022346

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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