FRHD 1010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Ageism, Stereotype Threat, Circadian Rhythm

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Family Relations and Human Development
• Course: FRHD 1010
• Professor: Susan Chuang

Document Summary

Ageism is a prejudice whereby people are categorized and judged solely on the basis of their chronological age. Ageism is not recognized as readily as racism or sexism. The effects of ageism affect the older persons" feelings of competence and may foster anxiety, morbidity and sometimes, mortality. Study: elders exposed to negative stereotypes of old people had shakier handwriting than those shown positive stereotypes who had confident writing. With racism or sexism, parents often teach their children to recognize signs, however when children believe in an ageist idea, few people ever teach them otherwise. A reason that people accept ageism is that it often seems complimentary ("young lady") or solicitous. * ageism shortens life and makes the final years less satisfying. In this example, old people reject their own ageist stereotype of 80-year-olds even though they feel the same way most. If the elderly feel that they are losing their minds, the fear itself may undermine cognitive competence.