This paper analyzes 12 contemporary textbooks in family sociology for their portrayal of older families and older family members. Recommendations are made with regard to both the content and the context of materials on aging families in sociology textbooks. (Author)

Briefly reviews the gerontological literature on attitudes toward the elderly. Criticizing word association measurement techniques, this article identifies alternative methods for assessing attitudes toward the elderly and considers the pedagogical effects of these methods. (JDH)

A correlational study was done on the effect of acquiescence response set upon Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People (OP) scale. Couch and Keniston's Agreement Response (AR) scale was used as the measure of acquiescence tendency. Both scales were administered to 61 second year medical students and 44 individuals who were undergoing training in…

Many people hold negative attitudes toward older adults, and these attitudes often are associated with negative behavior toward the old. To explore the behavioral correlates of attitudes toward the elderly, 105 male and female college students, with a mean age of 24.5 years, participated in a two-phase experiment. During phase one, all subjects…

Studied the perceptions, expectations, and attitudes toward aging among students of religion and their graduate counterparts by means of structured interviews. Results revealed students had more positive attitudes toward young than old people, relatively low gerontological knowledge, and negative biases toward the aged. (RC)

A college level unit which investigates stereotypes of aging in the United States is described. The three-class unit serves as an introduction to the study of social gerontology. Its purpose is to address issues of negative stereotypes of old age reinforced by the media and by our cultural roots; the lack of knowledge about the normal changes that…

Offers some aims for education at the university level for older adults with a view of knowledge and practice in the field. Research findings from life-span developmental studies on the cognitive, personality, and motivational characteristics of older people are discussed along with suggestions for planning academic programs. (Author/JAC)

Attitudes toward aging among 142 full-time students and 216 graduates at three urban campuses of a religious college were assessed. Respondent subgroups included rabbis, educators, cantors, and communal service workers. Social attitudes were measured by the Aging Semantic Differential (Rosencranz and McNevin, 1969). Respondents rated 32 dimensions…

New perspectives need to be gained on the roles of older adults and older workers in the new millenium. Because today's adult is healthier, policies concerning social security, retirement, and work need to be changed. There is a need for acceptance of various types of aging. Rather than mandating specific retirement, the individual should have…

This document presents the minutes of a field hearing before the Budget Committee of the United States House of Representatives generally regarding the aspirations and financial needs of American college students in 1996. Students from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and North Carolina addressed the Committee. The discussion focuses on…