Argues that myths about aging involve ageist stereotypes and misconceptions. Discusses cognitive science insights about why and how stereotypes are created. Urges gerontology practitioners to combat stigmatized labeling, conduct multidisciplinary research, and develop a critical gerontology perspective. (Contains 23 references.) (SK)

College students (n=200) expressed their preferences for the ages of 13 service providers such as doctors, pilots, and mechanics. The mean age preferred was below 40. Except for barbers/beauticians, no gender differences were found. However, scores on the Fraboni Scale of Ageism showed that male students had more ageist attitudes. (SK)

A newspaper reporter addresses issues of media coverage of aging, suggesting that ageism is not as widely reported as other forms of discrimination and few reporters are assigned to this topic. (SK)

This study explores the research question: Does the promotion system in Taiwan reward faculty research productivity? By conducting event history analyses, I have demonstrated that the simple answer to the question is "yes." After controlling for the effects of demography, education, institutions and seniority, the discrete-time logit…

This report of a congressional hearing focuses on the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which permits forced retirement of American workers solely on the basis of age, that is, mandatory retirement at age 70. Testimony includes statements and prepared statements from a United States Representative, individuals who have been forced to…

Drawing from recent research, this paper attempts to refute some of the commonly held assumptions about the inevitable decline of intellect as part of the aging process and point to ways educators can expand educational opportunities for older adults. After exploring some of the myths and stereotypes about senile, disoriented, helpless, rigid,…

Society has stereotyped the elderly as those who are unable, dependent, institutionalized, and handicapped in various other ways. Stereotyping older people in this manner allows them to be cast aside in the market as well. The marketing community should concentrate more on this thriving aggregate, for they have disposable income--some for the…

Ageism (unfair stereotyping of older adults), deeply embedded in the culture of 20th-century America, is reinforced by television and newspapers. The media depict old people as rigid, meddlesome, sexless, conservative, unhealthy, and forgetful. Most pernicious of all old age stereotypes is that of second childhood. Popular culture portrays…

Whether or not the aged should be served separately from other age groups is examined. There are two major arguments for age-integrated services: (1) they discourage ageism; and (2) they are more efficient. However, there is hardly any evidence that feelings against the elderly have been reduced because of the existence of age-neutral programs. In…

This paper presents a new form of evidence supporting the hypothesis that job opportunities decline with age. Segregation curves reveal that newly hired old workers tend to be clustered in a smaller set of industries and occupations than both newly hired young workers and all old workers. (JOW)

Analyses of college admissions aptitude test scores of 795 applicants for admission to major Northern Israeli university were undertaken to test for age bias in the predictive validity of scholastic aptitude test scores. Subjects were put into four age groups ranging from 18 to 49 years. Results support the differential predictive validity of…

Psychiatrists have been reported to demonstrate a variety of negative attitudes toward older patients. This study suggests that certain personal characteristics of psychiatrists are associated with more pronounced negative attitudes. These characteristics include female gender, psychoanalytic theoretical orientation, and certification by the…

Discusses court cases (N=53) to determine the standards set by the courts for establishing a claim of age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended. Examines the legal implications of this information for employers and professionals, as well as the implications on future age-related research. (LLL)

Discusses the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the interpretations of it by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (JOW)

Argues that although many publications imply that a negative attitude toward older people is common, evidence does not support this judgment. Reports a study in which participants were allowed to give their opinions on the number of exceptions to generalizations about the elderly. Suggests possible motives for misinterpreting evidence. (Author)