ERIC Number: EJ934249
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0091-4150
EISSN: N/A
Not Quite Color Blind: Ethnic and Gender Differences in Attitudes toward Older People among College Students
Laditka, Sarah B.; Laditka, James N.; Houck, Margaret M.; Olatosi, Bankole A.
International Journal of Aging and Human Development, v73 n1 p53-71 2011
Attitudes toward older people can influence how they are treated and their cognitive and physical health. The populations of the United States and many other countries have become more ethnically diverse, and are aging. Yet little research examines how ethnic diversity affects attitudes toward older people. Our study addresses this research gap. Using the Aging Semantic Differential, 592 university students expressed their attitudes toward older African-American, Hispanic, and White women and men. Repeated measures analysis of variance examined attitude differences by participant ethnicity and gender, and by the ethnicity and gender of evaluated individuals. Both African-American and White students had more positive attitudes toward older women and men of their own ethnic group. Participants had more positive attitudes toward older women than they did toward older men. Findings suggest in-group favoritism, and the usefulness of training those in service industries and public service to treat older individuals equitably. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Age Discrimination, Student Attitudes, Semantic Differential, Stereotypes, Social Theories, Gender Differences, Ethnicity, Physical Health, White Students, African American Students, Public Service, Service Occupations, Justice
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Aging Semantic Differential
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A