Week 7-Images of Ageing

Question 1

What are general perceptions of Ageing?

Answer 1

On the whole, ageing is a positive experience for the majority of people in
Britain

◦ A large proportion of older adults would not think of themselves as old, and wouldn’t define themselves as having aged ‘successfully’ or ‘well’

Yet, common conceptions of later life tend to be more negative than positive

◦ Older age typecast as an inevitable decline in physical and mental capacities and a period of dependency

In many Western cultures, ‘ageing well’ relates to continued independence and
active contributions.
◦ Dependency, or not (being seen as) ageing well, is often a source of stigma

Question 2

What boundaries do you apply to the category ‘old-age’? (Abrams et al., 2011)

Answer 2

2008/9 European Social Survey

◦ Over 50,000 respondents estimated the age at which people stop being ‘young’ and start being ‘old’

◦ On average, people perceived that youth ended at 35 years and old age begins at 59 (so what happens inbetween this?)

This is a form of age categorisation- the classifying of others into age groups

◦ A necessary precursor to people’s application of age stereotypes

◦ Social age - how you are treated and categorised by society

Question 3

What are the common images of older adults?

Answer 3

Images range from the incompetent fool to the compassionate and wise (e.g. Cuddy
& Fiske, 2002)

◦ Mixed perceptions – high warmth but low competence

Older adults identified as ‘shrew-curmudgeon,’ ‘despondent,’ and ‘severely
impaired’ in trait sorting studies (e.g. Ryan
et al., 2004)

Positive perceptions of older people as wise, experienced and more moral than
younger adults (e.g. Cuddy & Fiske, 2002) (just like negative depictions however, positive stereotypes can be discriminative too).

Question 4

Define Ageism (WHO World Report on Ageing and Health)

Answer 4

“Stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of
their (chronological) age; ageism can take many forms, including prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory practices, or institutional policies and practices that perpetuate stereotypical beliefs”

Question 5

What is the prevalence of Ageism in the UK?

Answer 5

Around one quarter of older people in the UK report experiencing age discrimination on the basis of their chronological age or on the basis of a perception of them as being ‘old’ (e.g. Iversen et al., 2009; Jackson et al., 2019)

◦Most commonly experienced form of prejudice in Britain (Abrams et al., 2009)

Has received limited attention in research and policy making, relative to racism and
sexism (e.g. Cuddy et al., 2005)

Question 6

What are aspects of Ageism? (e.g. Ayalon, 2014)

Answer 6

◦ Stems from the perception that a person might be too old (or too young) to be or to do something

◦ Associated with underlying (often negative) conceptions of the old (and the young)

◦ Highly prevalent, often socially accepted form of discrimination and usually goes unchallenged (compared to racism and sexism)

◦ Children as young as 4 years are aware of their cultures’ age stereotypes (Gilbert & Rickets, 2008; Levy, 2009)

◦ Younger adults have higher levels of ageism than older adults (Rupp et al., 2005) (hence why intergenerational relationships are key as it can draw similarities between the two generations)

Question 7

What are endorsements of negative attitudes toward ageing and older adults?

Answer 7

◦ Has been the original focus of research (lots of articles available)

◦ As discomfort, anxiety, or fear of aging

◦ Devaluing older adults, with common
characterisations of older adults as
burdensome, forgetful, ill, frail, incompetent, worthless, unattractive

Question 8

What are endorsements of positive views of ageing and older adults?

Answer 8

◦ Less research attention (e.g. Kite et al.,
2005)

◦ Older adults as calm, cheerful, helpful,
intelligent, kindly, neat, and stable, more
reliable and careful workers, engaging in
less criminal activity, participating more in
voluntary organisations

◦ Unique age-based treatment – pensions,
discounts, tax exemptions (e.g., at what point can one retire?)

• These positive stereotypes can become barriers to healthcare (e.g., if they’re happy and wise even if deteriorating, then why bother helping?)

Question 9

What’s the impact of an emphasis on negative views of ageing and under
emphasis on the study of more positive views of ageing?

Answer 9

-Allows us to recognise the pervasiveness of negative views

BUT Results in an insufficient understanding of the rage of views on ageing:
◦ Including the psychological, social and political consequences

◦ How to improve the lives of older adults and support intergenerational relationships

Question 10

What are personal sources of ageism?

Answer 10

• Language and stereotypes
• Excluding, ignoring older person

Question 11

What are intentional sources of ageism?

Answer 11

• Marketing and media that use stereotypes of older workers (greetings cards)
• Denial of job training due to age

Question 12

What are institutional sources of ageism?

Answer 12

• Practices and policies e.g. Mandatory retirement
• Absence of older people in certain contexts

Question 13

What are unintentional sources of ageism?

Answer 13

*Environmental challenges, housing

*Language used in the media

Question 14

What Ageist depictions tend to be the norm?

Answer 14

Our media (films, TV, print, music, etc) reinforce negative representations of age and ageing

◦ Predominately negative discourses of age and ageing within lyrics of popular music (Kelly et al., 2016)

Every day language (‘decrepit’, ‘senile’, ‘young at heart’) is quite harmful

◦ Negative stereotyping on Facebook–criticised, pitied, infantilised (Levy et al., 2014)
“Facebook does not tolerate hate speech. Please grant each other mutual respect
when you communicate here. While we encourage the discussion of ideas,
institutions, events and practices, it is a serious violation of our terms to single out
individuals based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual
orientation, disability or disease.” (Facebook, 2012, cited in Levy et al., 2014)

A cultural construct: Western emphasis on youth, and productivity – cultural differences?

Question 15

What is ‘Othering’ language like towards ageism?

Answer 15

*Statement by Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, Jenny Harries (October, 2020).

“We know THOSE who are clinically extremely vulnerable are looking for practical advice on how they can carry on their lives while the virus remains in OUR communities”

“I would advise all THOSE affected to follow the guidance…”

“We will continue to monitor the evidence closely and fine-tune this approach to make
sure everyone in THIS GROUP is clear about the safest way to go about their daily lives…”

Question 16

What are Media depictions of dementia?

Answer 16

• According to the Alzheimer’s Society, the ‘Long Goodbye’ depicts the sense of anticipatory grief that is commonly associated with dementia and highlights just how devastating it can be
• Alzheimer’s Scotland’s advert highlights dementia care and the importance of connection and social activity
• The ‘Long Goodbye’ advert provoked a lot of reactions from people affected by dementia and the national media
• Critics argued the “die, die and die again” message is at odds with the Alzheimer’s society’s own values of challenging stigma, increasing awareness, encouraging diagnosis and offering help and hope
• Innovations in Dementia: “ You cannot achieve outcomes for one of your constituents by ‘othering’ your other, dismantling their identity and ignoring their rights…death is so final, loss and dying are not”.

Question 17

What’s the impact of a dominant ageist model that views old age as negative?

Answer 17

An individual’s perceptions of ageing = product of a dynamic process related to self, social norms, and their interplay (e.g.
Steverink et al., 2001)

Ageing stereotypes influence people’s conceptions of their own ageing and old age (e.g. Levy, 2003; Westerhof & Barrett, 2005)

◦ Ageing is often said to incur invisibility (Clarke & Griffin, 2008)

Question 18

What is the Stereotype embodiment theory (Levy, 2009)?

Answer 18

Internalisation of society’s images of ageing and attitudes towards older adults over the lifespan

Influences their own expectations of ageing
◦ May feel fear and shame about getting older
◦ “a deep seated uneasiness on the part of the young and middle-aged- a personal revulsion to and distaste for growing old, disease, disability, and fear of powerlessness, ‘uselessness’ and death” (Butler, 1969, p243)

◦ Generate self-relevant expectations that act as self-fulfilling prophecies

Question 19

Are ageist attitudes self-fulfilling? (Pikhartova, Bowling & Victor, 2016)

Answer 19

*Stereotype: I feel that old age is a time of loneliness.

*Expectation: I expect to be lonely in old age.

What did they find?
-Loneliness stereotypes and expectation significantly associated with self-reported loneliness 8 years later.

-Independent of socio-demographic changes.

Question 20

How does Ageism interfere with healthy ageing? Consequences for physical, cognitive and psychological health

Answer 20

◦ Evidence of impact on emotional distress, self-efficacy, self-concept and self- perceptions of ageing, memory, performance, physical health, even longevity (e.g. Hess et al., 2003; Levy et al., 2002; Lyons et al., 2018)

◦ Associated with more dependent behaviour, higher feelings of loneliness, and
more frequent help-seeking behaviour (Coudin & Alexopoulos, 2010)

◦ Influenced walking performance, as a measure of functional independence
(Hausdorff et al., 1999)

◦ Slowed recovery from disability (Levy et al., 2012)

Question 21

What’s the link between Ageism and sexual activity?

Answer 21

Interesting work around ageism and sexual activity and interest (e.g. Heywood et al., 2019; Schick et al., 2010; Weeks, 2010)

A number of stereotypes and attitudes exist in relation to sexuality in older age

◦ Popular culture often depicts the older body as asexual, undesirable or sexually
impotent (e.g. Wada et al., 2015)

◦ Stereotypes don’t reflect the diversity of sexual experiences that are often reported
in older populations (Heywood et al., 2019)
Impact?

◦ Exclusion. For example, older people frequently ignored in Western sexual health
campaigns (Gott & Hinchcliff, 2003)

◦ Health professionals can be reluctant to discuss sexuality and sexual health with
older adults (e.g. Hinchliff and Gott, 2011)

Question 22

What’s the link between Ageism and Workplace?

Answer 22

-Important consideration given discussions about working age, and increase in
proportion of ‘older’ workers.

-Age bias influences employers’ perceptions (e.g., Harris et al., 2018)

Negative consequences for older workers
themselves (e.g. Abrams et al., 2016)
◦ Face barriers accessing many occupations
◦ Fewer opportunities for training
◦ Lower self-efficacy, decreased performance, cardiovascular stress (e.g. Levy, 2000)

Question 23

What’s the link between Ageism and Workplace? (Harris et al., 2018)

Answer 23

-Reviewed research addressing ageism and
implications for employment experiences and opportunities for older workers.

-Mainly cross-sectional survey studies. Different types of study participants.

Thematic analysis revealed 4 primary
themes:
1. Older worker experience and negotiation of ageism
2. Reported behaviour
3. Behavioural intentions
4. Stereotypes and perceptions of older workers

-Evidence of ageist stereotypes about older
workers

Question 24

What’s the link between Ageism and Medical Care?

Answer 24

Age-differentiated treatment across various
contexts, including medical care

o e.g. Inequality in health and social care–
often addressed with less patience, engagement, and respect compared to
younger patients (Age UK, 2013; Pasupathi & Lockenhoff, 2002)

o ‘Baby talk’ or elderspeak – overly familiar
talk, shouting, non-listening, dismissive,
condescension (Batson, 2003; Hummert & Mazloff, 2001)

o Identification of some medical problems as ‘natural part of ageing’ (e.g., dementia which is not a normal part of ageing), or ignored as reflecting the stereotype that older adults complain more as they age

Question 25

Invisibility- Is there gendered ageism?

Answer 25

Visible ageing – a focus on youthfulness (e.g. Ballard et al., 2005) Intersection of gender and age - gendered ageism.

• Olden women tend to be less visible than men
• ‘Grey’ men often considered distinguished, experienced, wise
• Challenge of negotiating social norms of appearance - idea of ageing ‘appropriately’ , ‘gracefully’ (just women?) (Jankowski et al., 2014)

‘Beauty work’ among older women (e.g. Clarke & Griffin, 2008; Heinrichsmeier, 2018)

Question 26

How do negative representations of ageing affect the experience of ageing for different groups? By gender?

Answer 26

Henneberg (2010) found that, in children’s
literature, older woman were depicted invariably without power or agency, and diminished on a number of dimensions.
Wasn’t true of older men.

Question 27

How do negative representations of ageing affect the experience of ageing for different groups? By sexual orientation?

Answer 27

Lytle et al. (2018) found older sexual minority individuals reported heightened
general aging concerns compared to their
heterosexual peers. Specific challenges (see also McParland & Camic, 2016)

Question 28

How do negative representations of ageing affect the experience of ageing for different groups? By culture?

Answer 28

Asian cultures traditionally revere and greatly respect elderly persons (e.g. Levy &
Langer, 1994)

But, is that changing? Luo et al. (2013) found
Chinese students held more negative views than American counterparts.

Question 29

What was Ageism during COVID-19? (Scharf, 2020)

Answer 29

*As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, older people – a population group judged to be at heightened risk of infection and premature death – have become a major focus for policy makers, media commentators and community action.

*However, responses to the crisis have also been characterised by ageism and a reinforcement of negative representations of ageing and later life.

*What are the key consequences of society’s response to COVID-19 for older
people?

*Ageism as a public mental health concern (Kessler & Bowen, 2020)

Question 30

How does Ageism influence the way problems are framed?

Answer 30

-It can influence development of ageing policy and practice

Sociocultural change and medical advances now support a more active and independent later life for many

◦ So, a new conceptualisation of older age is needed

Question 31

Why must we challenge ageism? (helppage)

Answer 31

Ageism is all around us.

All older people are different, but ageism assumes that growing older is the same experience for everyone.

We must question ageism and how older people are often stereotyped in a certain way because of their age.

We live in a world where older people’s rights are denied. This must change!

Let’s begin to appreciate our diversity throughout our whole lives, including
in later life.

Question 32

What was one of they key things the WHO said was needed in their healthy ageing infographic

Answer 32

A change in the way we think about ageing and older people.

Question 33

How can we tackle societal age (Minichiello et al., 2000)?

Answer 33

◦ Some older adults in the study actively worked to challenge societal images of
older adults and ageist stereotypes

◦ Overcoming it in their own lives / minimising it’s impact by adopting strategies

-e.g,. Maintain intellectual challenges and stimulation, remaining physically fit and eating a healthy diet, engaging in preventive health screening, acting and thinking ‘ young’, maintaining supportive networks, having a sense of belonging, undertaking activities they enjoy and being flexible about participating in activities

◦ Negotiating new images of ageing and educating others

Question 34

What predicts more positive views?

Answer 34

In research with students (e.g. Allan & Johnson, 2008; Eshbaugh et al., 2010; Lun, 2010):
* better knowledge
* lower levels of anxiety related to ageing and death
* more informal contact with and presence of quality relationships with older
adults

… predict more positive attitudes and self-reported likelihood of working with older adults in a future career

Other studies show positive change in (student) attitudes and stereotypes of
older adults through knowledge and discussion (e.g. Wurtele & Maruyama, 2013)

Question 35

What is the link between Ageism and intergenerational contact?

Answer 35

Ageism has the potential to divide people - ‘them’ and ‘us’
◦ e.g. “Older adults as a burden” Yet, positive intergenerational contact may reduce ageism (e.g. Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006)

◦ Age UK advocate for intergenerational contact programmes in which younger and older people interact, with the aim of fostering improved attitudes reducing ageism

◦ But under which conditions is contact beneficial? Direct vs indirect; frequency or quality?; when combined with other types of prejudice e.g. sexism, …

Question 36

What does ‘old’ look like in Hollywood?

Answer 36

-Historically frames ageing as decline – perpetuates stereotypes

BUT

Perceptions in ‘real life’ are changing – time of opportunity, of growth and so, slowly, movie and TV industry is changing its
attitude

Question 37

How can we move towards more positive images of ageing?

Answer 37

-For its 100th birthday, British Vogue
featured centenarian, Marjorie ‘Bo’
Gilbert, for a Harvey Nicholls ad campaign

“We’re really proud to be involved
in a project which proves the older generation can be fearlessly stylish too. Ageism is so last century,” Ben Tollett, executive creative director at Harvey Nichols’ ad agency

Question 38

How can we respond to ageism?

Answer 38

oChanging people’s understanding, social behaviours and political determination around age and ageing is essential to foster healthy ageing, the ability for all people to live long and healthy lives and do what they have reason to value (important to do this from an early age as we know there is already an immediate effect from childhood)

How can we work to achieve this?
o Tackle individual and societal attitudes, age-related stereotypes and behaviours towards people, laws, policies that perpetuate or fail to challenge ageism

o Ageism may be reduced by emphasising diversity among older people

o Also by paying attention to compensations for reduced abilities

o And developing public policy based on need rather than on age

Question 39

What are the 6 fundamental questions to tackling societal ageing? (WHO)

Answer 39

1. what is the global prevalence of ageism?
2. what are the causes or determinants of
   ageism?
3. what are the consequences of ageism at an individual and at a societal level?
4. what strategies exist to effectively tackle
   ageism?
5. what are the available metrics to measure the different dimensions of ageism and its implicit and explicit expressions?
6. what are the most effective ways of building public understanding and expanding thinking about age and ageing?

Question 40

How do people view older adults? (Wurtele, 2009)

Answer 40

-Students asked to generate items to be included in a hypothetical survey to be administered to people age 65+

Findings: A fairly passive and negative view of life after 65
-Top 5 hobbies: socialising, exercising, watching television, sleeping, reading
-Characterisation of later adulthood as void of productive activities and absence of learning
-Views in line with those of disengagement theory (Cummings & Henry, 1961)
-Wurtele argues exercise helps people reflect on biased views, connects students to the topic of ageism, and encourages them to challenge negative perceptions