Evaluation of Infantilizing Intonation and Content of Speech Directed at the Aged

Abstract

Infantilization was investigated in a sample of thirty-five elderly adults, both community residents (N = 18) and residents of institutions (N = 17). Respondents were presented with materials designed to elicit ratings of adult and infantilized speech content and intonation on the dimensions of “likeability,” “equality of treatment,” and “degree of respect.” Community and institutionalized elders rated adult speech in an equivalent fashion. However, community residents were more negative in their ratings of infantilizing speech content and intonation compared to their ratings of adult speech than were institutionalized elders. The negative regard that community elders had for infantilizing speech was particularly pronounced for intonation. Furthermore, community elders appeared particularly resentful of infantilizing speech intonation on the dimension of respect. There was no evidence to support the contention that infantilizing speech is high in nurturance. Adding to the findings of Ryan and co-workers, it appeared important to differentiate between infantilizing content and intonation, as the infantilizing intonation produced a more pronounced negative reaction than did infantilizing content among community elders.