Attitudes of 56 adults toward a person 25 to 35 yr. old and toward a person 70 to 78 yr. old were studied. Italian immigrants, Polish immigrants, Scottish immigrants, and native-born Americans rated 21 questions. Data were subjected to a 2 × 4 analysis of variance with age as a repeated measure. The Italian and Polish groups viewed the older person as being active, happy, and leading a full life. The Scottish and native-born American groups viewed the older person as more inactive but not necessarily unhappy. The native-born American group did not indicate a strong negative attitude toward the aged as had been predicted.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BennettR.EckmanJ.Attitudes toward aging: A critical examination of recent literature and implications for future research. In EisdorferC.LawtonM. P. (Eds.), The psychology of adult development and aging. Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Assn, 1973. Pp. 575–597.
2.
CummingsE.HenryW.Growing old. New York: Basic Books, 1961.
3.
KastenbaumR.Research planning and action for the elderly. New York: Behavioral Publ., 1973.
4.
NeugartenB.Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be. Psychology Today, 1791, 5(7), 45–48.
