Search results for ""Author Todd D. Nelson""

Humans automatically categorize others in social perception. Some categorizations ­ race, gender, and age -- are so automatic that they are termed "primitive categories." As we categorize, we develop stereotypes about the categories. Researchers know much about racism and sexism, but comparatively little about prejudice based on age. The papers in this issue highlight the current empirical and theoretical work on understanding the origins and consequences of stereotyping and prejudice against older adults. With the aging baby boomer demographic, it is especially timely for researchers to work to understand how society can shed its institutionalized ageism and promote respect for elders.

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The worldwide population of adults ages 60 and over has rapidly become the fastest growing age group, making the study of ageism a pressing social issue. Collectively, contributors to this issue draw on strong theoretical traditions and sophisticated multi-methods (cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental) to offer empirical evidence toward a greater understanding of the role of ageism in health and employment contexts. This special issue sets the stage for the next wave of international research on ageism across the lifecycle and for making greater progress on designing and implementing effective interventions and public policies supporting older adults and positive intergenerational relations.

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