Young Adults' Stereotypes of Older Adults with Their Grandparents as the Targets

Abstract

Young adults' stereotypes of older adults have been well established in the literature, but the target of these stereotypes usually is an unknown older individual. Intergenerational interaction, however, is more common between people who are known to each other. Specifically, the older individuals with whom young adults most frequently interact are their grandparents. This study examines the role that closeness plays in mediating young adults' (n = 220) stereotypes of older adults. Consistently, young adults rate their closest grandparent more positively on exhibiting stereotypic behaviors and communicative ability than they do their least close grandparent. Although the grandparent's age does not influence the level of reported closeness, the level of closeness does influence perceptions of the older individual's behavior and abilities. Although closeness does mediate young adults' stereotypes of older adults, it does not preclude them from providing negative evaluations of some older individuals who are well-known to them.

Children's Attitudes Toward Older Adults and Aging: A Synthesis of Research

“…Studies have also used grandparents as a means for assessing stereotypes (Pecchioni & Croghan, 2002) and relationships (Baranowski, 1982). asked young participants to write a poem and used the phrase ''like your grandparents'' to prompt the children.…”

“…Attitudes toward older adults are complex as they often embody both positive and negative assumptions (Pecchioni & Croghan, 2002). Seefeldt et al (1977b) state that identifying attitudes is the initial step in planning activities that address attitudes toward older adults.…”

The Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship: Implications for Models of Intergenerational Communication

“…Such work tends to fi nd more positive evaluations of intergenerational relations within the family. Pecchioni and Croghan (2002) found more positive stereotypes of grandparents, concluding that closer grandparent relationships are associated with more positive stereotyping than less close grandparent relationships. They contended that this may indicate that closer GP-GC relationships may facilitate a shift from stereotyping as an intergroup function to judgments based on an interindividual level.…”

Will teenagers today live with and care for their aged parents tomorrow?

“…Similarly, relationship closeness influenced their perceptions of the older individual. 13 This could be explained by the sociopsychological behavior model whereby children observe and learn from the interaction of their parents with grandparents, which subsequently shape their future attitudes. 14 Also, the strength of the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren was shown to influence the beliefs and value systems of the younger generation.…”