Psychological Bulletin· 2012Q1· Review
An inconvenienced youth? Ageism and its potential intergenerational roots.
- 549citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2012year
Short summary
This review highlights ageism as an understudied prejudice, proposing that a growing older population and societal adaptations may fuel intergenerational tensions, particularly among younger demographics.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Ageism is an understudied social prejudice despite its universal relevance.
- A growing older population and societal adaptations may increase intergenerational tensions.
- Younger generations may be particularly affected by these emerging intergenerational dynamics.
- Existing research presents both optimistic and pessimistic outlooks on future intergenerational relations.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Age is the only social category identifying subgroups that everyone may eventually join. Despite this and despite the well-known growth of the older population, age-based prejudice remains an understudied topic in social psychology. This article systematically reviews the literature on ageism, highlighting extant research on its consequences and theoretical perspectives on its causes. We then identify a crucial gap in the literature, potential intergenerational tensions, speculating how a growing-older population-and society's efforts to accommodate it-might stoke intergenerational fires, particularly among the younger generation. Presenting both sides of this incipient issue, we review relevant empirical work that introduces reasons for both optimism and pessimism concerning intergenerational relations within an aging society. We conclude by suggesting future avenues for ageism research, emphasizing the importance of understanding forthcoming intergenerational dynamics for the benefit of the field and broader society.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Psychological Bulletin, 2012 · DOI ↗
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Field: Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Neuropsychology and Physiological PsychologyPsychology