Title: Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults
Headings: Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults
Journal of Geriatrics
Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. How Stereotypes Work to Affect Health
3. Effects of Negative Stereotypes
3.1. Stereotype Activation and Longitudinal Studies
3.1.1. Implicit Priming of Stereotypes of Aging (and Stereotype Embodiment/Internalization)
3.1.2. Explicit Priming of Stereotypes of Aging (and Stereotype Threat)
3.2. Downward Social Comparison (and Resilience Theory)
3.3. Emerging Qualitative Research Findings
4. Effects of Positive Stereotypes
4.1. Implicit Priming of Positive Stereotypes of Aging (and Internalization)
4.2. Explicit Priming of Positive Stereotypes of Aging (and Stereotype Boost)
4.3. Upward Social Comparison and Role Models
5. Limitations of Stereotype Research in Aging Contexts
6. Summary and Conclusion
Conflict of Interests
References
Copyright

Content: Introduction
Aging is a highly individualized and complex process; yet it continues to be stereotyped, especially in Western cultures. Stereotypes about a particular group play a powerful role in shaping how we think about and interact with individuals, as well as how individuals within the stereotyped group see themselves [ 1
S. Horton, J. Baker, and J. M. Deakin, “Stereotypes of aging: their effects on the health of seniors in North American society,” Educational Gerontology, vol. 33, no. 12, pp. 1021–1035, 2007. View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
See in References
]. Stereotypes are unchallenged myths or overstated beliefs associated with a category which are widespread and entrenched in verbal, written, and visual contexts within society [ 2
G. W. Allport, The Nature of Prejudice, Addison-Wesley, Garden City, NY, USA, 1958.