A review of literature by Kent psychologists has revealed the conflicting representations of ageing and older people in a range of contexts. The research suggests that while some representations and stereotypes are positive, negative stereotypes dominate and are more frequent.
In a report commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better, Dr Hannah J Swift and Ben Steeden of Kent’s School of Psychology reviewed that negative stereotypes are widespread in the workplace, in health and social care and in the media. Older workers are cited as being seen as having lower levels of performance, less ability to learn, and being more costly than younger workers.
A free interactive webinar hosted by the Centre for Ageing Better on Monday 23 March 2020 will examine these key findings in detail. Dr Swift and Emma Twyning, the Centre for Ageing Better’s Head of Communications, will discuss the role and impact of language and stereotypes in framing old age and ageing in the UK. Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to share their views and experiences as part of the live conversation.
Dr Swift said: ‘Our review of evidence reveals the conflicting representations of age and older adults in the UK, across a number of important societal contexts. It recognises that some stereotypes of ageing have a ‘kernel of truth’ and reflect age-related changes, but highlights the danger of stereotypes to over exaggerate age differences, and dismiss the huge variation between people of the same age.’
‘Doddery but dear? A webinar examining age-related stereotypes’ will take place Monday 23 March 2020, from 15:00 – 15:45. Sign up for the webinar here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VEvuNcPjQnOzs5zlm2ZF5Q
The literature review by Dr Hannah J Swift and Ben Steeden, titled ‘Exploring representations of old age and ageing’ is available here: https://www.ageing-better.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/Exploring-representations-of-old-age.pdf
The full report by the Centre for Ageing Better, is available here: https://www.ageing-better.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/Doddery-but-dear.pdf