CALLING OUT AGEISM: HOW INTERSECTING IDENTITIES AND CONFRONTATION TONE AFFECT PERCEPTIONS OF OLDER CONFRONTERS
2024

How Ageism Confrontation Affects Perceptions of Older Adults

Sample size: 500 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Gans Hannah, Chasteen Alison, Horhota Michelle

Primary Institution: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hypothesis

How do older people's intersecting identities and confrontation tone influence reactions to their countering ageism?

Conclusion

Older adult confronters' intersecting identities influence how they are perceived when they challenge ageist comments.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older Black confronters were rated as warmer with a moderate confrontation tone compared to a strong tone.
  • Older adult participants rated White confronters lower on warmth and competence after confronting compared to Black confronters.
  • Younger and older participants differed in their perceptions of confronters.

Takeaway

When older people stand up against ageism, how others see them can change based on their race and how they speak up.

Methodology

Survey of young and older adults regarding their perceptions of warmth and competence towards older adult confronters.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 500 young and older adults of varying races and genders.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0016

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