Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relations between views on ageing and perceived age discrimination: a domain-specific perspective

  • Original Investigation
  • Published:
European Journal of Ageing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigates the relation between age stereotypes and perceived age discrimination. Existing evidence for such a relation is notoriously ambiguous with regard to its direction—age stereotypes can predict (perceived) discrimination, but experiencing discrimination may also change views on ageing—which is why we used a dataset with two waves to disentangle the direction of the associations. Considering research on the multi-dimensionality of views on ageing and perceived age discrimination, we addressed this question from a domain- and age group-specific perspective. Drawing on data from two measurement points of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS; t 1: 2008, t 2: 2011; age range at t 1: 40–93 years, n = 6092 participants at t 1), we examined reciprocal relations between views on ageing and perceived age discrimination. Cross-lagged models revealed that domain-specific views on ageing predict subsequent changes in perceived discrimination in corresponding domains: Negative views on ageing regarding personal competence, physical decline, and social interactions were associated with increases in perceived discrimination in the domains of work, medical care, and social life, respectively. However, we did not find evidence for a reciprocal effect of perceived age discrimination on views on ageing. In sum, results indicate that negative views on ageing act as self-fulfilling prophecies by predisposing people to categorize other people’s behaviour as age discrimination or to act themselves in a way that might elicit ageist behaviour in others.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AGG (2006) Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz [General Act on Equal Treatment], BGBl. I S. 1897

  • Ayalon L (2014) Perceived age, gender, and racial/ethnic discrimination in Europe: results from the European Social Survey. Educ Gerontol 40:499–517. doi:10.1080/03601277.2013.845490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron RS, Burgess ML, Kao CF (1991) Detecting and labeling prejudice: Do female perpetrators go undetected? Pers Soc Psychol B 17:115–123. doi:10.1177/014616729101700201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bendick M, Brown LE, Wall K (1999) No foot in the door: an experimental study of employment discrimination against older workers. J Aging Soc Pol 10:5–32. doi:10.1300/J031v10n04_02

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brockmann H (2002) Why is less money spent on health care for the elderly than for the rest of the population? Health care rationing in German hospitals. Soc Sci Med 55:593–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casper C, Rothermund K (2012) Gender self-stereotyping is context dependent for men but not for women. Basic Appl Soc Psychol 34:434–442. doi:10.1080/01973533.2012.712014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casper C, Rothermund K, Wentura D (2011) The activation of specific facets of age stereotypes depends on individuating information. Soc Cognit 29:393–414. doi:10.1521/soco.2011.29.4.393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diekman AB, Hirnisey L (2007) The effect of context on the silver ceiling: a role congruity perspective on prejudiced responses. Pers Soc Psychol B 33:1353–1366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dittmann-Kohli F, Kohli M, Künemund H, Motel A, Steinleitner C, Westerhof G, with the infas Sozialforschung (1997) Lebenszusammenhänge, Selbst- und Lebenskonzeptionen [life contexts, conceptions of self and life]. Free University, Berlin

  • Downey G, Feldman SI (1996) Implications of rejection sensitivity for intimate relationships. J Pers Soc Psychol 70:1327–1343. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.70.6.1327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiske ST (1998) Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. In: Gilbert DT, Fiske ST, Lindzey G (eds) The handbook of social psychology, 4th edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, pp 357–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Garstka TA, Schmitt MT, Branscombe NR, Hummert ML (2004) How young and older adults differ in their responses to perceived age discrimination. Psychol Aging 19:326–335. doi:10.1037/0882-7974.19.2.326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GEDA (2009) Arztbesuch in den letzten 12 Monaten [Visit to the doctor during the last 12 month]. Robert Koch Institut

  • Hehman JA, Bugental DB (2015) Responses to patronizing communication and factors that attenuate those responses. Psychol Aging 30:552–560. doi:10.1037/pag0000041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hess TM, Auman C, Colcombe SJ, Rahhal TA (2003) The impact of stereotype threat on age differences in memory performance. J Gerontol B-Psychol 58:3–11. doi:10.1093/geronb/58.1.P3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton S, Baker J, Pearce GW, Deakin JM (2008) On the malleability of performance: implications for seniors. J Appl Gerontol 27:446–465. doi:10.1177/0733464808315291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huxhold O, Wurm S (2010) Altersdiskriminierung [Age discrimination]. In: Motel-Klingebiel A, Wurm S, Tesch-Römer C (eds) Altern im Wandel—Befunde des Deutschen Alterssurveys (DEAS). Kohlhammer, Stuttgart, pp 234–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Inman ML (2001) Do you see what I see? Similarities and differences in victims’ and observers’ perceptions of discrimination. Soc Cognit 19:521–546. doi:10.1521/soco.19.5.521.19912

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser CR, Hagiwara N, Malahy LW, Wilkins CL (2009) Group identification moderates attitudes toward ingroup members who confront discrimination. J Exp Soc Psychol 45:770–777. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2009.04.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornadt AE, Rothermund K (2011) Contexts of aging: assessing evaluative age stereotypes in different life domains. J Gerontol B-Psychol 66:547–556. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbr036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornadt AE, Rothermund K (2012) Internalization of age stereotypes into the self-concept via future self-views: a general model and domain-specific differences. Psychol Aging 27:164–172. doi:10.1037/a0025110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornadt AE, Rothermund K (2015) Views on aging: domain-specific approaches and implications for developmental regulation. Annu Rev Gerontol Geriatr 35:121–144. doi:10.1891/0198-8794.35.121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornadt AE, Voss P, Rothermund K (2015a) Age stereotypes and self-views revisited: Patterns of internalization and projection processes across the life span. J Gerontol B-Psychol. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbv099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornadt AE, Voss P, Rothermund K (2015b) Hope for the best, prepare for the worst? Future self-views and preparation for age-related changes. Psychol Aging 30:967–976. doi:10.1037/pag0000048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krings F, Sczesny S, Kluge A (2011) Stereotypical inferences as mediators of age discrimination: the role of competence and warmth. Brit J Manag 22:187–201. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8551.2010.00721.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krueger JI (2007) From social projection to social behaviour. Eur Rev Soc Psychol 18:1–35. doi:10.1080/10463280701284645

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamont RA, Swift HJ, Abrams D (2015) A review and meta-analysis of age-based stereotype threat: negative stereotypes, not facts, do the damage. Psychol Aging 30:180–193. doi:10.1037/a0038586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy B (2009) Stereotype embodiment: a psychosocial approach to aging. Curr Dir Psychol Sci 18:332–336. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01662.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy BR, Leifheit-Limson E (2009) The stereotype-matching effect: greater influence on functioning when age stereotypes correspond to outcomes. Psychol Aging 24:230–233. doi:10.1037/a0014563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindeman M (1997) Ingroup bias, self-enhancement and group identification. Eur J Soc Psychol 27:337–355. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-0992(199705)27:3<337:AID-EJSP825>3.0.CO;2-S

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Major B, Sawyer PJ (2009) Attributions to discrimination: antecedents and consequences. In: Nelson TD (ed) Handbook of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. Psychology Press, New York, pp 89–110

    Google Scholar 

  • North MS, Fiske ST (2013) Subtyping ageism: policy issues in succession and consumption. Soc Issues Policy Rev 7:36–57. doi:10.1111/j.1751-2409.2012.01042.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien LT, Kinias Z, Major B (2008) How status and stereotypes impact attributions to discrimination: the stereotype-asymmetry hypothesis. J Exp Soc Psychol 44:405–412. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2006.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavalko EK, Mossakowski KN, Hamilton VJ (2003) Does perceived discrimination affect health? Longitudinal relationships between work discrimination and women’s physical and emotional health. J Health Soc Behav 44:18–33. doi:10.2307/1519813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinel EC (1999) Stigma consciousness: the psychological legacy of social stereotypes. J Pers Soc Psychol 76:114–128. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.76.1.114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins JM, Krueger JI (2005) Social projection to ingroups and outgroups: a review and meta-analysis. Pers Soc Psychol Rev 9:32–47. doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr0901_3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodin MJ, Price JM, Bryson JB, Sanchez FJ (1990) Asymmetry in prejudice attribution. J Exp Soc Psychol 26:481–504. doi:10.1016/0022-1031(90)90052-N

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothermund K (2005) Effects of age stereotypes on self-views and adaptation. In: Greve W, Rothermund K, Wentura D (eds) The adaptive self: personal continuity and intentional self-development. Hogrefe Huber Publishers, Ashland, pp 223–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothermund K, Brandtstädter J (2003) Age stereotypes and self-views in later life: evaluating rival assumptions. Int J Behav Dev 27:549–554. doi:10.1080/01650250344000208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothermund K, Mayer A-K (2009) Altersdiskriminierung: Erscheinungsformen, Erklärungen und Interventionsansätze [age discrimination: manifestations, explanations and intervention approaches]. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Satorra A, Bentler PM (2001) A scaled difference Chi square test statistic for moment structure analysis. Psychometrika 66:507–514. doi:10.1007/BF02296192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schermuly CC, Deller J, Büsch V (2013) A research note on age discrimination and the desire to retire: the mediating effect of psychological empowerment. Res Aging 36:382–393. doi:10.1177/0164027513508288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt MT, Branscombe NR (2002) The meaning and consequences of perceived discrimination in disadvantaged and privileged social groups. Eur Rev Soc Psychol 12:167–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider DJ (2004) The psychology of stereotyping. Guilford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Snellman F, Nygård M, Jungerstam S (2013) Conceptions and tendencies of age discrimination and attitudes towards older people in selected regions in Finland and Sweden. Nord J Soc Res 4:115–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steverink N, Westerhof GJ, Bode C, Dittmann-Kohli F (2001) The personal experience of aging, individual resources, and subjective well-being. J Gerontol B-Psychol 56:364–373. doi:10.1093/geronb/56.6.P364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogt Yuan AS (2007) Perceived age discrimination and mental health. Soc Forces 86:291–311. doi:10.1353/sof.2007.0113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voss P, Rothermund K (2016) Altersdiskriminierung in institutionellen Kontexten [age discrimination in institutional contexts]. In: Kracke B, Noack P (eds) Handbuch Entwicklungs- und Erziehungspsychologie, Springer, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff JK, Warner LM, Ziegelmann JP, Wurm S (2014) What do targeting positive views on ageing add to a physical activity intervention in older adults? Results from a randomised controlled trial. Psychol Health 29:915–932. doi:10.1080/08870446.2014.896464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurm S, Benyamini Y (2014) Optimism buffers the detrimental effect of negative self-perceptions of ageing on physical and mental health. Psychol Health 29(7):832–848. doi:10.1080/08870446.2014.891737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurm S, Tesch-Römer C, Tomasik MJ (2007) Longitudinal finding aging-related cognitions, control beliefs, and health in later life. J Gerontol B-Psychol 62:156–164. doi:10.1093/geronb/62.3.P156

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action on ageism (IS1402).

Funding

The German Ageing Survey was funded by German Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Grant 301-1720-2/2. Preparation of this article was made possible by a grant from the VolkswagenStiftung as part of the project “Ageing as future” (Az. 86 758) to Klaus Rothermund.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Fakultät für Sozial- und Verhaltenswissenschaften, Allgemeine Psychologie II, Am Steiger 3/Haus 1, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Peggy Voss & Klaus Rothermund

  2. German Centre of Gerontology, Manfred-von-Richthofen-Straße 2, 12101, Berlin, Germany

    Julia K. Wolff

Authors
  1. Peggy Voss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julia K. Wolff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Klaus Rothermund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peggy Voss.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Liat Ayalon and Clemens Tesch-Römer (guest editors) and Howard Litwin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Voss, P., Wolff, J.K. & Rothermund, K. Relations between views on ageing and perceived age discrimination: a domain-specific perspective. Eur J Ageing 14, 5–15 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-016-0381-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-016-0381-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation