Patronizing communication is less offensive than direct derogatory language. (Pr
ID: 3495214 • Letter: P
Question
Patronizing communication is less offensive than direct derogatory language. (Professional psychologists and medical students are unlikely to show prejudice against the elderly. () Answers: 1-T, 2-F, 3-F, 4-T, 5-F, 6-F, 7-T, 8-T.9-F, 10-F Explain the problems with stereotypes and give examples of stereotype of the elderly to illustrate these problems. How is stress related to illness and aging? Explain the psychological theories that help us understand age prejudice. What can help disprove negative stereotypes of age?Explanation / Answer
3. Explain the psychological theories that help us understand age prejudice.
There are three theories that explain the discrimination against older people can be explained by:
- conflict theory
- activity theory
- disengagement theory
The conflict theory : This theory states that prejudices are held against the older people. Inequalities can be seen against every line of gender, social class and race as well as ethnicity. This theory concentrates majorly on the conflicts that exist in a society.
The disengagement theory: in the disengagement theory, it has been explained the withdrawal of the older adults from the normal mentally as well as physically engaging tasks. The older people tend to withdraw, or are forced to withdraw from these tasks, so that the younger people would take and assume their roles. This further increases prejudices as it seems to be understood that they CANNOT carry out these tasks and hence are undermined.
The activity theory: in this theory, perceptions and interactions that deal with ageing theory are explained. It is said if the older adults view their age as not an obstruction in carrying out various functions. If the older adults view themselves as negative, reactions also come out more negative.
4. What can help disprove negative stereotypes of age?
The negative stereotypes against ageing can be removed by portraying more positivity to what we have undermined from a very long time. Since it has been observed, that life expectancy has increased by almost 30 years on an average, it is important that we consider this strata of the society as important and permanent and not people who would just fade away very soon. It is important to make people realise that we need to care about people who age more than 60. Engaging more of such people in our work place, who can physically endure it, along with incorporating their experience with our new ideas, can create much better efficiency.