Older Adults’ Stereotypes of and Attitudes Toward Younger Adults and Intergenerational Contact Frequency

Abstract

ABSTRACT Affective attitudes and stereotypes of older toward younger adults influence intergenerational contact experiences and are shaped by them. To capture contemporary stereotypes about young men and women, in Study 1 (N = 112), we collected stereotypes in older adults’ own words. In Study 2 (N = 225), we collected ratings on these stereotypes and showed that negative contact correlated higher with stereotyping than positive contact, while affective attitudes were similarly correlated with both (consistent with a stronger impact of negative contact only on stereotypes). Additionally, contact showed stronger associations with warmth-related compared to competence-related stereotype content. Both results deserve attention for improving intergenerational relations.