Premium
Ageism and Ageist Language Across the Life Span: Intimate Relationships and Non‐intimate Interactions
Author(s) -
Nussbaum Jon F.,
Pitts Margaret J.,
Huber Frances N.,
Krieger Janice L. Raup,
Ohs Jennifer E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00406.x
Subject(s) - stereotype (uml) , psychology , social psychology , life span , empirical research , developmental psychology , gerontology , sociology , medicine , epistemology , philosophy
The possible effects of ageist language and ageism on the structure and function of intimate and non‐intimate relationships have received significant attention from social scientists. Recent research grounded in communication accommodation theory (Giles, Mulac, Bradac, & Johnson, 1987), the communication predicament model of ageing (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986), the communication enhancement model of ageing (Ryan, Meredith, MacLean, & Orange, 1995), and ageing and stereotype research byHummert (1994)and colleagues (Hummert & Mazloff, 2001; Hummert, Shaner, & Garstka, 1995 ) point toward the numerous consequences of both negative and positive attitudes toward ageing. Focusing specifically on health care settings, this article reviews recent theoretical positions and empirical findings that link ageist language and ageism to these positive and negative social consequences, and offers pragmatic suggestions and directions for future research .