Cohort change in images of older adults, 1974-1981

This study examines images of older people held by adults of all ages at two points in time. The two surveys, 7 years apart (1974 and 1981), permit the examination of cohort changes in such perceptions over time. Multivariate analysis indicated that social class and health status evaluations of older adults declined between the two surveys, principally because of the assessments by more recent cohorts. With regard to media portrayals of older adults, more recent cohorts felt that the media portrayals of older adults were distorted by presenting a more positive picture than what older people actually experienced.