Age Differences in Explicit and Implicit Age Attitudes Across the Life Span.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Biased judgments can be implicit (unconscious) or explicit (conscious).
• Limited research exists on lifespan differences in implicit versus explicit age bias.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for addressing ageism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related variations in implicit and explicit attitudes toward older individuals.
• To explore how implicit and explicit age bias differ across the lifespan.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and explicit self-report measures.
• Analyzed data from a large sample (N = 704,151) aged 15 to 94.
• Examined demographic correlates of age bias, including gender and education.

Main Results:

• A universal implicit preference for younger individuals was observed across all age groups.
• Implicit age bias was most pronounced among older adult participants.
• Explicit attitudes showed an inverse pattern, with older adults expressing the least explicit preference for younger people.

Conclusions:

• Implicit and explicit attitudes toward older adults exhibit divergent patterns across the lifespan.
• Findings highlight the complexity of age perception and its development.
• Results offer insights for interventions aimed at reducing prejudice against older adults.