Question

1. What is ageism? 1pt.
2. Where do negative attitudes toward aging come from? 1pt.
3. How can people develop a more positive attitude toward aging? 1pt.
4. How has the image of the older consumer changed in the past few years? Explain why older consumers have
become a force in the marketplace. 2pts.
5. How will an aging population affect social structures like education, healthcare, and the family? 1pt.
6. What are the three main areas of gerontological study? And what are the three major theoretical perspectives used
in gerontological research? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective list 1 of each)? 3pts
7. What role did each of the three major demographic forces play in the aging of Canada's population from the 1850s
to the present? How did each force affect societal aging? Describe the outcome of the demographic transition in
Canada in terms of birth rates, death rates, life expectancy, sex ratios, and other current conditions. 3pts.​

Answer 1

Aging is a highly individualized and complex process; yet it continues to be stereotyped, especially in Western cultures. Stereotypes about a particular group play a powerful role in shaping how we think about and interact with individuals, as well as how individuals within the stereotyped group see themselves [1].

Stereotypes are unchallenged myths or overstated beliefs associated with a category which are widespread and entrenched in verbal, written, and visual contexts within society [2]. Stereotypes of aging include assumptions and generalizations about how people at or over a certain age should behave, and what they are likely to experience, without regard for individual differences or unique circumstances [3].