Two Elements of Aging

• Stereotypes-
• Definition: positive or negative attitudes and beliefs about an entire group of people
• Stereotypes reflect generalizations about the whole social category and not beliefs about specific individuals within that category
• Examples: 
• Older people are cranky
• Older people are weak and frail
• Older people are not able to use technology
• Discrimination- 
• Definition: behavior that limits a person's opportunities due to the social category to which the person belong 
• Discrimination is based on stereotypes
• Example:
• Not hiring a person because you believe they don't have the necessary technological skills simply because they are older
• A company forcing an older person to retire
• More information about forced retirement can be found here.
• In forced retirement, a company essentially fires an older employee while allowing the employee to formally retire with their retirement benefits