Ageism and Ageist Language Across the Life Span: Intimate Relationships and Non-intimate Interactions

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 co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social issues 2005-01, Vol.61 (2), p.287-305
Main Authors: Nussbaum, Jon F., Pitts, Margaret J., Huber, Frances N., Krieger, Janice L. Raup, Ohs, Jennifer E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Ageism
Aging
Attitudes
Health care
Interpersonal Relations
Intimacy
Language
Language Usage
Personal relationships
Prejudice
Shareholder approval
Social interaction
Stereotypes
Theory
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Summary: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 by Hummert (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.
ISSN:0022-4537
1540-4560
DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00406.x