PSY230 Assignment 1: Discussion—Understanding Ageism
PSY230 Assignment 1: Discussion—Understanding Ageism
Myths and negative stereotypes about the elderly population have negative effects on the assessment and treatment of elderly clients. The most common untrue myths are that most aged individuals are irritable, angry, or unhappy; that older drivers have more vehicle accidents compared to younger drivers; that most live alone; or that aged individuals are more likely than younger people to be victims of crime (Palmore, 2005).
A counselor’s attitude toward the elderly can negatively affect his/her treatment of elderly clients. The degree to which a counselor can be free of such stereotypes against the elderly will improve the care the client will receive.
For this week’s discussion read about ageism in your text along with in the lecture notes and take the Age Implicit Association Test (IAT) atimplicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/, which measures the degree to which humans prefer young versus old faces. Then discuss the following: