Age Differences in Age Stereotypes The Role of Life Domain and Cultural Context

We examined the domain-specific views of young and old people held by young (18-30 years, n = 278) and older adults (60-85 years, n = 289) in Germany, the USA, and India. Views about old and young people differed between life domains but were mostly similar across age groups and countries. Older adults in the USA and Germany - but not in India - held slightly less negative views about old people than did young people in some domains, possibly indicating a projection of better-than-expected own aging experiences of older adults into their in-group stereotypes in Western countries. The findings of our study can be explained by socialization processes, supporting mostly a developmental perspective regarding the acquisition and endorsement of age stereotypes.