Suchergebnisse

Three experiments tested the hypothesis that judgments about a group formed by two paired categories would rely on stored instances of individual category members (i.e., exemplars) in some cases, but not in others. Specifically, judgments of a relatively unfamiliar compound category (e.g., male elementary schoolteachers) were expected to rely on exemplars, whereas alternative sources of information, particularly abstract stereotypes, would be available for making judgments of a more familiar category (e.g., female elementary schoolteachers). Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated support for these hypotheses. Experiment 3 ruled out the possibility that the differences in judgment strategy between the familiar and unfamiliar compound categories arose from the relative incompatibility of the two constituent categories (e.g., males and elementary schoolteachers), rather than familiarity. Implications for stereotype development and change are discussed.

Attitudes are known to exert a powerful influence upon physical performance in later life, include ADL and IADL dependency, with variable impact. Aim of this study was to investigate the impact of attitudes toward one's own aging on functional outcomes in a national-wide representative sample of community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Data on participants (N=3778) aged 65 and over who participated in the 2003 and 2007 Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA) were analyzed. Physical disability, including mobility limitations, IADLs and ADLs were regressed on an individual's attitude toward aging in 2003, with control of their physical function and other covariates in 2003. Results show that positive attitude toward aging was associated with higher levels of physical function four years later. Specifically, negative attitude on "Will you raise grandchildren in retired-years" was associated with higher ADL limitations during follow-up (OR:1.75, 95% CI 1.26–2.42, p<0.001). Negative attitude on "Do you agree that government had provided welfare in accordance with demand" was associated with lower IADL limitations (OR:0.82, 95% CI 0.68–0.99, p<0.05). Besides, negative thought against actively instruction for intimate relationship maintenance was associated with higher limitations in mobility (OR:1.31, 95% CI 1.04–1.64, p 0.02) and ADLs (OR:1.40, 95% CI 1.01–1.94, p <0.05). Findings from this study suggest that having positive attitudes toward aging may contribute to better physical outcomes in older adults despite other well known risk. Helping older adults overcoming negative thought of aging at societal and individual level may help to achieve successful aging with positive physical outcomes.