Sociopsychological Factors of Ageism
The article discusses the issue of ageism as a type of discriminatory relations manifested in stereotyped ideas about elderly people, conscious and unconscious negative attitude towards them, and behavior that restricts their freedom and belittles their dignity. The article offers the analysis of social and psychological causes of ageism proliferation. Social causes include: technological progress, rejuvenation of the most influential social stratum, state policy towards the elderly and mass media, social tension. Some of the psychological causes are regularities of intergroup relations during the periods of social tension and chronic stress, living with and without the family. The paper gives examples of ageism in public and family relations. Particular attention is drawn to the empirical studies in Russian and foreign psychology, considering the psychological consequences of ageism proliferation, including infantilization of elderly people, delayed influence on the emotional state of today’s young generation.