Langer, Taylor, Fiske and Chanowitz (1976) conducted studies to explain why individuals avoid others who are different. Langer et al. found that disabled veterans felt dehumanized when being blatantly stared at by nonhandicapped individuals. The study showed that people from the out-group make people from the in-group uneasy, and the conflict between the two leads to negative discrimination. These negative feelings towards the elderly, while viewing them as “different”, can lower their self-esteem and affect their behavior. It was also hypothesized that people avoid the “different” other due to the fear they will end up like them. Maybe younger individuals are holding this negative age bias towards the elderly because they’re afraid of growing
Langer, Taylor, Fiske and Chanowitz (1976) conducted studies to explain why individuals avoid others who are different. Langer et al. found that disabled veterans felt dehumanized when being blatantly stared at by nonhandicapped individuals. The study showed that people from the out-group make people from the in-group uneasy, and the conflict between the two leads to negative discrimination. These negative feelings towards the elderly, while viewing them as “different”, can lower their self-esteem and affect their behavior. It was also hypothesized that people avoid the “different” other due to the fear they will end up like them. Maybe younger individuals are holding this negative age bias towards the elderly because they’re afraid of growing