ATTITUDES OF YOUNG-ADULTS TOWARD OLDER ADULTS - EVIDENCE FROM THE UNITED-STATES AND THAILAND

Negative attitudes toward older adults are often thought to be diminis hed in cultures that preserve gerontocratic tendencies. Little empiric al evidence concerning this belief, however, is extant in the literatu re. The present study employed an adjective-generation instrument to m easure attitudes toward the elderly. This instrument was administered to young adults in rural northern Thailand, a culture which is widely reported to maintain a strong tradition of filial piety, and to young adults in the United States, a culture in which widespread ageism is s uspected. A significant interaction was observed; contrary to initial expectations, Thai students were somewhat more negative about elders t han were their American counterparts. Results indicate that gerontocra tic traditions within a given society do not necessarily insulate the aged from negative stereotyping.