Beyond a stereotyped view of older adults' traditional family values

Structural equation models for predictors of traditional family values rega rding relationships were examined in 2 samples: undergraduate students and adults ranging widely in age (23-86 years). Predictor variables included ve rbal ability, need for cognition, need for closure, intolerance for ambigui ty, religiosity, and gender orientation. The models accounted for a substan tial proportion of the variance in traditional family values (64% for stude nts, 63% for adults). Findings provide little support for common stereotype s regarding age and gender differences in traditionalism. Instead, 3 indivi dual-differences variables predicted traditional family values: need for cl osure, religiosity, and verbal ability. Outcomes argue for the need to iden tify multiple mechanisms by which personal characteristics such as need for closure and religiosity influence traditionalism in social belief systems and argue against reliance on status variables such as age and gender as ex planatory variables for these beliefs.