Re-Vision of Older Television Characters: A Stereotype-Awareness Intervention

  1. Margie M. Donlon1,*,
  2. Ori Ashman2,
  3. Becca R. Levy3

Article first published online: 16 MAY 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00407.x

Issue

Journal of Social Issues

Journal of Social Issues

Volume 61, Issue 2, pages 307–319, June 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Donlon, M. M., Ashman, O. and Levy, B. R. (2005), Re-Vision of Older Television Characters: A Stereotype-Awareness Intervention. Journal of Social Issues, 61: 307–319. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00407.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Rochester

  2. 2

    Murdoch University

  3. 3

    Yale University

* *Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Margie M. Donlon, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 236, Rochester NY, 14642, [e-mail: margaret_donlon@urmc.rochester.edu].

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 16 MAY 2005
  2. Article first published online: 16 MAY 2005

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This study examines whether greater television exposure predicts older individuals' more negative images of aging, and whether an intervention based on maintaining a television diary of viewing impressions will increase their awareness of the stereotypical and infrequent manner in which elders are presented. Seventy-six individuals, aged 60 to 92, participated. As expected, all participants showed a correspondence between greater television exposure and more negative images of aging. Also as expected, the intervention-group participants developed a greater awareness of how elders are presented on television. Further, the intervention-group participants expressed their intention to watch less television in the future. These findings suggest that the promotion of awareness provides a means of helping elders confront ageism.

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