"But Can Ageism Have Its Benefits? No one would argue that ageism is all that great as a societal ill, but in a new study by Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena's M. Clara P. de Paulo Couto and colleagues (2025), there could be some personal benefits buried in all those derogatory depictions of older adults. Using a measure called "Views on Aging (VoA)," the international team of authors probed ageist stereotypes to see if beliefs about older adults in general could and should be separated from beliefs about yourself."
"On a 1 to 8 scale, how much would you agree with this item: "When I am older, I will have few [vs. many] friends and acquaintances." Now, how would you rate this item: "Old people have few [vs. many] friends and acquaintances." You can see by these two sample ratings that you could rate yourself positively on the friendship domain, but see older people in a completely negative light."
Stereotype embodiment theory found that negative thoughts about getting older can shorten lifespans. Public guidance urged rejecting ageist beliefs and emphasizing aging's benefits to protect mental and physical health. Some evidence suggests that certain ageist depictions may hold personal advantages when beliefs about older adults in general are distinct from beliefs about one's own aging. Measures like Views on Aging assess both self-expectations and general beliefs, revealing that people can expect positive personal aging while holding negative views of older people. This distinction may influence longevity and subjective fulfillment.
Read at Psychology Today
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