Breaking the silence of ageism by teaching psychology musically

Journal/Book: Educ Gerontol. 1998; 24: 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598. Hemisphere Publ Corp. 585-593.

Abstract: Whereas ageism attitudes are pervasive across age groups, the collusion of silence about aging often is invoked whenever an older person communicates with a younger person. This pattern of silent denial, or minimal address of the aging issues, is also evident in psychology textbooks and presumably among teachers. The purpose of this article is to propose a method for managing the presentation of difficult material as well as to describe a procedure for transforming current attitudes to more accepting values. The music sonata provided the compassionately structured model; rather than a minimal address of aging, this course in life span development both began and ended with rate adults as the theme topic. They were presented as the role models and the comparison group. Active discourse and appropriate self-disclosure were used to provide safe structures for the expression of experiences and opinions about aging. Ageism was analyzed to exemplify the process of stereotyping and as an effort to build more accepting values about aging. The majority of students' written opinion comments favorably endorsed this highly involved, thematic focus on late adults. Many stated that they could both identify and communicate more with late adults.

Note: Article Harju BL, E Carolina Univ, Dept Psychol, Greenville,NC 27858 USA

Keyword(s): PREFERENCES; ATTITUDES; STUDENTS

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