Revalence and longevity of this age demographic, negative views of the elderly continue to circulate. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive, was publically quoted as saying that, “young people are just smarter” (as cited by Kopytoff, 2014). Similarly, Vinod Khosla, a co-founder of sun microsystems, venture capitalist, and billionaire, has stated that “people over 45 basically die in terms of new ideas” (as cited in Kopytoff, 2014). What these quotes reflect are the broader assumptions often believed and implicitly or explicitly expressed throughout society. According to one study, as high as 77 of respondents (aged 60 and older) reported experiencing one or more incidents of ageism, with more than half of the incidents reported as being experienced more than once (Palmore, 2001). In general, the elderly are often perceived as less mentally and physically competent, incapable of or otherwise resistant to change, and overall less flexible or adaptable to new situations. As words and phrases such as “latest and greatest,” “cutting-edge,” “sophisticated,” etc., are often so strongly GW9662 chemical information implicit inAuthor Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptComput Human Behav. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 01.Magsamen-Conrad et al.Pageour experiences/perceptions of new media, they also seem implicitly ageist given the aforementioned stereotypes. While we are all-too-familiar with these kinds of stereotypes, it is important to consider the ways in which these views might impact older adults, both in our interactions with them as well as their own physical and emotional well-being. For the purposes of this study, understanding the impact of ageism might help shed more light on the overall relationship between effort expectancy and tablet intention, use, and adoption with regard to the Builder generation. For example, Levy, Slade, Kasl, and Kunkel (2002) argue that ageism differs from other forms of self-stereotypes due to internalization processes. While race and gender stereotypes are often encountered as individuals develop group self-identities, age stereotypes are acquired several decades prior to becoming older. Therefore younger individuals more readily accept age related stereotypes without critically appraising them. Consequently, “when individuals reach old age and the stereotypes become Lixisenatide price self-relevant, they have already internalized these stereotypes” (Levy, et al., p. 261). While being in a situation that might activate a stereotype threat of aging may contribute to feelings of anxiety (such as being asked to learn and use a new technology), Levy’s team suggests that aging stereotypes would have already long been assimilated. This means that Builders’ expectations, anxieties, and frustrations related to aging and learning new technology are much more deeply intertwined with their sense of self than it would be if negative perceptions arose merely as a result of being introduced to a potentially threatening environment or situation. Due to the above findings, the current study further suggests that training programs designed to address these complexities are needed. This would include an even greater understanding and sensitivity to not only potential physical limitations of older populations, but also internalized stereotypes held by both older adults and the training facilitators. At the very least, the challenges and complexities experienced as a result of ageism might further highlight the import.Revalence and longevity of this age demographic, negative views of the elderly continue to circulate. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive, was publically quoted as saying that, “young people are just smarter” (as cited by Kopytoff, 2014). Similarly, Vinod Khosla, a co-founder of sun microsystems, venture capitalist, and billionaire, has stated that “people over 45 basically die in terms of new ideas” (as cited in Kopytoff, 2014). What these quotes reflect are the broader assumptions often believed and implicitly or explicitly expressed throughout society. According to one study, as high as 77 of respondents (aged 60 and older) reported experiencing one or more incidents of ageism, with more than half of the incidents reported as being experienced more than once (Palmore, 2001). In general, the elderly are often perceived as less mentally and physically competent, incapable of or otherwise resistant to change, and overall less flexible or adaptable to new situations. As words and phrases such as “latest and greatest,” “cutting-edge,” “sophisticated,” etc., are often so strongly implicit inAuthor Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptComput Human Behav. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 01.Magsamen-Conrad et al.Pageour experiences/perceptions of new media, they also seem implicitly ageist given the aforementioned stereotypes. While we are all-too-familiar with these kinds of stereotypes, it is important to consider the ways in which these views might impact older adults, both in our interactions with them as well as their own physical and emotional well-being. For the purposes of this study, understanding the impact of ageism might help shed more light on the overall relationship between effort expectancy and tablet intention, use, and adoption with regard to the Builder generation. For example, Levy, Slade, Kasl, and Kunkel (2002) argue that ageism differs from other forms of self-stereotypes due to internalization processes. While race and gender stereotypes are often encountered as individuals develop group self-identities, age stereotypes are acquired several decades prior to becoming older. Therefore younger individuals more readily accept age related stereotypes without critically appraising them. Consequently, “when individuals reach old age and the stereotypes become self-relevant, they have already internalized these stereotypes” (Levy, et al., p. 261). While being in a situation that might activate a stereotype threat of aging may contribute to feelings of anxiety (such as being asked to learn and use a new technology), Levy’s team suggests that aging stereotypes would have already long been assimilated. This means that Builders’ expectations, anxieties, and frustrations related to aging and learning new technology are much more deeply intertwined with their sense of self than it would be if negative perceptions arose merely as a result of being introduced to a potentially threatening environment or situation. Due to the above findings, the current study further suggests that training programs designed to address these complexities are needed. This would include an even greater understanding and sensitivity to not only potential physical limitations of older populations, but also internalized stereotypes held by both older adults and the training facilitators. At the very least, the challenges and complexities experienced as a result of ageism might further highlight the import.
