Perceiving Age Discrimination in Response to Intergenerational Inequity

Abstract

Young (N= 57), middle‐aged (N= 57), and older adults (N= 47) were presented with an editorial that argued in favor of their age group's economic interests (e.g., their privilege was fair; their disadvantage was unfair) or against their age group's economic interests (e.g., their privilege was unfair; their disadvantage was fair). Participants completed measures of perceived age discrimination, attributions for outcomes, and support for age‐based spending. Unfavorable intergenerational comparisons elicited higher perceived age discrimination in middle‐aged adults, and more support among all age groups for funding to middle‐aged adults compared to favorable comparisons. Young and older adults reported more age discrimination than middle‐aged adults regardless of comparison type. Age group status consequences for responses to the intergenerational conflict debate are discussed.