ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ELDERLY: AN INTERGENERATIONAL EXAMINATION

The relationship between children's attitudes toward older people and older people's perception of children's attitudes toward them were examined using the Attitude Perception Questionnaire. Results were analyzed for 52 fifth‐ and sixth‐grade children and 52 older adults, and comparisons made on the basis of age, sex and amount of intergenerational contact. Older adults perceptions of children's attitudes toward them were more negative than the children's actual attitudes. Implications for persons involved in planning and implementing intergenerational programs are discussed.     

CHILDREN'S ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ELDERLY: AN INTERGENERATIONAL TECHNIQUE FOR CHANGE

This investigation examined changes in children's perceptions of the elderly following an intervention in the frequency of contact that school‐aged children had with old people. Elderly persons served as tutors in a reading tutorial program for a period of two months. Pre‐and postintervention measures of attitudes and reading skills were taken from the children; measures of morale were obtained among the elderly sample. Evaluations of the program were also provided by the elderly, the children, school principals, and teachers. An analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction effect of group by test, suggesting that even a relatively brief intervention can modify children's perceptions of the aged. Although there were no significant changes in the responses of the elderly subjects as measured by objective questionnaires, the majority of the tutors reported that they were happier and felt more involved in the community while working in the program.     

ATTITUDES OF OLDER ADULTS TOWARD A COMPUTER TRAINING PROGRAM

Many older adult have an interest in learning to use computers. The study reported in this article examined whether older adults' attitudes toward computers can be influenced by direct, customized computer training. Thirty older participants who registered for introductory computer courses offered at a SeniorNet computer lab completed the Attitudes Toward Computers Questionnaire (ATCQ) before and after class participation. Attitudes were assessed on seven dimensions. There was borderline statistical significance for the “comfort” attitude dimension, which assesses the respondent's feeling of comfort with the computer and its use. No significant differences were found for the remaining six attitude dimensions. The results underscore the importance of the intervention design in eliciting attitude change. Based upon the findings of this research, several actions have taken place to increase comfort and efficacy and to control attitudinal dimensions, thereby providing more meaningful experiences for the participants.     

THE IMPACT OF AN INSERVICE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ON THE GERONTOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF GERIATRIC RECREATIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

The impact of an inservice program on practitioners’ gerontological knowledge and attitudes was examined. A nonequivalent control group design was used to conduct the study. The experimental group was made up of geriatric recreational service providers attending the first of two annual one‐week inservice educational programs. An outdoor resource management undergraduate level class served as the control group. The experimental group relative to the control group underwent a significant increase in their gerontological knowledge. Neither group experienced a significant change in their attitudes regarding the social value of the elderly or personal anxiety toward aging. The amount of change experienced in gerontological knowledge by program participants was significantly influenced by the degree of contact the individual had had with elders but not by their educational background. Educational background and degree of contact were not significantly associated with change in gerontological‐related attitudes. Implications for persons involved in designing and developing educational programs are discussed.     

A STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES OF FEMALE ADULTS TOWARD COMPUTERS

This study investigated the attitudes of female adult subjects toward computers. The population consisted of 63 subjects, most of whom were enrolled in allied health curricula. The instrument used was the Computer Attitude Scale. It was found that computer anxiety existed only to a moderate degree. Subjects who had taken a computer literacy course expressed on some items, a more positive attitude toward microcomputers. No evidence was found of a significant relationship between age and their attitude toward computers.     

ATTITUDES OF OLDER WOMEN TOWARD CONTINUING ADULT EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Current low rates of participation by elderly people in formal learning situations may be improved by developing programs that consider their attitudes, learning interests, and needs. This study was conducted to examine the attitudes of potential participants in continuing education programs concerning (1) factors that would reduce anxiety and (2) appropriate educational experiences given the abilities and learning needs of the target group.

Twenty‐seven white predominantly upper middle‐class, highly educated women aged 65 years and over were given a questionnaire concerning attitudes toward continuing education. Most (89%) indicated an interest in taking humanities classes (i.e., history, literature, music, languages, and current affairs). In addition, 55% preferred the lecture format; 81% preferred mixed ages in classes; 48% reported interest in having a companion enroll with them; and 65% reported that family members did not suggest that they enroll.

Highly educated elderly women appear interested in taking universitylevel classes. Future research should examine whether there is an increase in enrollment in programs specifically designed to meet their needs and interests. Caution is advised in generalizing results of need and attitude assessment of highly educated old people to less economically, occupationally, and educationally privileged elderly.     

空巢老人问题探析

建立一套科学的社会保障体系,保障老人有一个富裕的晚年和丰富多彩的精神世界,是建设社会主义和谐社会的重要内容。本文将从空巢老人的概念入手,剖析其产生的经济、社会根源,并结合实际提出相关的建议和意见。     

STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ELDERLY IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

A Chinese translation of a standardized instrument was used to investigate the attitudes of 199 Mainland Chinese university students concerning the elderly. The findings revealed that students' attitudes were in the positive and neutral ranges and that elderly males were perceived more favorably than elderly females. The findings also revealed that the majority of students had considered working with the elderly. Those who reported to have been closer to an elderly person held more positive attitudes. The findings of this study are compared to similar studies done in other countries and discussed within the context of Chinese culture and society.     

FACULTY ATTITUDES TOWARD EVALUATION OF TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO

This report summarizes the results of a survey of faculty member attitudes towards the evaluation of teaching at the University of Western Ontario. Although the existing system of evaluation is perceived as narrow in focus, ineffective in improving teaching and inflexible, faculty members still optimistically expect that a satisfactory system is possible.     

THE ROLE OF PARENTAL ATTITUDES IN CHILDREN'S MOTIVATION TOWARD HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Completing homework assignments is part of students' daily routine. Because this task is embedded within the home environment, parents play an important role in homework‐related attitudes and behaviors. Recent findings have demonstrated that effort and cognitive engagement while doing homework are better proximal predictors of positive outcomes than merely the time spent on it. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether parental goal emphasis explains children's motivational orientation toward homework and the perceived dissonance between home and school. Participants included parent–child dyads (N = 220), who completed surveys adapted from the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scales. Path analysis using structural equation modeling indicated that parents’ emphasis on mastery goals was associated with children's mastery goals, which was in turn linked with higher achievement in school. Parents’ emphasis on performance goals was associated with children's performance goals and a higher sense of dissonance between home and school.     

DIRECT OBSERVATIONS OF CHILDREN AT RISK FOR ACADEMIC FAILURE: BENEFITS OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL VISITING PROGRAM

Ten elementary school students in need of a positive self-image and/or a sense of appropriate social conduct took part in a monthly intergenerational visiting program at an assisted living facility. In comparison to systematic observations obtained in their classrooms, the children were observed to be significantly less anxious, more interested, and participating more during the intergenerational program. Outcomes of a focus group with five seniors revealed that they had enjoyed the program and wanted it to continue. School administrators may want to consider intergenerational visiting programs for students whose behaviors place them at risk for academic failure.     

COGNITIVE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARD THE AGED OF DENTAL AND MEDICAL STUDENTS

The need for the incorporation of training in geriatrics and gerontology into basic medical and dental education has recently been recognized. Studies that have attempted to measure the attitudes of medical and dental students toward the aged have been extremely limited. The present study, part of a larger study of attitudes and knowledge among 700 health workers, examines the attitudes and knowledge of over 283 dental and medical students at different stages in their professional education, using Rosencranz and McNevin's Aging Semantic Differential and Palmore's Short Quiz on Facts on Aging. No significant deterioration or improvement in attitudes toward the aged was found in the course of medical and dental education. Correlational analysis revealed a complex relationship between knowledge and attitude scores.     

FACTORS AFFECTING THE ATTITUDES OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS TOWARD MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to assess and determine how operation under a management by objectives system (MBO) has affected administrative units and individual administrators in public two‐year community colleges. Results from the study showed that respondent attitudes toward the management by objectives system were favorable. The variables identified which serve as significant predictors of administrator attitudes toward the MBO program were: (a) effective as a means for planning and organizing work for which an administrator is accountable, (b) effective as a means for evaluating work performance, (c) effective in improving satisfaction with being more a part of decisions, (d) effective in improving the attitudes of the superior toward the MBO program as perceived by subordinates. Negative reactions toward the MBO system were perceived to be generated by increased paperwork and difficulty in setting educational objectives.     

THE IMPACT OF A DIFFERENTIAL SOCIAL POWER SYSTEM ON LATINOS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

The perceptions of Mexican American students’ school attitudes toward the community college and high school experiences were examined in relation to a high‐USPI (unequal social power influence) environment (higher percentage of Anglos than Mexican Americans) and a low‐USPI environment (lower percentage of Anglos than Mexican Americans). A three‐factor analysis of variance indicated significant differences in attitudes and school experiences.