| Abstract: | Theorists argue that one's personal view of communication affects the actual communicative relationship. This paper explores the positive, growth‐promoting implications for communication between generations when the model that persons bring to the cross‐generational relationship is transactional, and discusses implications of the transactional model for trainers and educators in gerontology. With the rising number of older persons in American society, the question for persons working on a consistent basis with the elderly (kin, social service provider, etc.) of how to relate most effectively on an interpersonal basis with an older person is an issue of great import. The authors suggest that the transactional perspective to interpersonal communication with older persons is the answer to most effectively dealing with factors affecting communication cross‐generationally and suggest that educators adopt this perspective. Factors that the transactional perspective addresses directly include negative stereotypes and fears of aging, crises encountered as the person ages, shifts during the later life cycle in exposure to interpersonal communication, and ability to negotiate relationships. |
