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A field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of enhanced personal responsibility and choice on a group of nursing home residents. It was expected that the debilitated condition of many of the aged residing in institutional settings is, at least in part, a result of living in a virtually decision-free environment and consequently is potentially reversible. Residents who were in the experimental group were given a communication emphasizing their responsibility for themselves, whereas the communication given to a second group stressed the staffs responsibility for them. In addition, to bolster the communication, the former group was given the freedom to make choices and the responsibility of caring for a plant rather than having decisions made and tbe plant taken care of for them by the staff, as was the case for the latter group. Questionnaire ratings and behavioral measures showed a significant improvement for the experimental group over the comparison group on alertness, active participation, and a general sense of well-being. The transition from adulthood to old age is often perceived as a process of loss, physiologically and psychologically (Birren, 1958; (oiild, 1972). However, it is as yet unclear jc,t how much of this change is biologically dt lermined and how much is a function of the et vironment. The ability to sustain a sense of p rsonal control in old age may be greatly infleenced by societal factors, and this in turn n, ly affect ones physical well-being. Typically the life situation does change in o! I age. There is some loss of roles, norms, ai il reference groups, events that negatively ir luence ones perceived competence and ft ling of responsibility (Bengston, 1973). P rception of these changes in addition to a ual physical decrements may enhance a s ( ise of aging and lower self-esteem (Lehr P schner, Note 1). In response to internal i-quests for reprints should be sent to Ellen
Langer et al. (Thu,) studied this question.