Calling Out Ageism: How Intersecting Identities and Confrontation Tone Influence Perceptions of Older Adult Confronters

Exposure to ageist comments can harm older adults’ health, making it crucial to address ageism – especially in today’s increasingly diverse aging population. Across two studies, young (18–29) and older (65+) participants evaluated an older Black or White man or woman who confronted ageism. Confronting led to warmth penalties, both in Study 1 (n = 499) and in Study 2 (n = 518), especially when confronters used a strong tone, or were Black. In contrast, competence judgments showed a different pattern: they increased for White, but not Black confronters in Study 1, and only occurred among young participants in Study 2. These findings highlight that confrontation carries both costs and benefits that vary by race, tone, and observer age, underscoring the need for interventions that consider the interplay of these important factors when aiming to reduce ageism and improve intergenerational relations.