Knowledge of Aging: A Cross‐sectional Study of Three Different Age Groups

A study was conducted to determine factual accuracy of youngsters’ knowledge about older people and the moderating effect on knowledge level resulting from differences in age/education, sex, racial origin, and experience living in a household with an older person. The 208 youngsters in the sample were drawn from middle schools, high schools, and college in three Florida counties. Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz was administered, overall and item error rates determined, and comparative analyses made for each of the four hypothesized moderator variables. Findings revealed a negative bias toward older people by all three age/educational level groups, and common misconceptions were observed on a number of specific dimensions of knowledge about the elderly.