1. Stereotype Traits of Chinese Young Adults: Young, Middle-Aged, and Older PersonsÂ’ Descriptions.
- Author
-
Zhang, Yan Bing and Wang, Kai
- Subjects
AGE distribution ,SOCIAL change ,AGE groups ,STEREOTYPES ,CHINESE people ,SOCIAL history ,TWENTY-first century ,MANNERS & customs - Abstract
This study examined stereotype traits of Chinese young adults generated by 60 young (M age = 24.78), 60 middle-aged (M age = 46.38), and 60 older Chinese adults (M age = 66.50). Trait lists were compared across age groups and to Western traits reported in earlier research (Matheson, Collins & Kuehne, 2000; Chasteen, Schwarz, & Park, 2002). Results indicated that Chinese participants had multiple stereotypes and mixed perceptions of the young. While considerable overlap was observed between stereotype traits generated by these Chinese participants and those from earlier studies with Western participants (e.g., energetic, ambitious, lazy, and reckless), unique Chinese traits (e.g., open-minded, filial, hedonistic, and individualistic) associated with young adults were also identified. Whereas the middle-aged and older participants listed an equal number of positive and negative traits, the young participants generated significantly more negative traits than positive ones about their own age group. Discussion focuses on the impact of modernization and cultural change on perceptions of young adults in the Chinese society. ..PAT.-Conference Proceeding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006