Abstract

In this study, we focused on the socio-structural factors that cause ageism, investigating whether the influence of the resource scarcity on ageism in the younger generation depends on socioeconomic status. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an online study of 219 adults in their 20s and 30s. Specifically, participants were randomly assigned to either the resource scarcity priming condition or the control condition, and completed a writing task. After this, participants responded to ageism and socioeconomic status items. As a result, the effect of resource scarcity on ageism was not significant. However, we found that socioeconomic status moderated the impact of resource scarcity on ageism. In other words, resource scarcity priming has been shown to significantly reduce ageism for individuals who have relatively lower socioeconomic status. This finding is in line with previous studies in which people of low socioeconomic status were found to be more sympathetic to socially disadvantaged individuals suffering deleterious situations such as resource scarcity. This work is significant in that we have looked at both the situational and personal factors influencing ageism, and in that we have attempted to examine the causal influence of resource scarcity on ageism through an experimental approach. However, since the alternative explanation of the findings has not been completely excluded, replication through further studies will be necessary.