911³Ô¹Ï

On October 30, the Gerontology Department at 911³Ô¹Ï had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Klaus Rothermund, a distinguished psychologist, for a lecture on age stereotypes. Prior to the talk, Dr. Rothermund met with researchers from 911³Ô¹Ï’s Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Lab for an informal gathering, where the lab members had the opportunity to learn about Dr. Rothermund’s research and discuss the DASH and COPE projects, creating a valuable exchange of ideas.

is a Professor and Chair for Psychology at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, Germany. For more than two decades, Rothermund has made influential contributions to the field of aging research and lifespan development. A major focus of Dr. Rothermund’s current research is on age stereotypes and how views of aging influence development in old age.

Dr. Rothermund’s lecture, "Age Stereotypes: Core Determinants of Development in Old Age," delved into gaps in age stereotype research, particularly the focus on older adults while neglecting stereotypes of young people and domain-specific views. Dr. Klaus Rothermund highlighted how age stereotypes reflect internalization and projection rather than merely in-group biases, shaping definitions of age-appropriate behavior while also restricting developmental options. Dr. Rothermund called for a more nuanced understanding of age stereotypes and their effects on lifespan development.

His visit left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of examining age stereotypes in both academic and practical applications.

The recorded presentation is available here.