Dr. Klaus Rothermund Brings Fresh Insights on Age Stereotypes to SFU's Gerontology Department

On October 30, the Gerontology Department at Simon Fraser University 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 SFU’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.

Dr. Klaus Rothermund 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.