Defying the Stereotype of Older Adults？：Understanding the Image of “Older Adults and Social Media” on Online News and Facebook through Content Analysis

• Main Authors: Li, Chia-Yun, 李嘉昀
• Other Authors: Yu, Rebecca Ping
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/672s52

碩士 === 國立交通大學 === 客家學院傳播與科技學系碩士班 === 107 === This study uses Stereotype Content Models and Successful Aging Models as theoretical frameworks to examine how “older adults and social media” related content was portrayed in online news and Facebook from 2015 to 2017 through the content analysis method. There are three research questions. First, the study investigates how “older adults and social media” related content varies by topic, gender, role prominence, and stereotype content (competence and warmth) and elements of successful aging, and whether these representations differ by news and social media. Second, the study explores the relationship between the topic, gender, and role prominence of the “older adults and social media” related content and stereotype content and elements of successful aging. Lastly, as the “elderly graphics” are closely related to the topic of “older adults and social media,” this study analyzes how the meanings of “elderly graphics” varies in different contexts. There are three major research findings. First, from the framework of Stereotype Content Models, results show that in “older adults and social media” related content, older adults are portrayed as competent and warm, which defies the traditional stereotypes of older adults—warm but incompetent. Second, through the lens of Successful Aging Models, findings show that “older adults and social media” related content is associated with the elements of successful aging, suggesting that older adults may experience successful aging through social media use. Finally, “elderly graphics” can be divided into six categories: (1) popular and fun (2) correct information and sharing (3) old school style (4) overflowing message (5) warmth (6) rumors. However, the true meaning of the “elderly graphics” can be interpreted differently, depending on the senders’ motivation and the recipients’ attitudes towards the senders.