Great Myths of Aging

If you think aging is all about memory loss, hearing aids, and walkers—think again. Most of what society tells us about aging and older adulthood is simply not true for most people. Armed with the most up–to–date research and scientific evidence, Great Myths of Aging dispels the myriad myths, misconceptions, and “anti–aging” stereotypes. The authors explore the origins and evolution of the common stereotypes about the elderly, both the negative ones (old people are withdrawn and grouchy) as well as the positive ones (with age comes wisdom). While writing with humor and verve, the authors also highlight the serious side of our unexamined beliefs: that deep hurt and damage can be caused when we take these myths as true. Great Myths of Aging sets the record straight on the elderly by revealing how so much of the stereotypical thinking on the topic is, well, getting old.  

Joan T. Erber is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Florida International University.  She is the author of Adult Development and Aging , 3 rd edition (Wiley, 2013). Dr. Erber is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the Association for Psychological Science (APS), and the American Psychological Association (APA).   Lenore T. Szuchman is a developmental psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Barry University. She is the author of Writing with Style: APA Style Made Easy , and co–editor of Psychological Perspectives on Human Sexuality .