The Effects of Education and Direct Contact on Explicit and Implicit Attitudes Towards Older People A submission presented in partial fulfilment of therequirements of the University of Glamorgan/Prifysgol Morgannwgfor the degree of Doctor of Philosophy April 2011Paul NashUniversity of GlamorganAcknowledgementsAt times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.(Albert Schweitzer Theologian)As I am sure is the case for all PhD candidates, upon reflection a doctorate is just as much about the process as it is about the completed product. The journey to completion has encompassed both good times -that I will remember forever because they were aplenty, and not-so-good times- that I will remember forever because of the unwavering support I have received. This assiduous hike would have remained untrodden had it not been for the tremendous help and support I gratefully received from many individuals as highlighted below.Prof. Ian Stuart-Hamilton, my Director of Studies, deserves special thanks. Not only has he provided continued academic support and advice but he has always had the right words of encouragement (most of which could not be repeated), given when needed most. Dr Peter Mayer, as my Second Supervisor, has acted as mediator and voice of reason when Prof. Stuart-Hamilton and I have been swept away at tangents intangible to anyone else. Without him I fear this thesis may have reflected a somewhat chaotic mindset. As a friend, confidante and academic sounding board Dr Rachel Taylor has never failed to be there for me both at times when requested but more often than not without any request being needed. Without the support of these three fantastic individuals I would not have known where to start, where to finish or which path to take to get there. Thank you.Data collected in this thesis has been the culmination of efforts from a number of people. Without Jill Kneath-Jones in the nursing school at the University of Glamorgan, my access to the Nursing students population would have been impossible. She has provided continued support for the duration of the longitudinal study and for this I am truly thankful. Thanks are also extended to the University of Glamorgan and the Aneurin Bevan Health Board who have facilitated data collection at different stages of the thesis. I would also like to extend my thanks to all of my participants without whose time, none of this would have been possible.In addition to the academic side of the PhD, my friends and family have provided support and understanding from the first days of proposal writing until the final edits before submission. I have a plethora of friends who have shown understanding when things have been hard for me. I cannot mention by name all of those who have supported me, however, special mention needs to be given to Katy Walden, Joe Draper and Dr Ian Pepper. Katy is a true ray of light, always there with a smile so infectious you cant help but have your mood lightened by her. Joe has more recently been of support; functionally looking after me when I have been writing, ensuring that I have remained fed, watered and that a life exists outside the thesis. Ian has been there to boost my confidence and ensured that I take a realistic perspective on all things academic and personal. He has been my most ardent supporter and my fiercest critic, but above all else I know I can count on him. Thanks for keeping me sane!Foremost however, my family have been the one constant source of support from undergraduate through post graduate studies. Despite their geographical distance I couldnt feel closer to them. My Parents have provided financial and emotional support, never questioning my chosen path, simply ensuring they have been with me at every turn. My sister has always been close to me, knowing me better than many others and as such her understanding and guidance has been invaluable. Without my family I would not have been able to get this far and it is with their continued strength that I strive to go much further. I have mentioned but a few, however, my thanks extend to many others whom it would be impossible to name individually. Each and every one of these people has rekindled that spark within me in their own way and without that help this accomplishment would not have been half as sweet.Table of ContentsPageList of Tables 9List of Figures .9Chapter OneAttitudes 10Implicit Attitudes . 15Chapter TwoThe Implicit Association Test . 20Predicting Behaviour 28Chapter ThreePrejudice . 34Stereotypes