Scale-Description

The ATOPS is a self-report scale designed to assess individuals’ attitudes toward older adults. It was created to measure social perceptions and stereotypes related to aging, allowing researchers to understand how people view older individuals in various aspects, such as social value, physical and psychological state, and their role in society.

Data Analysis and Use

The data obtained from using ATOPS can be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively:

Quantitative Analysis: Each question is based on a Likert scale (usually 5 or 7 points), ranging from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree.” The total score is derived from the sum or average of the individual questions, with higher scores indicating a more positive attitude toward older adults and lower scores indicating a more negative attitude.

Qualitative Analysis: This can involve analyzing responses to open-ended questions (if present), as well as examining how demographic variables such as age, gender, and occupation affect attitudes.

The scale can be used for:

Research aimed at studying stereotypes about older adults.

Evaluating educational programs for awareness about aging issues.

Clinical studies exploring the relationship between attitudes and the quality of care for older adults.

Purpose

The primary goal of ATOPS is to provide a reliable and valid measure of attitudes toward older adults, facilitating the understanding of social biases and stereotypes. This helps:

Study the impact of these attitudes on health policies and social services.

Promote intervention programs to reduce negative stereotypes and biases.

Calibration

The scale is typically calibrated based on data from various groups such as students, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The psychometric evaluation of ATOPS includes measuring:

Internal Consistency: How well the questions on the scale measure the same underlying characteristic.

Reliability: The consistency of responses when the scale is used at different times.

Comparison with Other Scales: To ensure the validity of ATOPS, scores are compared with those from other similar scales that measure attitudes toward older adults.

References

Kogan, N. (1961). Attitudes toward old people: The development of a scale and an examination of correlates. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology. The original study describing the development of ATOPS.

Tuckman, J. & Lorge, I. (1953). Attitudes toward old people. Journal of Social Psychology. An early study on social attitudes and biases toward older adults.

Chasteen, A. L., Schwarz, N., & Park, D. C. (2002). The activation of aging stereotypes in younger and older adults. Journal of Gerontology. This study examines aging stereotypes and how they are shaped in different age groups.