THE EFFECTS OF THE AGE-TYPE OF TASKS AND INCUMBENT AGE COMPOSITION ON JOB PERCEPTIONS

Previous research indicates that bias in decisions regarding older workers can be reduced by altering a decision-maker's perceptions of the job. However, we know little about what factors contribute to job perceptions. In the present study, two variables were manipulated in order to assess their influence on overall job perceptions and job worth: the age composition of incumbents and the age-type of job content (tasks). We hypothesized that as the proportion of older workers in a job increased, the job would be rated as older, and that as the proportion of older tasks in a job description increased, ratings of the worth of the job would be significantly higher. Results supported both hypotheses. The results are discussed in relation to systematic differences in decisions regarding job stereotype and job worth. © 1990.