Abstract
Rationality and elderly. This study examined the influence of age on people's rationality. Four samples participated: a sample of 230 old people from the community (over 65 years old), a group of 280 younger adults (age ranging from 18 to 50 years old), a group of 153 parents (age ranging from 21 to 52 years old), and a group of 226 students (age ranging from 18 to 39 years old). All the participants completed the Irrational Belief Test. The results showed that, although old people were more rational in some of the beliefs (Emotional Irresponsibility and Helplessness about Changing), they were more irrational with regard to Self-Expectations and Blaming. Gender effect was studied and results showed that men scored higher in Blaming and Perfectionism both among old people and young people. Indeed, older women showed less irrationality than older men in High Self-Expectations and Need of Approval.
