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Originally Posted by Turner2099
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The republicans have an old white person problem.
The science behind why old white people exhibit racism.
https://www.sciencealert.com/older-p...ose-inhibition
Here's Why Older People Can Seem More Racist – It's Not Just Their Upbringing
The reasons for racism are probably psychological; feeling a lack of security, a need for identity, a desire for belonging, and feeling threatened by other groups - insecurities that may increase as someone gets older.
One reason in particular for this insecurity is that older people are closer to death, said Steve Taylor, a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University.
There's a theory in psychology called terror management theory, he explained, and it essentially means that when people are more aware of their mortality, they become more naturalistic, materialistic, and conventional.
"They cling to the traditions and the conventions of their society in a stronger way," Taylor said.
"The theory is when you think of death it creates a fear, and one way of reacting to that anxiety is to cling to identity, to try and gain a sense of belonging, or even a sense of protection."
For some, that comfort of belonging is found in the solidarity of hating others. Psychotherapist Allison Abrams told Business Insider people who relate to a hate group, such as neo-nazis, form strong bonds based on resentment.
"It's a distorted way to find a sense of belonging, but that's one thing that motivates people who fall into this category," she said.
When people look or act differently to you, or come from somewhere else, it can be easier to use them as a scapegoat, by identifying them as a target to direct that anger and hatred towards.
Older people may feel their sense of identity is threatened if the world around them has changed a lot, such as when people from different countries and backgrounds move into their hometowns.
They may struggle to keep up with the world and feel as though they understand it less and less. This can be scary, and in retaliation, they may lash out at "the other" because it helps secure their sense of belonging.
Brains atrophy as we age
As people age, their flexibility declines, and they are less able to adapt and absorb like they could when they were young.
"When you're older, your mental structure is a bit more rigid, so you struggle to adapt in the same way," said Taylor.
"And if you can't adapt it creates a sense of alienation, a sense of being overwhelmed and not fitting in."
Research has shown that older adults have a tendency to be more prejudiced than their younger counterparts, even when they appear unprejudiced throughout their earlier lives.
This wouldn't make sense if people were only reacting to what they experienced when they were young.
Instead, the reasons could be biological. Abrams said the latest scientific theory for this is because areas of the brain going through changes as we age.
"Our prefrontal cortex starts to atrophy," she said. "In other words, the frontal lobes lose their sharpness."
That's the part of our brain that control executive functioning, like our ability to reason, to use logic and judgement, to apply filters, and inhibit inappropriate thoughts.
