Pre-service teachers’ perception of age through a developmental lens

Abstract

The present study examined the perception of aging among a cohort of pre-service teachers undertaking an undergraduate degree in primary school education. Using a self-reported questionnaire adapted from the work of Rubin and Berntsen, 331 undergraduate students were asked a series of questions relating to their perceptions of aging. It was concluded that younger pre-service teachers held a more positive perception of aging than older pre-service teachers. Younger pre-service teachers seemed to display a greater level of optimism toward future life experiences, eager to explore their world and make new relationships, than were older aged students.