How age-of-death and mode-of-death impact perceptions of the deceased. Issue 8 (14th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bolt, Emily Lena Wight; Corbin Dwyer, Sonya; Buckle, Jennifer L.; Zendel, Benjamin Rich
• Is Part Of: Death studies. Volume 43:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 489
• Page End: 499
• Publication Date: 2019-09-14
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Death -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2018.1488774
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-1187

Abstract

Abstract: The goal of the current study was to explore how age-of-death (AOD) and mode-of-death MOD simultaneously influence ratings of sympathy, empathy, and tragedy toward the deceased in order to assess social value. Three hundred and fifty-eight participants, mainly undergraduates, responded to a series of vignettes that described a MOD (suicide, accident, or stroke) counterbalanced with three AODs (younger, middle-aged, and older). Overall, ratings of sympathy, empathy, and tragedy declined as AOD increased; however, the effect of AOD was not consistent across all MODs. The pattern of results suggests that death norms and perceived control of death impact the perception of the deceased.