Terror Management Theory (TMT)

Old people = reflection of future self

Chonody, J. M., & Teater, B. (2016). Why do I dread looking older?: a test of social identity theory, terror management, and the double standard of aging. Journal of Women & Aging, 28(2), 112-126. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2014.950533

Greenberg, J., Schimel, J., & Martens, A. (2002). Ageism: denying the face of the future. In T. D. Nelson (Ed.), Ageism: stereotyping and prejudice against older persons (pp. 27-48). The MIT Press.

Martens, A., Greenberg, J., Schimel, J., & Landeau, M. J. (2004). Ageism and death: effects of mortality salience and perceived similarity to elders on reactions to elderly people. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30(12), 1524-1536. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0146167204271185.

Martens, A., Goldenberg, J. L., & Greenberg, J. (2005). A terror management perspective on ageism. Journal of Social Issues, 61(2), 223-239. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00403.x.

Wiseman, A., Heflick, N., & Goldenberg, J. L. (2015). The great escape: the role of self-esteem and self-regulation cognition in terror management. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 60, 121-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2015.05.006.

To attain symbolic or literal immortality…

Chonody, J. M., & Teater, B. (2016). Why do I dread looking old?: A test of social identity theory, terror management theory, and the double standard of ageing. Journal of Women & Aging, 28(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2014.950533

Goldenberg, J. L., Pyszcynski, T., Greenberg, J., & Sheldon, S. (2004). Fleeing the body: A terror management perspective on the problem of human corporeality. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 4(3), 200-218. https://doi.org/10.1207%2FS15327957PSPR0403_1

Muise, A., & Desmarais, S. (2010). Women’s Perceptions and Use of “Anti-Aging” Products. Sex Roles, 63, 126-137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9791-5

Pyszcynski, T., Solomon, S., & Greenberg, J. (2015). Chapter one – Thirty years of terror management theory: From genesis to revelation. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 52,1-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aesp.2015.03.001

Terror management theory = death anxiety

Becker, E. (1973). The denial of death. New York: Free Press.

Greenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T., Solomon, S., Simon, L., & Breus, M. (1994). Role of consciousness and accessibility of death-related thoughts in mortality salience effects. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 627-637. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-3514.67.4.627.

Landau, M. J. & Greenberg, J. (2006). Play it safe or go for the gold? A terror management perspective on self-enhancement and protective motives in risky decision making. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 1633-1645. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0146167206292017.

Wiseman, A., Heflick, N., & Goldenberg, J. L. (2015). The great escape: the role of self-esteem and self-related cognition in terror management. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 60, 121-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2015.05.006.