Senjooti Roy

Bio: Senjooti Roy is an academic researcher from Bar-Ilan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Climate change. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 9 citations.

Age and Gender Stereotypes Reflected in Google’s “Autocomplete” Function: The Portrayal and Possible Spread of Societal Stereotypes

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Google's autocomplete function provides "predictors" to enable quick completion of intended search terms. The predictors reflect the search trends of a population; they capture societal beliefs and perceptions about a variety of subjects. This study explores the predictors provided by Google United States when searching for information about older men and women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Google search engine of the United States was used to record predictors in response to 720 search terms. Inductive content analysis method was used to categorize and interpret the results. RESULTS There was prevalence of age and gender stereotypes in the predictors offered by Google. Queries about older men were primarily associated with romance and sexuality whereas those for older women centered on changes in the body as well as sexual and reproductive health. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS The appearance of such predictors in response to a potential search query may lead to the spread of harmful stereotypes about older adults.

"Goodness and kindness": Long distance caregiving through volunteers during the COVID-19 lockdown in India.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES The first Covid-19 lockdown in India was announced on March 24, 2020, with less than 4 hours' notice, leaving older adults without access to domestic help and paid caregivers. As traditional caregiving models ceased to function in the new setup, relatives of older adults turned to strangers and volunteers in an effort to provide urgent care to their older family members. This study explores the role of volunteers in meeting the immediate needs of older adults during the lockdown. METHODS A pan-India group of volunteers was formed during the lockdown on a popular social media website to connect people of all ages in need of help with those able to offer assistance. A sample of 242 messages pertaining to older adults was extracted for quantitative content analysis. RESULTS All but 2 requests were placed by adult relatives of older adults. Requests covered a number of needs, some of which were directly tied to the pandemic and lockdown, while others were general in nature but were greatly exacerbated by recent events. DISCUSSION The use of social media to encourage acts of kindness at a time of crisis was an innovative attempt to meet the immediate needs of older adults. The lockdown, however, exposed the lack of dedicated supports and services for older adults in India.

A scoping review of research on older people and intergenerational relations in the context of climate change.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In view of the inherited temporal dimension of climate change, this study aims to highlight diverse intergenerational effects and coping strategies by examining the state of literature on older people and intergenerational relations in the context of climate change. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A scoping review of peer-reviewed scientific literature was conducted. We searched the following bibliographical datasets: PubMed, Web of Science, and APA PsycNet in addition to a snowballing search based on Google Scholar. The primary search was conducted between September 22, 2021 and September 26, 2021, using variations of the search terms: older people AND intergenerational AND climate change. Two independent raters classified the articles using pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS In total, 20 articles were maintained for data extraction. Articles reflect two poles in relation to older people and intergenerational relations in the context of climate change. The first emphasizes intergenerational conflicts and differences, whereas the second stresses solidarity and transmission of knowledge and practices between the generations. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Both older and younger people are affected by age-based discrimination in the context of climate change. Generational differences in energy consumption and attitudes towards climate change exist. Nonetheless, these can be overcome by stressing the solidarity between the generations and the ability of older people to contribute to the climate change movement as well as by the ability of both young and old to transmit knowledge and practices related to sustainability.

Scoping Review on Ageism against Younger Populations

Abstract: Systematic efforts have been carried out to study ageism against older populations. Less is known about ageism against younger populations, including how it is defined, how it manifests, its effects, and how it can be addressed. A scoping review was conducted aimed at identifying available evidence on these topics. A comprehensive search strategy was used across thirteen databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Records were screened by two independent reviewers. Data extraction was done by one rater and independently reviewed by a second rater. Of the 9270 records identified, 263 were eligible for inclusion. Most of the evidence focused on the manifestation of ageism (86%), followed by a focus on the determinants of ageism (17%), available interventions to address ageism (9%), and the effects of ageism (5%). This study points to the inconsistent terminology used to describe ageism against younger populations and the relatively limited theoretical rationale that guides existing studies. It also highlights key research gaps and points to the strengths of existing research.

The Role of Ageism in Climate Change Worries and Willingness to Act

Abstract: This study examined the association of negative ageist prescriptive expectations regarding older people with worries about climate change and willingness to act. An online survey was completed by 250 Australians over the age 18. Higher levels of ageism (e.g., negative prescriptive views towards older people) were associated with fears about the impact of climate change on one’s life, worries about the impact of climate change on older members of the family, and willingness to pay higher taxes to fight climate change. Holding more negative prescriptive views towards older people can serve as an incentive to act and at the same time carries an emotional negative valence associated with concerns and worries about the impact of climate change. Although willingness to act and concerns about climate change may inspire adaptation and mitigation efforts, it is important to ensure that they are not tied to ageism.

New directions for adult and continuing education, no. 93, Spring 2002

Abstract: 'New directions for adult and continuing education', published quarterly, is part of The Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. This issue, entitled 'Contemporary viewpoints on teaching adults effectively' brings together the perspectives of nine experts on teaching adults. The chapters are: 'Good teaching: one size fits all?' by Daniel D. Pratt (p. 5-15) which cautions against a one-size fits all approach to teaching adults; 'Teaching style: where are we now?' by Joe E. Heimlich and Emmalou Norland (p. 17-25) which reminds the readers that there is no one single approach to teaching and that understanding one's teaching style can serve as a basis for the improvement of instruction; 'The role of the teacher as mentor' by Lois J. Zachary (p. 27-38) which explores the relationship between the roles of mentor and teacher, points out that these two roles are not synonymous and describes key dimensions of effective mentoring; 'Race matters: the unspoken variable in the teaching-learning transaction' by Juanita Johnson-Bailey (p. 39-49) which points to the importance of examining and understanding race as a variable which affects the teaching and learning transaction; 'Teaching all learners as if they are special' by Nancy F. Gadbow (p. 51-61) which considers special learning needs of adult learners and examines effective strategies and technologies that can be employed to meet these special needs; 'Teaching for transformation' by Patricia Cranton (p. 63-71) which provides a brief synopsis of transformative learning theory, seven facets of the transformative learning process as well as teaching strategies designed to promote each of these facets; 'Quantum learning: teaching as dialogue' by Jane Vella (p. 73-83) which examines the relationship between teaching and learning, beginning with a definition of quantum learning and then outlining the dialogue approach to quantum learning; 'Effective teaching of adults: themes and conclusions' by Jovita M. Ross-Gordon (p. 85-91) which integrates information from the previous chapters and discusses the underlying themes and issues related to effective teaching of adults.

Societal Narratives on Caregivers in Asia.

Abstract: Although there has been an increase in awareness of the struggles experienced by caregivers, discourse on caregiving remains confined mostly to academia, policy circles or the family unit. There have been suggestions that public discourse on informal caregiving dwells overwhelmingly on the outsize toll it takes on the health of caregivers. However, few studies have examined societal narratives on caregivers—a gap our study aims to fill. We leveraged an online media database of 12 billion words collated from over 30 million articles to explore societal narratives on caregivers in six Asian countries. Computational linguistics and statistical analysis were applied to study the content of narratives on caregivers. The prevalence of societal narratives on caregivers was highest in Singapore—five times higher than Sri Lanka, which evidenced the lowest prevalence. Findings reveal that the inadequacies of institutional care as well as the need to train and empower caregivers are pressing issues that need to be prioritized on the policy agenda in Asia. Of broader significance, the diverse capabilities across Asia present opportunities for cross-country learning and capacity-building.

Brief exposure to social media during the COVID-19 pandemic: Doom-scrolling has negative emotional consequences, but kindness-scrolling does not.

Abstract: People often seek out information as a means of coping with challenging situations. Attuning to negative information can be adaptive because it alerts people to the risks in their environment, thereby preparing them for similar threats in the future. But is this behaviour adaptive during a pandemic when bad news is ubiquitous? We examine the emotional consequences of exposure to brief snippets of COVID-related news via a Twitter feed (Study 1), or a YouTube reaction video (Study 2). Compared to a no-information exposure group, consumption of just 2-4 minutes of COVID-related news led to immediate and significant reductions in positive affect (Studies 1 and 2) and optimism (Study 2). Exposure to COVID-related kind acts did not have the same negative consequences, suggesting that not all social media exposure is detrimental for well-being. We discuss strategies to counteract the negative emotional consequences of exposure to negative news on social media.