Introduction to the Section: Ageism—Concept and Origins

This book is about ageism. Ageism is manifested in the way we think, feel and act towards age and ageing. It is directed towards people of any age group and can be both positive and negative. But- in this book our focus is on the complex and often negative construction of old age. The book includes four different sections: the concept and origins of ageism, the manifestations and consequences of ageism, interventions to target ageism and ways to research ageism. The present introductory chapter concerns the development of the concept of ageism and micro-, meso- and macro-level theories on the occurence of ageism.