Perceived and actual ages of workers

An inventory investigating the perceived average age of people employed in various occupations was administered to 150 respondents. The results suggest that certain occupations are perceived as occupied by relatively young individuals and others by older workers. Subjects' perceptions of the average age of people employed in various occupations were found to be basically in agreement with the actual age of workers in the occupations listed on the questionnaire. The data also revealed significant relationships between the age of the respondent and perceived average age of workers. The results are discussed in terms of the implications they provide for future research focused on the assessment of age stereotypes of occupations.