Page No 348-357
Krishna Kumar Mishra
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Based on the idea of social cognitive theory, a study was designed to explore the effect
of age on optimism of people with individualistic and collectivistic orientations. A crosssection study was conducted with 426 participants of 15-70 years age. Life orientation test
– Revised (Scheier et al. 1994) was used to assess the level of optimism of respondents.
To assess the cultural orientation of respondents Individualism-collectivism Measure by
Mishra was used. A personal demographic profile of the participants was also maintained.
Analysis of data shows a significant age effect on the level of optimism of respondents. No
significant difference was found in the level of optimism between people with individualistic
and collectivistic orientations. It was revealed that respondents from 25-30 years age
group with collectivistic orientations displayed highest level of optimism among all age
groups. Results of study will be evaluated under the circumference of theoretical and
empirical evidences.
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