Abstract:

Tested were hypotheses that older age segments will show higher preference than younger age segments for: (1) visiting with friends & relatives via cable; (2) performing civic & state functions via cable; & (3) receiving electronically originated print information via cable. Surveys were conducted with representative samples of adults in Los Angeles County (number of cases = 160) & San Mateo County (number of cases = 483), Calif. Samples were trichotomized into young (15-29), middle (30-59), & older (60+) age groups. As expected, older persons had a significantly higher preference for two-way interaction with friends in both samples. Expected age difference in preference for civic & state functions were significant in Los Angeles but not San Mateo. Possible reasons are discussed. Expected age differences for print information, with data available only in the Los Angeles sample, were significant. It is noted that age differences found in cross-sectional studies cannot be taken as actual aging changes.