What term, coined by Robert N. Butler, refers to prejudice and discrimination against the elderly?

The term coined by Robert N. Butler that refers to prejudice and discrimination against the elderly is ageism. Ageism encompasses a range of negative attitudes, beliefs, and discriminatory practices directed at individuals based solely on their age, particularly against older adults. This concept highlights how societal perceptions can devalue older individuals, viewing them as incapable or less worthy because of their age.

By defining this phenomenon, Butler aimed to bring attention to the stereotypes and biases that contribute to the marginalization of older people, prompting discussions on how to combat these negative perceptions in both individual attitudes and broader societal norms.

Other terms in the options may describe related but distinct concepts. For instance, gerontophobia refers specifically to the fear of the elderly, which does not encompass the broader scope of attitude and discrimination carried by ageism. Seniorism is indeed a term that is also used in some contexts to refer to discrimination based on age but is less widely recognized than ageism. Elder abuse denotes mistreatment or neglect of older adults and is a specific action rather than the underlying attitude associated with ageism. Therefore, ageism stands out as the most comprehensive and widely acknowledged term for this type of prejudice.