Evaluations of Overhelping and Underhelping Communication

Older adults and persons with disability experience communication predicaments involving inappropriate help. In a retail setting, the authors examined the meanings of overhelping and underhelping and how these may be affected by the recipient's age and (dis)ability status. Young adults ( n= 221) were presented with a picture of either a young or an older target seated in an armchair or a wheelchair. Participants then read three different …