What were the most significant findings in each study?
In study one, statistics were composed of all the subjects, divided by gender. Overall, their conclusion from the study was that women had a more positive outlook on aging and becoming elderly, as well as more respect or idolization of older citizens. When asked to draw their portrayal of an older person, they, like the men, drew mostly their own gender, but they drew them far more happier, healthier, or content. Their idea of when becoming elderly was also more generous, while men found it to be earlier in life. Women also had more anxiety toward losing beauty and cognitive abilities with age, though that did not entirely affect their perception.
In study two, it was found that most of the older people were now at a point of self-reflection. They were either regretting aspects of their life (not marrying, having children, letting time slip away, etc) or rejoicing in what time they had left (becoming more connected with family, trying to use their time wisely, deciding how to spend the rest of their life). Some found time to pass more slowly, others more quickly, and there were opposites and parallels in perception.
How did the authors approach the study of aging differently?
The author of study one was focused on a younger person's expectations of what was to come in aging and becoming an elderly person. They wanted to show, statistically, how the genders perceived growing old, their ideas of its beginning, and how they would most likely be, positively or negatively, when they became elderly.
The author of the second study, however, was focusing on different perspectives for those fifteen subjects who had already reached old age, and the different conflicts that arose. Were they more connected with their spouses and children, or did they feel as if they had lost a lot in not having any? There were opposites and parallels in the fifteen that testified, and the two articles together almost showed an expectation versus reality situation.