Figure 1
The model shows multiple rectangular text boxes connected by curved and straight arrows. On the left side, a heading reads “Key actors in the process”, below which three vertically arranged text boxes appear: the top box is labeled “Perpetrator” and contains the text “Sets negative example for others”, the middle box is labeled “Target” and contains the text “Experiences direct discrimination”, and the bottom box is labeled “Bystander” and contains the text “Critical role in perpetuation or intervention” followed by the text “Most influential in norm formation”. At the bottom left, a heading reads “Intervention Opportunities”, below which a text box labeled “Breaking the cycle” contains the text “By reinforcing positive behaviours”. To the right, a circular process is depicted with four text boxes arranged in a loop: at the top, a box labeled “Observation” contains the text “(Witnessing age based discrimination or bias)” and connects by a curved clockwise direction arrow to a box on the right labeled “Modelling” containing the text “(Sensemaking ageist behaviours and attitudes)”, which connects by a curved clockwise direction arrow to a box at the bottom labeled “Normalization” containing the text “(Accepting bias as ‘normal’ workplace behaviour)”, which connects by a curved clockwise direction arrow to a box on the left labeled “Reinforcement” containing the text “(Perpetuating and spreading ageist behaviours)”, and a curved clockwise direction arrow connects “Reinforcement” back to “Observation”. Below the circular process, two diagonal arrows emerge from “Normalization”, with the left arrow labeled “If ageism exist” pointing to a box labeled “Perpetuation of Ageism” containing the text “(Discriminatory norms solidify)”, and the right arrow labeled “If ageism doesn’t exist” pointing to a box labeled “Age inclusive culture” containing the text “(Inclusive norms established)”.Social cognitive mechanisms: How Social Learning Perpetuates Ageism, Source: Authors' own work