The object of research : there are representations as a subjective cognitive construction that reflects generalized-abstract representations of reality and oneself. The purpose: consists in the theoretical substantiation and empirical study of changes in representations of aging in the human mind. Methods: In order to solve the research problems in the work used: theoretical methods, methods of psychological diagnosis and methods of mathematical data processing. Theoretical: problem-logical method, induction, analysis, synthesis, abstraction, generalization, systematization, classification, used to determine the theoretical foundations and the state of development of the problem of changes in representations of aging in human consciousness, psychological, psychological and psychological literature, etc. Methods of psychological diagnostics: questionnaire of readiness for age changes (NS Glukhanyuk, TB Gershkovich), integral index of social well-being (EI Golovakha, NV Panina, AP Gorbachyk), WHO welfare scale (WNO), scale of general self-efficacy (GSES R. Schwarzer and M. Jerusalem, adaptation by II Galetskaya), SACS questionnaire by S. Hobfall, author's method of semantic differential. Methods of mathematical statistics: calculation of descriptive statistics, one-factor analysis of variance, multidimensional deployment, Pearson's correlation coefficient r, simple and multiple linear regression analysis. Mathematical analysis of empirical data was performed using statistical software packages IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0.0, IBM SPSS Amos 23.0.0, and R 3.5.0. Novelty : for the first time: changes in consciousness in representations of "old age" and "elderly person" during adulthood are studied; the relationship between the representations of old age and the elderly is clarified; it is proposed to define the phenomenon of "unrealistic idea of old age" as a set of positive representations that are superficial and unrealistic in nature and can be harmful to the elderly; demonstrated that the readiness to accept age-related changes is a positive attitude, accompanied by productive coping strategies and vice versa; there is no increase in readiness at the motivational level of active search for productive strategies for adaptation to change; it is specified that with age the physiological, cognitive components of readiness for age changes increase; women are more willing to accept age-related changes; a positive image of an elderly person is absent in the minds of people in early adulthood; in middle adulthood begins to realize the fact of reduced activity in the elderly; the prospect of social insecurity is felt by respondents aged 40-55. The branch: psychology.
