A young adult believes that elderly people are terrible drivers. He never allows himself to be given a ride by anyone over age 55. This young adult will continue to believe that the elderly are poor drivers due, in part, to the effect of

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Behavioral confirmation is a type of self-fulfilling prophecy whereby people's social expectations lead them to behave in ways that cause others to confirm their expectations. In this case, the young adult's belief that elderly people are terrible drivers leads him to avoid riding with them, thus he never has the opportunity to see evidence that could contradict his belief, reinforcing his initial stereotype.  People fill in missing data with information from their stereotypes. Their own actions may cause people to act in ways that are consistent with the stereotype. If he is forced to ride with an elderly member of the family, his own anxiety may cause the elderly person to drive poorly.

A Young Adult Believes That Elderly People Are Terrible Drivers