Work

The Dynamic Effects of Age-Related Stereotype Threat on Explicit and Implicit Memory Performance in Older Adults

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: While an awareness of age-related changes in memory may help older adults gain insight into their own cognitive abilities, it may also have a negative impact on memory performance through a mechanism of stereotype threat (ST). The consequence of ST is under-performance in abilities related to the stereotype. Here, we examined the degree to which explicit and implicit memory were affected by ST across a wide age-range. We found that explicit memory was affected by ST, but only in an Early Aging group (mean age 67.83), and not in a Later Aging group (mean age 84.59). Implicit memory was not affected in either the Early or Later Aging group. These results demonstrate that ST for age-related memory decline affects memory processes requiring controlled retrieval while sparing item encoding. Furthermore, this form of ST appears to dissipate as aging progresses. These results have implications for understanding psychological development across the span of aging.

Source: Social Cognition

DOI: 10.1521/soco.2014.32.6.559

Authors: Teal S. Eich, Kou Murayama, Alan D. Castel, Barbara J. Knowlton

Institutions: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Reading

Language: English

Topic: Aging and Gerontology Research

Subfield: Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2145100170